Associate Forester

Summary:

Perform general oversight, work scheduling, specifications compliance, and productivity evaluations of tree clearing away from power lines and other vegetation management activities conducted by contractors and others for the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric - Contractor Services Division.

 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities: 

Assigned duties and responsibilities may include the following:

 Planning, coordinating and scheduling ongoing line clearance maintenance activities in assigned areas to meet service reliability goals and other vegetation management objectives for Line Clearance Operations and various company internal clients.Preparing work maps, recommending contracting strategies, and evaluating bid proposals for planned maintenance projects in assigned areas.Assisting various internal clients in analysis of other vegetation-related problems, development of corrective procedures, and administering unplanned maintenance projects.Monitoring and auditing contractor work activities to ensure contract compliance, evaluate job performance, and maximize productivity.Reviewing contractor invoicing as needed to ensure accuracy and approving of all invoicing for payment in assigned areas. Administering contractor activities and invoicing associated with capital construction projects.Coordinating contractor response for prompt service restoration following storms, inclusive of scheduled Forester rotation of weeklong ?on-call? duties about every nine weeks.Meeting routinely with customers to address line clearance concerns, resolve complaints/refusals, and enforce company policies and requirements. Preparing, maintaining, and/or correcting job orders in the company work management system to meet vendor invoicing and company work process administrative requirements.Supporting and monitoring line clearance activities associated with construction projects.Reviewing incoming customer trim request orders and/or complaints daily and re-routing as necessary for prompt contractor response.Providing routine cost analysis and job status reports to supervisor and internal clients for budget and work management.Working as needed with various governmental representatives to coordinate line clearance activities on public properties and ensure compliance with various governmental vegetation-related ordinances on company properties.Providing forestry knowledge and expertise as needed to support company activities.Must demonstrate commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company's Ethics and Compliance Code, and other Company policies and procedures, and take all required training courses.Must demonstrate respect for all individuals and adhere to the Company's values and business practices.

 

Additional Knowledge, Skills,  Competencies,  Certifications, and Licenses: 

Ability to utilize various mainframe and personal computer applications software (i.e. SAP, GIS, Word, Excel, Access, etc.) for general work activities and to prepare and maintain spreadsheets, databases, memorandums, and reports.



Ability to acquire and maintain a Texas Department of Agriculture: Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators license.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle and maintain a Texas Drivers License.

 

Education: 

Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry or Urban Forestry from an accredited college.

 

Experience: 

Entry level; or less than three (3) years as a Utility Line Clearance Forester administering a vegetation management program for an electric utility company.

 

Physical Requirements:

Daily work is performed both indoors and outdoors.

Outdoor work may be conducted in all types of weather conditions.

Occasionally requires work at night.

Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday ? Friday

 

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at the Company's discretion.