United Cooperative Services has an open position for a Vegetation Management Coordinator in our Cleburne Engineering Department. The annual wage for this exempt position is $101,501.59. Candidate should have a stable, verifiable work history, with an acceptable MVR.  A pre-employment drug and alcohol screen is required. This is a career job with progressive pay and an outstanding benefit package. Positions are open until filled.

United Cooperative Services is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  

The Vegetation Management Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for the ongoing management of vegetation along power lines, in rights-of-ways, and around associated electrical facilities. Effective plans shall be designed so as to protect electric assets, prevent outages due to line contact by vegetation, be cost effective, provide for timely communication to all stakeholders, foster good relationships with landowners, and provide for ease of ingress and egress to electrical facilities by service and maintenance crews all while continuously remaining focused on the Cooperative’s Mission and Vision Statements, and the promotion of the Cooperative’s Guiding Values.
 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determines and implements cost-effective long-range plans and solutions for ROW maintenance.
• Assist the Manager of System Engineering with the receipt and evaluation Vegetation Management maintenance bids (clearing and/or chemical spraying) by contractors.

• Investigates and works with consumers and landowners to resolve inquiries and or complaints involving line clearing and/or tree removals.

• Coordinates contract maintenance crews and contract Foresters, and directs United employees as needed in regard to vegetation management.

• Advises landowners and Members on forestry management techniques.

• Assists the Manager of System Engineering with the day-to-day management of the Vegetation Management program and ensure that vegetation maintenance activities including the establishment and implementation of a preventative maintenance strategy, identification of an appropriate routine vegetation maintenance cycle, determination and prioritization of scheduling units, assignment of vegetation control methods, directing and monitoring the activities of line clearance and herbicide application contract crews and all vegetation maintenance activities, completing routine vegetation maintenance systematically and on the desired cycle.

• Assists the Manager of System Engineering in developing and monitoring the annual vegetation management budget and ensuring that work is performed in accordance with contracts and consistent with United’s requirements and Vegetation Management Plan.

• Regularly audit vegetation management activities and physically visit areas currently under ROW maintenance to ensure appropriate work practices, conformance with operation expectations, status of work-in-progress and to assure that work completed meets established performance, quality and cost standards.

• Review and confirm accuracy of invoices received from the contract crews, approve timesheets/invoices and authorize payments. 

• Work with GIS and CIS to develop and maintain accurate and consistent vegetation management records; and coordinate the creation, sharing, tracking, planning, scheduling and audit of vegetation maintenance work within a Geographic Information System.

• Oversee proper usage of herbicides when required, ensuring all applicable licenses/permits have been requested, maintain all necessary records and maps, and prepare and provide training to contractors as needed.

• Prepare application of any necessary permits and licenses for state and federal entities, ensuring compliance with all corporate and agency regulations.

• Assist the Manager of System Engineering with scheduling and coordinating special equipment needs and external resources for tree-related outages during emergency restorations when required.

• Adhere to and encourage safety policies and procedures and be actively            involved in continuously assessing safety policies to ensure their content            and/or effectiveness are consistently the top priority at the cooperative.

EXTERNAL  RELATIONSHIPS

• Membership: Courteously answers member inquiries and, if unable to do so, directs them to the appropriate person, making every effort to increase their understanding and acceptance of the Cooperative's plans, programs and policies.

• County Officials: Obtains information on codes and permit requirements as needed.

• Highway Departments, Railroads and Forest Service: Assists with the vegetation management aspects of obtaining of rights-of-way, railroad crossing permits and highway encroachment permits.  Assists with the coordination of line relocations for highway widening projects where vegetation management in required.

• Suppliers: Discusses product needs and new products.

• Other Utilities: Coordinates vegetation management work that has to be done on joint use contracts or by agreements.

• Developers and Contractors: Collaborates in line layout requirements and vegetation management problems to minimize delays in providing electric service.

• Consulting Engineer: Consults, advises and participates in short- and long-range work plans, provides information as needed related to United’s Vegetation Management Program.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Job Knowledge, Training and Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree in forestry, arboriculture, or related field.  Professional International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification is desired. Must demonstrate a broad knowledge and experience in vegetation management best practices, environmental issues and government laws, regulations and reporting requirements, as well as excellent Member service skills, interpersonal, team and collaboration skills.  Must acquire, within a reasonable timespan, knowledge of appropriate cooperative safety rules and regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to their respective job assignments.  Safety rules and regulations are detailed in the American Public Power Association Safety manual and the National Electric Safety Code.

Equipment Operated: Must have a current Texas driver’s license without violations that would prohibit insurability.
           
Abilities and Skills: Must be able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.  Required to write simple correspondence.  Must be able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.  Must be able to calculate discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Required to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Requires ability to carry out detailed but uninvolved written and oral instructions and to solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized conditions.

Physical Effort: Must be able to perform all activities listed in the job description with or without reasonable accommodation. This position is frequently required to stand, sit, reach with bands and arms, and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

Working Conditions: This position is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, and extreme heat.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.