ASSOCIATE FORESTER

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Associate Forester

Location: Portland, OR

Compensation: Typically, $73,000-$95,000/year plus bonus potential and full benefits

Non-traveling

Summary

Are you fascinated by the beauty of nature and committed to preserving it while ensuring a reliable power supply for communities? Do you possess a deep understanding of trees, their growth patterns, and their potential interactions with power infrastructure? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you as a Utility Forester!

At Portland General Electric, we believe in the harmonious coexistence of power infrastructure and the natural environment. We are a leading utility company dedicated to providing sustainable and reliable energy solutions to our customers while safeguarding the beauty and health of the trees that surround us. Our mission is to empower communities and businesses while nurturing the very essence of nature that sustains us.

Career Level Summary

Job Title/Code:  Associate Forester/6277

Grade/Exemption: Grade A06/EX

Career Level: P2

Individuals at this level requires in-depth knowledge and experience. They use best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services. They solve complex problems, taking a new perspective using existing solutions.  They work independently, receiving minimal guidance. They act as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Key Responsibilities

Scoping:

Performs safety audits. Conducts scoping. Analyzes risks and prioritizes jobs according to urgency and location.

Scheduling:

Under direction, plans and organizes vegetation clearance activities. Schedules work assignments and contract crews based on manager priorities.

Vendor Management:

Reviews contract crew performance against PGE standards and specifications. Monitors crew productivity to ensure PGE is receiving benefits for vegetation clearance expenditures relative to statement of work. Adapts tree pruning practices as needed to optimize resource use.

Consultation:

Responds to routine and nonroutine questions from region engineering. Represents PGE’s Forestry department to contractors impacted by/impacting company operations in accordance with established guidelines. Schedules meetings to explain and resolve problems. Works with PGE transmission forester to coordinate herbicide applications in assigned area.

Coordination:

Coordinates vegetation clearance with line restoration crews during emergency periods. Interfaces with regional line operations to determine maintenance and construction vegetation clearance needs. Coordinates vegetation clearance and selective herbicide applications with city, county and state agencies.

Compliance:

Ensures work meets all applicable standards, regulations and agreements. Reviews new standards, regulations and agreements and identifies potential impacts.
 

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Certifications:

Education:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in earth science, horticulture, geology, forestry, natural resources or similar field or equivalent experience.

Experience:

Typically two or more years in tree trimming, arborist work, nursery work or related field including vendor management and project management.

Certifications, Licenses and Training:

ISA Arborist Certification and ISA Utility Specialist credential preferred and required within six months of obtaining position. Oregon State Pesticide Consultant license preferred and required within six months of obtaining position. ISA TRAQ preferred.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Intermediate knowledge of forestry processes and procedures.

• Thorough knowledge of forestry best practices, including tree trimming and herbicide/pesticide application

• Thorough knowledge of regulations impacting vegetation management

• Working knowledge of vendor management principles Intermediate skills in critical thinking, including analysis and problem solving

• Working skills in using database and documentation tools

General Competencies:

• Working decision-making skills

• Working skills in critical thinking, including analysis, problem solving and prioritization

• Working interpersonal skills

• Intermediate written and oral communication skills

• Working presentation skills

• Working organizational awareness

Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level: Intermediate: Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Cognitive:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks

• Ability to follow accuracy standards

• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress

• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization

• Demonstrates sound memory

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to work long hours.

• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance

• Ability to work shift schedule

Physical Capabilities:

• This position requires a valid driver's license and a history of safe driving practices.

• Frequent daily driving/travel/commute within service territory

• Occasional driving/travel/commute overnight inside/outside the service territory.

• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

• Lifting/pushing/pulling/carrying: Up to 10 lbs.

• Unstable surfaces requiring balance:

  • Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings)

  • Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

  • Stairs (over 10 steps)

  • Ladders (over 10 rungs)

Environment: Office, Field

#LI-CD1, #LI-Onsite

Compensation Range:

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click .

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting  or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.  Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is also available for support.  You can contact them at .

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.  Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.