Utility Apprentice Arborist

Position: Utility Apprentice Arborist
Location: Various – Sacramento, Redding, San Francisco Bay Area, LA, Bakersfield, Ontario, Pasadena, Irvine, Ventura, Fresno, based on client requirement.

Orion Managed Services, LLC. (Orion) is hiring Utility Apprentice Arborists. These are full-time, hourly, term position for twelve to 36-month assignments. Some over-time and weekend work may be required. Qualified individuals (candidates) will be capable of obtaining International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certifications within the first twelve months of employment. At least one-year of prior tree crew experience, for utility vegetation management is strongly desired or a 4-year degree in forestry or equivalent field can serve in-lieu. Candidates will demonstrate ability to quickly learn arboriculture work in and around high-voltage utility lines, and be able to conduct pre-inspection of electric system rights-of-ways to determine vegetation management and clearance requirements for encroaching vegetation and hazard trees, with minimal supervision.

Utility apprentice arborists will be responsible to assess vegetation encroachment and hazard trees within utility rights-of-ways under the direct supervision of certified arborists. Ability to quickly develop competency related to working knowledge of stand-off distances (i.e., Minimum Violation Clearance Distances) for electric transmission and distribution power lines is a requirement. Utility apprentice arborists will document variances in accordance with utility standards and procedures and ensure data quality, accuracy, completeness, consistency, and daily production rates are met.   Utility apprentice arborists will identify and document hazard trees both within and outside utility rights-of-ways.  Candidates must show strong attention to detail and proficiency in assessing vegetation and hazard trees against utility standards at a 98 percent accuracy rate.

A critical component of the utility apprentice arborist position is to be effective at outreach to utility customers for requests for access to private property. Utility apprentice arborists will also maintain timely and effective follow-ups and create positive customer experiences. Utility apprentice arborists will proactively resolve customer concerns or elevate to their supervisor or utility representative, where concerns cannot be addressed. Hazard trees will be assessed against utility standards and in accordance with utility procedures. Strong candidates will display good written and verbal communication skills.

Requirements:

• Driver’s license
• Experience driving off-road and with 4-wheel drive vehicles
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and to hike and walk over rough terrain in mountainous areas
• At least 1-year prior experience working on utility right-of-way tree crews or equivalent experience gained through 4-year degree program in silviculture, forestry, horticulture, or botany.
• Competence with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to use utility prescribed vegetation management software, including utility proprietary mobile tree assessment platforms, Fulcrum, Arbora, or equivalent field data collection software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to resolve problems and to work with staff and utility customers effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening
• Ability to relocate to assigned geography for at least 12 months
• Ability to travel
• Ability to work over-time and occasionally to work weekends

Desired:

• Current ISA Arborist Certificate
• Certified Safety specialist
• Current First Aid and CPR certificate
• 4-year degree in Silviculture, forestry, horticulture, botany or equivalent

​Next Steps: Please send resume and cover letter to info@orionmsgroup.com. You must include “Open Position: Utility Apprentice Arborist” in the subject line.