City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Utility Vegetation Management Specialist

This position is responsible for researching, analyzing, and coordinating vegetation management issues impacting electric distribution and transmission systems and providing solutions to stakeholders. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. 

1. Uses utility vegetation management principals and methods to coordinate utility Right-Of-Way (ROW) maintenance and vegetation growth control, reducing the risk of outages, fires, and other disruptions and dangers to Austin Energy (AE) customers and field crews.
2. Generates AE Forester Vegetation Work Plans (VWPs) from Customer Care & Billing (CC&B) field activity reports, customer ticket reports, and AE staff requests. Coordinates with AE field crews and AE contractors to verify and communicate the VWP.
3. Analyzes, researches, and responds to AE customer and field crew inquiries related to utility infrastructure tree trimming ordinances, tree removal or tree replacements restrictions, environmental constraints, and heritage and protected tree species permits.
4. Provides field staff with circuit, streetlight, and line fuse maps, property ownership records, contact information, and tree trimming history of properties for distribution and transmission work planning.
5. Researches and identifies circuits planned for vegetation management, and provides Home Owners Associations (HOAs) with the required notification per City of Austin policy.
6. Identifies and responds to customer complaints and escalation calls and provides appropriate solutions and follows up in a judicious and timely manner.
7. Enters and extracts vegetation management data and supporting information into multiple data management software systems to document actions taken to resolve requests and verify work orders are completed.
8. Prepares audit work package to include audit work documents, circuit maps, checklists, forms, property ownership research, and related documents, and ensure quality vegetation management is executed.
9. Supports Electric Control Center operations by gathering emergency response vegetation work management data and information.
10. Participates in public hearings, legal proceedings, or public information requests as a utility vegetation management subject matter expert.

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• Knowledge of forestry and utility vegetation management concepts, methods, and techniques.
• Knowledge of current utility and energy industry issues, trends, and political, economic, and social issues affecting the vegetation management programs.
• Knowledge of local and industry laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Skill in reading and understanding oral, written, and electronic communications.
• Skill in collaboration and negotiation using diplomacy and tact with customers by telephone, in person, in-writing, or email.
• Skill in planning, prioritizing, organizing, and time management.
• Skill in managing projects and programs.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and professional working relationships with city employees, customers, and the public.
• Ability to assess and make vegetation management recommendations.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing and evolving business processes.
• Ability to interpret and apply current industry laws and regulations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience in electric utility vegetation management, including at least one (1) year of customer service in vegetation management.
• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to vegetation management, may substitute for electric utility vegetation management experience, up to two (2) years.

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