Utility Forester Intern - Summer 2027

American Electric Power Co.; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) invites applications for a Forestry/Vegetation Management internship in West Virginia. The role focuses on field patrols, coordinating access with landowners, budget tracking, and supporting storm restoration efforts.

Required: enrolled in a 4-year forestry or related program, willingness to travel outdoors, and valid driver’s license. Prefer GIS familiarity and MS Office skills; not eligible for sponsorship. This internship offers training and hands-on experience.

Qualifications

• Pursuing / actively enrolled in a 4-year degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, or related field.
• Willingness to travel and work outdoors, including adverse weather, with a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetation conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations; maintain records of work.
• Coordinate with landowners to obtain access and arrange vegetation management activities.
• Investigate and help resolve landowner issues and assist with the IO-13 process.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction, rebuilding, and maintenance of facilities.
• Recommend short- and long-term vegetation management work plans and best management practices.
• Contact landowners and stakeholders to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans.
• Administer and schedule forestry communications (e.g., mailings, DAVOX, postcards).
• Inspect vegetation management and work-planning contractors for contract compliance and recommend acceptance or corrective action.
• Recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
• Provide administrative support for forestry work plans by district, including tracking partner timesheets, invoices, and budget reconciliation.
• Assist with storm restoration efforts; travel and overnight stays may be required during restoration events.

Skills

Outdoor work

Communication skills

Education

Pursuing a 4-year degree in Forestry/Natural Resources/Environmental Science/Biology

Tools

GIS/GPS tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Why Join Us?
This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one! You'll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on individual projects that showcase your unique talents. We're dedicated to your growth, offering comprehensive training and development programs tailored to enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of the electric utility industry.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

• Patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetation conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations; maintain records of work.
• Coordinate with landowners to obtain access and arrange vegetation management activities.
• Investigate and help resolve landowner issues and assist with the Investigative Order (IO-13) process.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction, rebuilding, and maintenance of facilities.
• Recommend short- and long-term vegetation management work plans and best management practices.
• Contact landowners and stakeholders to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans.
• Administer and schedule forestry communications (e.g., mailings, DAVOX, postcards).
• Inspect vegetation management and work-planning contractors for contract compliance and recommend acceptance or corrective action.
• Recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
• Provide administrative support for forestry work plans by district, including tracking partner timesheets, invoices, and budget reconciliation.
• Assist with storm restoration efforts; travel and overnight stays may be required during restoration events.

What We're Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

Required:

• Pursuing / Actively enrolled in a 4 - year degree program in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, or related field.
• Ability to travel within the designated AEP service territory; willingness to work outdoors, including in adverse weather.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel/drive as required by field assignments.
• Must have completed at least your freshman year.
• Graduation date of December 2027 or later.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Willingness and ability to relocate for the summer to one of our internship locations, if necessary.
• This position is not eligible for sponsorship, OPT, or CPT.

Preferred:

• Experience with forestry field work, vegetation assessment, or right-of-way management is preferred.
• Familiarity with GIS/GPS tools and basic mapping.
• Basic knowledge of contractor oversight and safety practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Field-based role with frequent outdoor activity, walking patrols, site visits, and occasional heavy lifting (up to 25 pounds).
• Travel within the service territory; overnight stays may be required for storm restoration.
• Potential exposure to variable weather, uneven terrain, and roadside environments.

In addition to 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!

Physical Demands

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.

Why Join Us? This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one! You'll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on individual projects that showcase your unique talents. We're dedicated to your growth, offering comprehensive training and development programs tailored to enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of the electric utility industry.

Why Join Us? This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one. You'll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on meaningful projects that support AEP's mission to power the communities we serve.

Why Join Us? This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one! You'll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on individual projects that showcase your unique talents. We're dedicated to your growth, offering comprehensive training and development programs tailored to enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of the electric utility industry.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.