Mountain Engineering is seeking experienced candidates to support PG&E Vegetation Management Forestry Operations (VMFO) in North Coast, North and South. The Registered Professional Forester (RPF) role is to coordinate with property owners and contractors, obtain necessary permits, and ensure compliance with PG&E’s specifications and governmental regulations. Additionally, the RPF supports PG&E in emergency response situations, timber management, and compliance with safety standards and labor agreements, ensuring the optimum production of PG&E timberlands.
Role & Responsibilities
RPF is responsible for coordinating with property owners and vegetation management contractors regarding vegetation management work to be performed and when necessary, obtaining permits from public agencies; pre-inspecting in advance for vegetation management work; post-auditing vegetation management work; and documenting information for PG&E’s vegetation management program.
As requested by the PG&E Representative, the RPF shall perform all necessary duties for emergency response in accordance with all safety requirements, laws, and regulations, and applicable labor agreements.
RPF shall supply PG&E with a copy of all permits obtained by RPF. In addition, RPF will have responsibilities in judging tree value, volume, and risk involved with hazard tree removal projects that contain commercially valuable sawlogs.
RPF is to provide professional and technical advice on the management of PG&E timberlands to assure lands are producing at their optimum potential.
Patrol specified electric line sections and identify vegetation hazards.
Inspect individual jobs in the field to determine the number and types of units of work to be performed by the vegetation management contractor per span, as well as the rough estimate of time to complete the work.
Secure the Permission of each property owner before the vegetation management contractor commences tree removal work on any property for which PG&E does not already have removal rights. If the removal rights are not known or are unclear, then the RPF shall obtain Permission prior to the removal of any tree.
Promptly inform PG&E’s Representative in writing of each instance in which RPF is unable to obtain Permission or permits.
Supervise individual tree replacement and high production seedling planting activities, ensuring proper tree is chosen for site and planting techniques are in compliance with ISA standards.
Audit on-going and completed vegetation management jobs in the field to ensure compliance with the job requirements and approved tree removal and pruning standards.
Maintain working relationship with all public agencies, including California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), United States Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) representatives in his/her assigned area.
Timely resolve customer complaints.
As deemed necessary by PG&E’s Representative, the RPF may be required to perform emergency or storm related tree work at any time. If required to perform such emergency or storm related work, RPF shall ensure that all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to perform such work shall be available within twenty-four (24) hours of PG&E’s notification to RPF that such work is required. RPF shall ensure, at all times, that its employees have suitable protective clothing for work in inclement weather.
Assist PG&E foresters in planning and organizing timber harvests in accordance with all State, county and local laws governing actions.
As assigned by PG&E Representative, complete Timber Harvest Plan, Emergency THP, Exemption, or Conversion form for submission to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including all required permits.
At the request of PG&E’s representative, conduct CALFIRE and associated agency pre-inspections as necessary to obtain approved THP.
Mark timber as agreed to by PG&E Representative.
Inspect and guide other FTs to ensure tree marking is within specification of agreed silvicultural prescription in THP. (Marking guidelines in USFS Manual.)
Monitor and audit timber logging contractor to ensure compliance with timber sale logging contract and agency regulations. Audit results shall be submitted as weekly or daily reports to the PG&E Representative using the Timber Sale Inspection Agreement and/or Notice.
Conduct timber inventory as prescribed by PG&E Representative. Sampling methods will vary as conditions merit. Sampling methods are described in USFS Chapter 30.
Perform timber appraisal of specified properties under the direction of PG&E forester.
Other work as directed by PG&E Representative.
Qualifications & Requirements
As a minimum, an RPF shall be registered by the State of California as a professional forester in good standing.
Additionally, an RPF shall have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in hazard tree removal projects along utility rights of way.
The RPF shall be familiar with vegetation management contractors’ work practices, proper arboricultural techniques and practices, PG&E’s Specification or other requirements as directed by PG&E, and government agency requirements related to line clearances and fire prevention.
At the discretion of the PG&E Representative, a portion of these qualifications may be waived for an otherwise exceptionally qualified individual.
Physical Demands
Sitting for long periods of time working at the computer or driving to job sites. Job site visits require walking on uneven ground, climbing, bending, stooping, and crawling in confined or enclosed spaces. Some lifting of materials and equipment up to 50 lbs. Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. May work long hours during peak seasons.
Work Environment
Typical office environment with adequate temperatures and lighting, low levels of noise. Exposed to the conditions of job sites which can include loud noise, dust, fumes, and extreme weather conditions prevalent at the time. May work various shifts or hours, including early mornings, dusk or evenings.
Benefits
Premium Health Coverage for Employee and Dependents (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
40 Hours Paid Vacation
7 Paid Holidays
5 Paid Sick Days
401k – 4% Match
Pre-Employment Controlled Substances Testing of Applicants.
All applicants to whom the Company has given a conditional offer of employment are required to submit to a pre-employment Controlled Substances test and must receive a negative result as a condition of employment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Mountain Engineering is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at our company are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, race, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Notice to Staffing Agencies
Mountain Engineering will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Mountain Engineering, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Mountain Engineering mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Mountain Engineering employees, or to Mountain Engineering’s resume database will be considered Mountain Engineering property.