Distribution Forestry Specialist

We are currently seeking a Distribution Forestry Specialist to join our team. We are looking for energetic professionals who enjoy working outdoors and value the freedom of working independently.  If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and the challenges of a rewarding profession, consider a career in vegetation management with ECI. 

Some of the most important characteristics of an ECIForestry Specialist is a desire to learn, an ability to adapt, and a commitment to engage in safe, constructive interactions with the public. You are accountable for advancing a culture of safety and excellence while providing quality and value to our customers and clients.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Industry competitive pay.
• Company vehicle with fuel card to take to and from home & work.
• Medical/Health/Dental/Vision/VOYA/Vacation Accrual/Paid Holidays/EAP eligibility on day one of employment (Full-Time Employees).
• 401K, life insurance, long-term disability eligibility first of the month after 3 months of service.
• Sick Time eligibility on day 90 of employment.
• Weekly pay checks and direct deposit.
• Participation in Employee Referral Program (must meet eligibility requirements).
• Boot and clothing program (company funded).
• Ongoing training and assistance with obtaining industry certifications.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Identify opportunities for improving safety and immediately report incidents, injuries, unsafe working conditions, unsafe work processes, and potential hazards.
• Abide by ECI's Code of Safe Practices, Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Plan, and safe driving principles, practices, and policies.
• Abide by, integrate, inspire, positively influence and engage others to apply ECI's Vision, Mission, Values and Principles (VMVPs) in daily activities and decisions.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle for travel to assigned work area (locations vary)
• In advance of patrol, review work locations to identify presence of endangered species and/or sensitive habitat and vegetation.
• Review records, organize paperwork and prepare maps of circuits to be patrolled and maintain accurate maps and records of patrolled circuits.
• Safely patrol energy corridors on foot, accurately identifying vegetation to be pruned, removed, or protected to remain in compliance with Client standards and specifications.
• Prescribe International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) recommended directional pruning techniques and clearances for identified vegetation.
• Apply tree risk assessment principles and practices to accurately identify vegetation for line clearance mitigation in accordance with Client and Company directives
• Mark vegetation in accordance with Client directives 
• Identify land owner rights using handheld computer records, parcel maps, and property searches.
• Provide professional customer service, fostering positive Client, community, and agency relations.
• Explain the nature, extent and purpose of prescribed work to property owners, organizations, and/or government agencies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce vegetation workload through cost-effective and sustainable vegetation removal, clearance and cut-stump treatment prescriptions, accurate vegetation listing, and applying integrated vegetation management (IVM) principles and practices.
• Notify and obtain permission for vegetation clearing and/or tree pruning/removal by establishing contact with private/public landowners and government agencies
• Audit completed utility vegetation inspection and/or line clearance contractor field work for compliance with Client's specifications and procedures.
• Conduct tree caused outage investigations in the field, determining cause of outage and documenting findings in written report.
• Respond to and resolve customer service issues as reported through utility's call center.
• Investigate and resolve compliance issues identified through internal channels, i.e. customer or client tags/tickets, team member field observation, etc.
• When work prescribed falls outside routine inspection timeframe, coordinate with appropriate stakeholders to ensure that work request is generated and forwarded to line clearance contractor.
• At request of Supervisor or Client, contact and meet property owners to explain the trimming and/or removal of vegetation on property, i.e. "refusal customers", property identified as having good "removal candidates"
• Perform storm, post-fire, and emergency-related response work.
• Record and maintain accurate records of field data in hand held computer.
• At the request of the Client and/or ECI management, attend and participate in training, field reviews, meetings, incident investigations, and public events.
• Follow standardized office procedures, submitting all paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Accurately prepare documentation associated with vegetation management processes and follow Client directives in regards to program procedures, i.e. removal forms.
• Assist with Quarterly/Annual mapping updates as directed by ECI or the Client.
• Pursue customer contacts to prepare work for generation to clearance contractor.
• Organize and/or archive annual project/circuit folders for accuracy and record retention.
• Assist with line clearance and vegetation control work request/order compilation as needed.
• Perform other functions as requested by ECI or the Client.

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE:

• Ability to accurately read maps and judge spatial distances.
• Ability to work safely and independently in remote areas with limited supervision.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Independent decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to represent ECI and its services in a professional and positive manner.
• Knowledge of common computer applications and ability to learn new programs.
• Valid driver's license and safe driving record.
  
  

WHAT WOULD BE AMAZING TO HAVE:

• Associates or Bachelors degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, or related discipline a plus.
• 1-2 years prior Utility Vegetation Management experience preferred.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Industry certification, i.e. ISA, a plus.
• Prior GIS software/technology experience a plus.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ECI FORESTER:

Working Environment

Work alone in an outdoor field environment; vehicle and foot patrol of utility power lines; remote locations as well as urban, city environment; physical demands and travel from site to site, including walking/hiking on various surfaces including flat, dry, wet, slippery, uneven, rough, steep terrain, hills, and slopes; exposure to noise, dust, grease, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions. Reasonable accommodations, if available, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical

The team member must have sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; to walk up to 10 miles per day, stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp and make repetitive hand, arm and shoulder movement in the performance of daily duties (e.g., forcefully beat down brush); carry, push and/or pull light to heavy amounts of weight, frequently lift up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 60 lbs. (sandbags); to operate assigned equipment and vehicles; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information with public; ability to see and hear in normal range with or without correction; operate assigned field equipment, including handheld computer, range finder, fyrake, water backpack, shovel, and traffic cone.

Company Overview

Environmental Consultants (ECI) is a leading provider of vegetation and asset management consulting services to the utility industry. Successful professionals at ECI have come from a variety of backgrounds, including: forestry, arboriculture, natural resource management, biology, landscape maintenance, horticulture, nursery management, environmental sciences, geology, agriculture, parks & recreation management, urban forestry, geography, and more.  For more information visit our website www.eci-consulting.com

Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and a criminal background check.

All candidates must possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.

ECI is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE/AA : Minority/Female/ Vets/ Disabled.