Job Summary

The Utility Arborist Technician position will support the Transmission Vegetation Management team and will be responsible for inspecting span to span GPC’s transmission system to identify and document vegetation-related hazards. Additional duties include, monitoring contracted tree crews, communicating with GPC customers, assisting with work planning, and supporting the integrated vegetation management (VM) plan of the Utility Arborist territories across the state. There is no required office location for this position, but extensive, statewide, overnight travel will be required. The normal expected work week consists of 4, 10-hour days, Monday-Thursday. Storm response and business needs may require work outside regular hours and days. Partial relocation assistance may be available for this position.

Job Duties

• Contribute to the development, planning and Implementation of an integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan across the assigned territory
• Perform rights of way patrols, vegetation, and electrical clearance assessments
• Communicate with customers and land owners regarding rights of way and vegetation matters
• Assist with management of the daily work-plans of multiple contractor resources to ensure work practices are performed safely, productively, and within schedule
• Perform on-going quality control inspections of completed work as well as work in progress to ensure compliance with contract specifications
• Establish and maintain relationships with various federal, state, municipal, and local government agencies and departments related to vegetation management. 
• Represent Georgia Power to various organizations such as local tree boards, neighborhood associations, professional organizations, company or industry committees, etc. 
• Effectively communicate vegetation maintenance objectives and practices to both internal and external customers
• Ensure all compliance and regulatory obligations are met
• Ensure compliance with requirements of Transmission Vegetation Management standard FAC-003-5 always
• Work outside normal business hours in support of emergency restoration efforts is expected

Job Requirements

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry or related field preferred
• Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, ISA Certified Arborist certification 
• ISA Utility Specialist desired
• Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, appropriate herbicide application license
• Knowledge of distribution and transmission utility electrical systems desired
• Familiarity with ANSI Z-133, A-300 standards desired
• Knowledge of NERC Standard for vegetation management, FAC 003-5, preferred
• Utility integrated vegetation management experience desired
• Contractor management experience desired

Competencies

• Demonstrate commitment to personal safety and the safety of your team
• Must be able to meet schedules and critical deadlines
• Ability to learn basic business skills such as budgeting and finance
• Able to value and interact with people with different perspectives and backgrounds
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills highly desired
• Must be self-motivated and demonstrate ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to work with commonly used applications including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Access and Excel. Also, experience with mobile applications and GIS / GPS applications is a plus.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish is a plus
• Early start and extended work hours will be routine
• Ability to perform emergency call-out response and storm restoration support is required
• Must be able to identify the species of local vegetation and their growth characteristics

Behavioral Attributes

• Safety focused
• Demonstrate Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance daily
• Possesses a questioning attitude
• Function independently while serving the needs of your team

This position has been identified as a role that will require the use of a Georgia Power fleet vehicle.  The following will be required if you are selected for this position:

• Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience (Must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver’s license).
• Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.