Transmission Forester Assoc- Sr

American Electric Power; McAlester (OK); On-site; USD 54,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Transmission Forester Associate to assign and recommend management practices for vegetation control in utility rights-of-way, ensuring contract compliance and access for repairs. The role involves inspections, aerial patrols, and coordination with landowners and contractors to maintain service reliability.

The position supports FAC-003 compliance, oversees vegetation clearing for capital projects, and may involve travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester desired, OR
• Associate's degree in one of the same fields and four (4) years’ experience in utility vegetation management industry, OR;
• High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.

Responsibilities

• Ground patrol lines and facilities after training to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations.
• Perform aerial patrol on FAC-003 compliance lines and coordinate response for imminent threats.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues; document areas where vegetation management plans are constrained.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of facilities.
• Determine future vegetation management requirements and propose short and long-term plans.

Skills

Diplomacy

Public engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field

Associate's degree in related field

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

Job Summary

Assign and recommend industry accepted management practices to provide corrective control of non-compatible vegetation conditions in utility rights of way to vegetation control contractors; inspect ongoing and completed assignments to assure contract compliance to reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service and to provide, as much as practical, access to facilities for the purpose of repair and inspection.

Job Description

This posting represents a role which can be filled at multiple levels. The description below shows the requirements for the Transmission Forester Associate (SG5) with increased requirements for the Transmission Forester (SG6) and Transmission Forester Sr (SG7) level.

The Transmission Forester Associate is responsible for assigning and recommending industry accepted management practices to provide corrective control of non-compatible vegetation conditions in utility rights of way to vegetation control contractors. This involves inspecting ongoing and completed assignments to assure contract compliance to reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service and to provide, as much as practical, access to facilities for the purpose of repair and inspection. This role will also ensure compliance with FAC-003, actively oversee vegetation clearing for capital construction, and perform aerial patrols as required for FAC-003 compliance or reliability.

What you’ll do:

• After training, ground patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations, maintain records of work, and make the necessary arrangements with landowners for vegetation management and access to facilities.
• After training, perform aerial patrol on FAC-003 compliance lines to assess vegetation to conductor distances, actively capture conditions in forestry computers during aerial patrol, and coordinate any required response for imminent threats identified during the patrol.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns; document and resolve areas where FAC-003 vegetation management plan is constrained.
• With assistance, estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
• With assistance, determine future utility vegetation management requirements and recommend short and long-term vegetation management work plans and best management practices.
• Contact governmental agencies, other utilities, landowners, and others to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans required.
• Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for safety and contract compliance, recommending acceptance or corrective action.
• With assistance, recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program and FAC-003 compliance.
• Apply and keep informed of current contract provisions.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production, and work quality. Operate the forestry computer programs and records systems
• Guide and train others involved with the vegetation management program in proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.
• With assistance, identify and schedule aerial herbicide and aerial saw vegetation management.

What we’re looking for:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester desired, OR
• Associate’s degree in one of the same fields and four (4) years’ experience in utility vegetation management industry, OR;
• High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.

License & Certificates:

• Knowledge and safe use of pesticides required.
• Arborist certification is desirable.
• Possession of Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license is desirable for each state within the forester’s area of responsibility.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification required or can obtain within two years of employment.
• Completion of an \"in the wires zone\" aerial patrol course within one year of employment.

Additional Requirements

• Must act as a professional, employing a great deal of diplomacy to sell the Company’s necessary vegetation control projects to the public.
• Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management are desirable.
• Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office components such as: Access, Excel,
• PowerPoint and Word in addition to other analytical tools are required.
• Extensive travel is required to inspect and plan for the Company’s right-of-way maintenance program.

What you’ll get:

Salary:

Transmission Forester: Assoc: $54,063-$63,703

Transmission Forester: $63,496-$74,078

Transmission Forester Sr: $74,551-$86,9776

In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company - we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you.

#SWEPCO

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-004

Compensation Range:

$54,063.00 - $93,188.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: M - Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.