Right-of-Way Vegetation Program Arborist

Northern Wasco County PUD is looking for an experienced Right-of-Way Vegetation Program Arborist  to join our Operations team. This full-time, exempt position offers a Monday-Thursday, 4/10 work schedule.

The Right-of-Way Vegetation Program Arborist is a subject matter expert in responsibly managing organic vegetation growth surrounding PUD's electrical transmission and distribution systems. Develops and administers the PUD's Right of Way Vegetation Program to ensure vegetation growth does not interfere with operations. Establishes and monitors program performance metrics and identifies, recommends, and implements enhancements or changes.

Expected interview completion by early November 2026.

Expected start date for this position is early January 2027.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:   We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package including but not limited to:

- Generous PTO Accruals

- 11 Paid Holidays

- 100% employer paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage

- 100% employer paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage

- 100% employer paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary

- 401(k) 7.5% base + 7.5% match = 15% total possible employer contribution

- 457(b)

- 100% employer paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability

- HRA VEBA employee funded

- Wellness Incentive to HRA VEBA employer funded

- 100% Paid Business Travel Insurance

- Voluntary benefits

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Prioritizes, schedules, and assigns the work of tree trimming, pre-inspection, mowing, falling, inspection of PUD transmission and distribution system, and GIS technical and administrative contractors.

- Evaluates needs and acquires appropriate resources to support the vegetation program.

- Prepares cost estimates and recommends associated expenditures. Develops specifications for bids and requests for proposals for vegetation program services, assists with conducting competitive procurement processes, and recommends bid awards.

- Schedules, inspects, and evaluates contractor performance to ensure contract compliance.

- Dispatches crews to respond to emergencies, urgent requests, or reports of damage caused by accidents or storms.

- Maintains detailed records that include identity and inventory of trees within PUD's right-of-way, crew production numbers, customer satisfaction, damage claims, and tree removals and replacement.

- Prepares communication information, reports, proposals, and presentations for various audiences. Compiles and analyzes data.

- Represents the interests and objectives of the Right of Way Vegetation Management Program and coordinates with other departments to complete special projects or carry out corporate initiatives. Leads training activities related to the vegetation program.

- Proposes operational budget, monitors expenditures throughout the year, and manages variances to ensure budgetary guidelines are met while upholding high standards of customer service excellence.

- Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions:

- Coordinates, promotes, and communicates PUD's Right-of-Way Vegetation Management program elements to external and internal customers. Investigates and resolve customer complaints regarding project status, quality, damage reports, and contractor activities.

- Coordinates with contractors and employees on upcoming facilities and maintenance projects to ensure business continuity throughout project work for PUD.

- All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job.

- Knowledge of principles and practices of program and policy development and administration of electric utilities.

- Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and/or statutes as they apply to electric utilities.

- Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, goals, strategic plans and operational needs.

- Principles and practices of financial, budgeting and accounting administration.

- Ability to understand and integrate PUD goals and strategic directions into services and programs.

- Ability to assess jobs, effectively plan, prioritize, schedule, organize, track, document, report, and evaluate work and job performance.

- Ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities.

- Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.

- Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.

- Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.

Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight:

- Supervises Tree Trimming Foreman, Journeyman Tree Trimmer, and Apprentice Tree Trimmer.

- Responsible for inspecting/maintaining the line clearance tree trimming and vegetation management program for NWCPUD’s transmission & distribution electrical system.

QUALIFICATIONS: Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.

Education/Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Arboriculture, Forestry or directly related field.

- Four (4) or more years of arboricultural experience with a thorough knowledge of utility vegetation management operations.

- Two (2) or more years of planning, organizing and delegating work, and ensuring work is performed within resource constraints to technical specifications.

- Any one (1) or combination of the following certifications is highly preferred:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist;

- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Utility Specialist;

- Oregon Department of Agriculture Right-Of-Way Public Pesticide Applicator License.

Job Scope:

- Works on non-routine assignments of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.

Mental or Visual Demand:

Continuous mental and/or visual attention; the work is either repetitive or diversified, requiring constant alertness to monitor the production process and/or identify defects.

Working Conditions:

The job is often performed under somewhat disagreeable working conditions; exposure to any or all of the above elements is likely, with at least one present to the extent of being disagreeable.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach, climb, twist, grasp, pinch, keyboard. Push, lift, pull and carry up to 50lbs.

*Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.