Vegetation Management Inspector - TRAQ Arborist

Sierra Forestry Consulting LLC; Redding (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Cross / Blue Shield medical

Dental Network of America

VSP vision

AD&D and term life insurance

Company vehicle for business use

Company cell phone

Job summary

Sierra Forestry Consulting LLC seeks a Vegetation Management Inspector to patrol rights-of-way, identify and prescribe tree work, and coordinate line-clearance crews along utility corridors. You will notify owners, document inspections, and ensure safe, compliant field operations while communicating clearly with clients and field teams.

The Senior VMI audits peers, supports training, and acts as a contractor liaison to resolve obstacles and maintain productivity.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Class C driver's license required.
• Ability to drive a 4x4 truck or SUV.
• ISA Certified Arborist or college degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Patrols and inspections along rights-of-way; identify and prescribe tree work.
• Notify property owners and agencies about tree work and obtain permissions.
• Audit work and assist training for Senior VMI.
• Serve as liaison to contractors to resolve obstacles and enhance safety and productivity.
• Complete documentation and reporting; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Independence

Communication

Map reading

Interpersonal skills

Tree identification

MS Office

Organization

Accountability

Overtime availability

Education

High school diploma or GED

ISA Certified Arborist

Two-year or four-year college degree in related field

Class C driver's license

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Vegetation Management Inspector (VMI) Series positions patrol for hazardous trees and perform identification, inspection, and evaluation of trees and brush along utility lines.

The VMI submits inspection results to clients with recommendations; may plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of assigned tree clearance crews; discusses and negotiates line-clearance crew access issues; and may serve as a liaison between clients, tree crews, and client customers.

Union Representation

The VMI Series positions are covered under International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245. All employees in this position are required to join the union.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform circuit patrols in accordance with the annual VM plan, VM patrol standards and processes
• Identify required tree work along the existing PG&E rights-of-way; prescribe tree work to be performed; document inspections completed
• Notify property owners and agencies when tree work will occur and obtain any necessary authorizations from the property owners/agencies to perform the tree work
• May serve as contact for new business and re-construction work
• Perform work verification inspections verifying applicable inspection and tree work completion and quality
• Perform investigation and documentation of tree-related outages and attend outage meetings as requested
• May be assigned a variety of VM Tags; perform tracking, field checking, prescribing of work, and notification of customers associated with non-routine locations
• Assist in closing out CC&B cases in the field after fielding the case
• Support emergency response, including dispatching tree crews, field checking sites, and first responder stand-by agreements
• Work independently to complete tasks assigned by the supervisor
• Support oversight of vegetation projects, including field operations such as tree assessment, tree trimming, and other work as required
• Participate in contractor safety and tailboard meetings
• Act as customer relations representative on behalf of PG&E
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations
• Complete electronic and paper-based documentation and reporting

Additional Responsibilities - Senior VMI

• Audit work performed by other, less experienced VMIs
• Assist with training of new VMIs
• Act as liaison to contractors to resolve obstacles and assist with work being performed in a safe and productive manner

Desired Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read and follow maps
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rate
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Ability to prioritize and organize, paying attention to detail for accuracy
• Accountable: accepting personal responsibility
• Ability to work additional hours and days

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Required to maintain a Class C driver's license
• Must be able to meet company driver acceptability requirements
• Ability to drive a 4x4 truck or SUV

Experience and Education Requirements

VMI Start

• One (1) year of related arboricultural experience, OR
• ISA Certified Arborist, OR
• Two-year or four-year college degree in a related field

VMI-1

• One (1) year as a Vegetation Management Inspector Start, AND
• One (1) year of related arboricultural experience, OR
• ISA Certified Arborist, OR
• Two-year or four-year college degree in a related field

Senior VMI (SVMI)

• Five (5) years of experience as a tree crew climber or tree crew foreman with at least two (2) years of line clearance certification, OR
• Five (5) years of experience as a Vegetation Management Inspector AND ISA Certified Arborist, OR
• Five (5) years of experience as a Registered Professional Forester (RPF), OR
• Five (5) years of experience as a Utility Inspector or higher classification with at least one (1) year of vegetation management experience, OR
• Four (4) years of military service with honorable discharge AND at least one (1) additional year of Vegetation Management Inspection experience

Required Training - Senior VMI

• OSHA 30-hour construction safety overview — must be completed within six (6) months of start date
• Certified Tree Safety Professional (CTSP), or ISA Certified Arborist (CA) with Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) certificate — must be completed within six (6) months of test eligibility
• 911 Standby Training — must be completed within one (1) month of start date
• Working knowledge of QA/QC — must be completed within one (1) month of start date

Working Conditions and Essential Functions

This position is physically and emotionally demanding and is performed in a heavily regulated industry subject to extensive federal oversight. The role regularly involves high-stakes decisions, difficult interpersonal situations, exposure to distressing circumstances, and sustained time pressure. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position under these conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employees must also comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations governing this role and maintain any qualifications deemed required by the Employer or its clients. Sierra Forestry Consulting LLC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law and will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing outdoors
• Prolonged periods of walking and hiking outdoors in a variety of terrain, including steep and uneven terrain
• Prolonged periods of sitting and driving a 4x4 truck and/or SUV
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at times
• Must be able to bend, lift, stretch, climb and crawl to check equipment and buildings
• Must be able to perform work in a variety of weather conditions

Benefits

Union benefits package, fully paid by Sierra Forestry Consulting:

• Blue Cross / Blue Shield medical
• Dental Network of America
• VSP vision
• AD&D and term life insurance
• Company vehicle for business use
• Company cell phone

Conditions of Employment

Employment with Sierra Forestry Consulting LLC is contingent upon satisfactorily passing applicable drug screening and background check.

SFC is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may be modified at the discretion of the Employer. This document does not create a contract of employment; employment with Sierra Forestry Consulting LLC is at will.