Vegetation Management Inspector

Position: Vegetation Management Inspector
Location: Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma Counties

​Orion Managed Services, LLC. (Orion) is hiring entry level Foresters or Environmental Scientists as Vegetation Management Inspectors. These are full-time, hourly positions under Union agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Some over-time and weekend work may be required. Qualified individuals will hold two or four-year degrees in a related field (biology, botany, horticulture, forestry, ecology, natural resources, environmental studies). Positions are 100 percent field-based and require the ability to relocate to assigned geographies for extended durations of time and the ability to periodically relocate as assignments change. Work locations will generally be in foothill communities of the Sierra Nevada Mountain and Coastal Mountain ranges of California.

Candidates will demonstrate ability to quickly become proficient at data collection using mobile electronic data capture devices. Initial field assignments will be to conduct urban forestry practices in and around high-voltage utility lines and be able to conduct surveys and inspection of electric system rights-of-ways to determine vegetation management and clearance requirements for encroaching vegetation and hazard trees, with minimal supervision.

​Vegetation Management Inspectors will perform a variety of vegetation management duties under the leadership of a supervisor, job duties are outlined below.

Primary Duties:

• Patrolling: perform circuit patrols in accordance with the annual VM plan, VM patrol standards and processes. identifying required tree work along the existing PG&E rights-of- way; prescribing tree work to be performed; document inspection done.
• Notifying property owners/agencies when tree work will occur and obtaining any necessary authorizations from the property owners/agencies to perform the tree work.
• May do work verification inspections of locations for tree work completion.
• Tree-Related Outages: May perform investigation and documentation of tree-related outages and attending outage meetings as requested.
• Tag Work: When assigned perform tracking, field checking, prescribing of work, and notifying of customers associated with non-routine locations. These locations may come from Electric Corrective (EC/LC) notifications, Gas OCW notifications, Customer Care & Billing (CC&B) Cases, or as assigned. Close out CC&B cases in the field after fielding the case.
• Emergency Response: May support emergency response such as directed by OEC, or level one operations. Such as dispatching tree crews, field checking sites, first responder stand-by agreements.
• Primarily works independently as instructed by Supervisor.
• Supports oversight of vegetation projects, including field operations such as tree assessment, tree trimming, and other work as required.
• Supports the compliance with vegetation management program scope, contract adherence, and PG&E standards and specifications over the entire PG&E service territory.
• Participates in Contractor safety and tailboard meetings to ensure crews follow Company and regulatory (e.g. OSHA) safety, standards and work procedures. Vegetation Management Inspectors are authorized and expected to suspend Contractor work when necessary.
• Acts as a customer relations representative on behalf of PG&E.
• On site supports the coordination between Contractors, Communities, Agencies, First Responders, and all other PG&E workgroups & stakeholders that may be involved in the successful completion of the vegetation project.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations which may include, but are not limited to: Annual permits, Encroachment permits, Traffic Control Plans, railroad permits, Caltrans permits, and environmental protection measures as documented on Environmental Release to Construction.
• Proficient in electronic devices and documentation proficiency. As assigned, completes electronic and paper- based documentation and reporting.

All VM Inspectors are required to complete the following training:

• 911 Standby training
• Pre-Inspector Structure Learning Path (SLP)

Orion is a professional services firm that offers competitive salary, benefits, and compensation to its employees. Orion’s environmental scientists are provided a housing allowance to facilitate field-based assignments that require frequent relocations to assigned districts/regions. As business need dictates, environmental scientist positions are eligible for vehicle stipends or company vehicles.

If you are looking to join a dynamic, nimble and performance-oriented company that provides strong incentives and rewards to its employees, this position can become a stepping-stone for your career. Orion is a rapidly growing professional services firm whose clients include large investor-owned utilities. We are at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change upon utility infrastructure and our professionals are helping to address carbon emissions, electric system resiliency to climate induced catastrophic events, and other programs related to climate adaptation. We are seeking career minded professionals who are self-starters, who possess a high degree of personal leadership, and who want to learn and grow in a dynamic environment.

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Some weekends

Requirements:

• 2-year of 4-year degree in botany, horticulture, forestry, biology, ecology, geography, natural resources, environmental studies, or related field
• Current ISA Arborist Certificate
• Applicable experience / education requirements
• Class C 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
• Competence with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to use utility prescribed vegetation management software, including utility proprietary mobile tree assessment platforms, 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 clear a pre-employment background check and drug screening
• Conduct health exam
• Ability to relocate to assigned geography and to accept field-based assignments that may require periodic relocation
• Ability to periodically travel overnight
• Ability to work over-time and weekends

Preferred:

• M.S. degree in botany, biology, horticulture, forestry, ecology, natural resources, environmental studies, or related field
• Courses or project work in GIS and Data Quality, Environmental Compliance, Safety, Audit and Risk Assessment
• Routine, CEMA, and GTAC experience strongly preferred
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Certificate (TRAQ), strongly preferred
• Certified Safety specialist
• Current First Aid and CPR certificate
• Spanish Speaker

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