Utility Forester: Associate - Senior

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

Benefits offered by this job

Arborist certification desirable

Certified Pesticide Applicator license

Job summary

American Electric Power in McAlester, Oklahoma, seeks a Utility Forester Analyst Associate through Senior levels to lead vegetation management on rights‑of‑way, ensure contract compliance, and secure access for repairs and inspections.

You will patrol lines, coordinate with landowners, estimate requirements and costs, develop short and long term work plans, supervise contractors, maintain records, and train others in proper procedures; travel and overtime are part of the role, with a 35‑mile

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or 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

• Patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and coordinate access with landowners for vegetation management.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of facilities.
• Determine future vegetation management requirements and recommend short and long-term work plans and best management practices.
• Coordinate with governmental agencies, other utilities, landowners to arrange vegetation management work plans.
• Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for contract compliance; recommend actions.
• Recommend work plans, priorities, schedules and contractor requirements in line with the vegetation management program.
• Apply and keep informed of current contract provisions.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production and work quality; operate forestry software and records systems.
• Guide and train others involved with the vegetation management program in proper work practices and procedures.
• Communicate with employees, customers and the public in a courteous and proper manner.

Skills

GIS proficiency

Microsoft Office

Contract management

Landowner coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or related field

Associate's degree in related field

High school diploma with 6 years experience

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Posting End Date

10-14-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

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 Utility Forester Analyst Associate (SG5) with increased requirements for the Utility Forester (SG6) and Utility Forester Sr (SG7) level.

What You’ll Do:

• After training, 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.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
• 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 contract compliance, recommending acceptance or corrective action.
• With assistance, recommend work plans, priorities, schedules and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
• 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.
• Must have the ability to communicate with employees, customers and the general public in a courteous and proper manner.

Other Requirements

• Work Hours/Travel Requirements: 40 hours per week with overtime and travel as required.
• Must be available for overtime callout including weekends and holidays.
• Must live within 35-mile radius/40 roadway miles of the service location

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor 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.

Other Preferences:

• License & Certificates: Knowledge and safe use of pesticides required. Arborist certification is desirable. Possession of Certified Pesticide Applicator's license is desirable.

Other:

• 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 is required.
• Extensive travel is required to inspect and plan for the Company's right-of-way maintenance program.

What You’ll Get:

Utility Forester Associate $54,063 - $81,095

Utility Forester $63,496 – $95,242

Utility Forester Senior $74,551 - $111,826

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!

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-004

Compensation Range:

$54,063.00 - $93,188.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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.