Transmission Contract Arborist | Lake City, FL

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Company:
ACRT, Inc.
About The Team
At ACRT, we put safety first. Beyond that, our culture always has been, and always will be, about one thing: people. It's about our employees, our customers, and the communities our customers serve. We empower the best people to help sustain our world. We're the only independent national vegetation management consulting firm - giving us the freedom to put our clients first. We're always looking for driven individuals with good customer service skills who love the outdoors and appreciate the support and independence we provide. We offer qualified training opportunities in areas where they are needed to help our customers reach their fullest potential, preparing them for what their work throws at them.
About the Role
The Transmission Contract Arborist A reports to the Operations Manager at ACRT Inc. This position will play a key role in identifying, inspecting, and evaluating trees and brush along utility lines and submitting inspection results to clients with recommendations. This position plans, facilitates, and coordinates the activities of assigned tree clearance crews. You will also be expected to participate in storm restoration events that requires extended hours and in-state travel. This position requires a love of working outside, excellent attention to detail, and exceptional interpersonal communications skills.
What You'll Do
Vegetation Inspecting & Management

• Identify and inspect local trees with an understanding of growth rates
• Map circuits using client continuity lists
• Patrol and investigate distribution and/or transmission circuits and prescribed work to be performed by client tree trimming contractors

• Enter tree trimming/tree and brush removal recommendations into hand-held computer or other similar systems, and use computers and associated software to perform duties
• Notify property owners of tree trimming/tree and brush removal work to be performed relating to client specifications
• Manage the issuance of work and track work progress
• Perform outage investigations, when necessary
• Discusses and negotiate line-clearance crew access issues

• Perform herbicide audits

Tree Trimming Assessments

• Audit tree trimming and tree removal work completed by the tree trimming contractor in the field to ensure compliance with work request forms and approved tree trimming
• Complete post audit forms indicating adequacy of the tree trimming and tree removal work, and forward the completed forms to the vegetation management program manager or coordinator

Maintain State, Local, & Organizational Compliance

• Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards
• As requested by the Manager, perform all necessary duties for emergency response in accordance with all safety requirements, law and regulations, and applicable labor agreements
• Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner as not to endanger yourself or others
• Wear safety-related equipment such as hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, etc
• Know and exemplify ACRT's Guiding Principles

Participate with Storm Restoration Efforts

• Plan, facilitate, organize, coordinate, and audit the activities and functions of assigned tree clearance crews
• Conduct tree crew timesheet evaluation and crew movement reporting
• Conduct staging site logistics and staging area traffic control
• Perform workload reporting

• Ensure safety using correct procedures
• Act as a liaison between the vegetation manager of the utility and the tree crews
• Travel extensively to various sites throughout the state for extended periods of time and extended work hours (depending on storm severity)

Positively Build Upon New & Existing Relationships

• Serve as a liaison between clients, tree crews, and client customers

• Display optimism about the work to be done and demonstrate a positive attitude towards customers, peers, and the company
• Maintain working relationships with local client personnel as well as all relevant federal, state and local governmental agencies
• May be required to participate in public presentations and meetings

Other duties as assigned.
About You
Must haves:

• Education: High School Degree or GED
• Experience: 1 year of experience in electric utility line-clearance or utility work planning. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• ISA Arborist certification

Nice to haves:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science, Forestry or Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Experience: 2 years of experience in electric utility line-clearance or utility work planning

Your Skills:

• Proficiency in job-specific software systems (e.g., GPS and GIS based systems) and basic computer/technology skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office [Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook] or similar software suite
• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates
• Ability to work in rugged terrain and inclement weather

• Ability to read and follow digital maps
• Ability to drive and operate a 4x4 vehicle
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task and work independently as well as a team
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable interacting with senior management, customers, and clients
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to exercise good judgement to make good business decisions

• Knowledge of electric utility facilities and hardware

This role would not be a good fit if:

• You do not enjoy working independently or working outdoors
• You are not comfortable driving a pickup truck or 4x4 off-road vehicle
• You do not have the ability to calmly communicate with customer conflicts

• You are not willing to work after regular hours (e.g., Saturdays)

Storm Requirements (on an as needed basis):

• Long and extensive working hours during deployment (up to 16 hours per day, 7 days per week)
• Extensive walking and hiking (10+ hours per day) and the ability to lift 25 lbs
• In a post storm environment, there may be no guarantees of adequate shelter, as well as a potential for limited food, water, and supplies

• Potential for working in flooded areas
• Potential for working in proximity to downed electric lines
• Potential for exposure to hazardous conditions, where environment cannot be predicted or controlled

Drug Testing:

• Drug testing is required

Benefits
Health and Safety

• Group health plans including medical/prescription, dental, vision and a variety of other coverage options offered

• Company paid group life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts or an option for a Health Savings Account with company match
• Company paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees and eligible family members

Retirement

• Automatic enrollment in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at no cost

• Roth or Traditional 401(k) Retirement plan with company match

Time Off

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Veterans Day paid time off for our veterans

Perks

• Company vehicle and gas card
• Meal and travel per diems (allowances)
• Boot allowance
• Certification reimbursement program

• Scheduling flexibility at the discretion of Manager or Utility

Where We Work
Employees will take their company provided vehicle home to where they need to report for the day. They will generally not need to report to an office.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)