Utility Forester: Associate - Senior

AEP; McAlester, Northern (OK, KY); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

AEP is seeking a Utility Forester Associate to assess vegetation conditions along rights-of-way and coordinate with landowners for access. The role requires applying best management practices and maintaining records of costs and production. It offers progression through SG5/SG6/SG7 levels with travel as required.

Individuals with forestry degrees and relevant experience, plus GIS and Microsoft Office proficiency, are encouraged to apply. Expect competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or related field with 2 years of utility forester experience desired.
• Associate degree in forestry or related field with 4 years of utility vegetation management experience.
• High school diploma with 6 years of utility vegetation management experience.

Responsibilities

• Patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations.
• Maintain records of work and coordinate access to facilities with landowners.
• 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 develop short and long-term work plans.

Education

Bachelor Degree in Forestry

Associate's degree in Forestry or related field

High school diploma with experience in utility vegetation management

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 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 - $93,188.50The 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.