CenterPoint Energy is looking for a Forester to join our Vegetation Management Team, located in Houston, Texas.

You will have the ability to coordinate, benchmark, oversee, and complete all land and right of way, distribution and transmission utility vegetation management (VM) projects for all capital projects as well as the ongoing proactive programs for vegetation management - inclusive of local land and right of way properties. Inspects completion of vegetation clearances to ensure quality and compliance with both Company standards and various State and Federal agency regulations. Uses subject matter expertise as a certified arborist to promote the company VM program and interact with various community and stakeholder organizations to enhance public relations and resolve local governmental issues raised regarding tree trimming conflicts Reports to Distribution Project Vegetation Supervisor.

To be successful in this role you will:

• Assign and field check vegetation work in connection with construction of the distribution system associated with all overhead capital transmission and distribution projects. Assure that all work is performed in accordance with Company standards and with all governmental regulations.
• Coordinating and scheduling ongoing transmission and distribution VM line clearance activities in assigned areas to meet service reliability goals and other VM objectives for DPCM and various company internal clients. This is the single largest operating expense for the company spanning between 4,000-6,000 miles. Critical achievement of this objective is reported to various governmental oversight agencies including the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Assisting various internal clients in analysis of other vegetation-related problems, development of corrective work procedures, and administering unplanned maintenance projects.
• Critically monitor and audit all contractor work activities to ensure contract guidelines compliance, evaluate job performance, and assess cost effectiveness.
• Reviewing contractor invoicing for accuracy and approving of all invoicing for payment in assigned areas.
• Coordinating contractor response for service restoration following storms, inclusive of scheduled periodic Forester rotations of "on-call" after normal working hours.
• Meeting routinely with customers to address VM program concerns, resolve complaints or work refusals, and enforce company policies and requirements. This is in support of internal construction projects in service of new or existing customers.
• Preparing, maintaining, and/or correcting job orders in the company work management system to meet vendor invoicing and company work process administrative requirements.
• Ensure that all project documentation and close out requirements are handled in compliance with SAP process flow guidelines

• Coordinating the review and response to incoming customer trim request service orders and/or complaints with multiple department stakeholders in both the confirmation and prioritization for accurate and prompt contractor response.
• Provide status reports to supervisor and internal clients for budget and work management.
• Developing and evaluating initiatives identified to improve operational efficiencies or process improvements.
• Field check proposed job sites to coordinate activities city, county or state improvement projects, other utilities, and customers to avoid conflicts.
• Working with various governmental representatives to coordinate VM activities on public properties and ensure compliance with various governmental vegetation-related ordinances on company properties.
• Supporting company representatives when meeting with civic groups and other non-governmental organizations to explain company policies and procedures concerning vegetation issues.
• Delivering presentations regarding company VM program activities to groups of customers and/or internal clients this includes leading the Right Tree Right Place Program.
• Sharing and provide professional forestry/arboriculture expertise as needed to support company personnel and activities.
• Mentoring and assisting VM employees in learning technical job knowledge skills, work processes and practices pertinent to performing respective positions.

Your background includes:

• Requires Bachelor of Science Degree in Arboriculture, Forestry or Urban Forestry from an accredited college or university
• Requires a Texas Department of Agriculture Non- Commercial Pesticide applicators license

A bonus to have:

• Three (3) years as a Vegetation Management (VM) arborist performing vegetation management activities directly for an electric utility company and/or a VM contractor providing vegetation management services for an electric utility.