Vegetation Management Specialist (Utility Arborist) - OUC

OUC - The Reliable One, is presently seeking a Vegetation Management Specialist (Utility Arborist) to join the Electric & Water Delivery division. At OUC, we don’t just work – we’re building a bright future of innovation and transformation for future generations.

We are looking for an energetic arborist professional who enjoys working outdoors in a fast-paced environment to coordinate line and right-of-way clearance and maintenance activities to control vegetation affecting distribution, transmission, and substation facilities, including system restoration efforts.

In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating line and right-of-way clearance and maintenance activities, providing vegetation-related support to field contract crews, preparing contract specifications and bid estimates, tracking and approving contractor invoices, performing quality control of supplier crews, and utilizing required software applications for data analysis. You will also communicate line clearance information to city agencies, internal management, and customers, and make recommendations affecting OUC policies, plans, regulations, and methods of operations related to vegetation management programs. We are looking for a dedicated professional with a strong understanding of utility arboriculture and vegetation management.

OUC is an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida committed to innovation, sustainability, and our community, OUC’s mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and community by delivering sustainable and reliable services and solutions.

Join a team of visionary Change Agents, Strategists, and Community Ambassadors who understand the vital role of diverse experiences in powering creativity and industry transformation. At OUC, each position contributes to the success and achievement of our goals. Click here to learn more about what we do.

The ideal candidate will have:

• High School Diploma or GED (required)
• 2 years of directly related experience in vegetation management.
• In lieu of experience, equivalent combination of education, certifications, training in vegetation management or closely related field may be substitutable for experience on a year-to-year basis.
• Strong knowledge of tree pruning techniques, safe tree trimming standards, local tree protection and landscape ordinances, utility arboriculture, and vegetation management.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and standard office equipment.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Preferred experience includes one (1) year of Utility Forestry experience and training in ANSI tree pruning techniques, OSHA safe tree trimming standards, and pesticide rules and regulations.

OUC offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package. Our Total Rewards package includes, to cite a few:

• Competitive compensation
• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision benefits and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period.
• OUC’s Hybrid Retirement Program includes a fully-funded cash balance account, defined contribution with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account
• Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
• Paid parental leave
• Educational Assistance Program, to include tuition reimbursement, paid memberships in professional associations, paid conference and training opportunities
• Wellness incentives and free access to all on-site OUC fitness facilities  
• Access to family-oriented recreational areas
• Paid Conference and Training Opportunities
• Free downtown parking

Click here to view our Benefits Summary.

Salary Range: Starting at $30.59 per hour (Estimated $63,637 annually) with a structured step progression system and performance-based pay increases every 6 months up to $ 45.89 per hour (Estimated $95,451 annually)

Location: 6003 Pershing Ave., Orlando, FL 32822 

Please see below a complete Job description for this position.

Job Purpose:

Coordinate line and right-of-way clearance, and maintenance activities to control vegetation affecting distribution, transmission, and substation facilities, including system restoration efforts. Prepare contract specifications for forestry-related activities. Prepare bid estimates for line clearance operations. Review and approve contractor invoices, and maintain billing and payment history. Communicate line clearance information to city agencies, internal management, and customers. Make recommendations affecting OUC policies, plans, regulations, and methods of operations related to vegetation management programs.

Primary Functions:

• Coordinate line and right-of-way clearance and maintenance activities to control vegetation affecting distribution, transmission, and substation facilities, including system restoration efforts.
• Provide vegetation related support to all field contract crews on distribution and transmission.
• Assist in the Preparation of contract specifications for forestry related activities.
• Prepare bid estimates for line clearance operations.
• Track, review and approve contractor invoices and maintain billing and payment history.
• Track supplier schedule and production and perform quality control of supplier crews.
• Use required software applications to access, quantify, and analyze crew utilization and production records, ensure personnel and equipment are effectively and efficiently utilized.
• Communicate line clearance information to city agencies, internal management and customers.
• Coordinate with OUC staff and customers (internal stakeholders and external community partners) on special projects.
• Triage tickets for dispatching, prioritizing or escalating as needed.
• Stay current on best practices in the vegetation management field and make recommendations affecting OUC policies, plans, regulations and methods of operations related to vegetation management programs;
• Participate in the development of the department project plans, schedules, budget, resource assignments, and communications;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical Requirements:

• Working knowledge of all, but not limited to the following:

• • Tree pruning techniques and effects on tree health;
  • Safe tree trimming standards;
  • Local tree protection and landscape ordinances;
  • Utility arboriculture and vegetation management;
  • Blueprints, circuit maps, one-line schematics, construction and other technical drawings;
  • Work schedule spreadsheets (i.e. MS Excel);
  • Work order systems (i.e. PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, or City works)
  • Related industry, organizational and departmental policies, practices, and procedures; legal guidelines, ordinances, and laws;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to:

• • Coordinate line and right-of-way clearance and maintenance activities;
  • Efficiently schedule personnel and equipment; analyze crew utilization and production records;
  • Make arithmetic computation using whole numbers, fractions and decimals, rates, ratios and percentages; thorough understanding of geometric and algebraic equations;
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and standard office equipment (telephone, computer, copier, etc.).

Education/ Certification/ Years of Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• 2 years of directly related experience in vegetation management. In lieu of experience, equivalent combination of education, certifications, training in vegetation management or closely related field may be substitutable for experience on a year to year basis.
• One (1) years of Utility Forestry experience (preferred).
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Special training(s) required within six (6) months of hire:

• • ANSI Tree pruning techniques and the effects on tree health
  • OSHA Safe tree trimming standards
  • Pesticide rules and regulation

Working Conditions:

This job involves frequent exposure to some disagreeable elements (i.e. outdoor weather conditions such as heat, rain and humid conditions). This job involves occasional exposure to insects, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals and will need to wear personal protection equipment. This job may involve the occasional exposure to electrical wiring and equipment and will need safety equipment to mitigate the risk.

Physical Requirements:

This job consists of very frequent typing, reading and writing. This job consists of very frequent standing, walking, and sitting. This job consists of lifting twenty (20) lbs. to forty (40) lbs. occasionally. This job involves frequent bending/stooping, reaching over head, and climbing (ladders, stairs, hills, etc.). This job may consist of very frequent kneeling and/or crawling and repetitive motions. This job consists of very frequently driving a company vehicle.

OUC–The Reliable One is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed through responsible management policies to recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, compensate, and administer all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.

EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled