Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Forestry Technician
💰 $45,000 - $70,000
ForestryUtilityField OperationsEnvironmental Services
🎯 Role Definition
The Utility Forestry Technician plays a critical role in utility vegetation management by maintaining safe clearances around power lines, substations, and utility easements. This position focuses on tree trimming, vegetation control, hazard identification, and field inspections to ensure uninterrupted utility service, regulatory compliance, and public safety. The role requires hands-on outdoor work, technical forestry expertise, and close coordination with utility operations and environmental teams.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Forestry Technician
- Arborist Apprentice
- Utility Field Technician
Advancement To:
- Lead Utility Forestry Technician
- Vegetation Management Supervisor
- Regional Forestry or Utility Operations Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Environmental Field Technician
- Utility Line or Asset Inspector
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct routine inspections of trees, brush, and vegetation near overhead and underground utility lines.
- Trim, prune, and remove trees and vegetation that pose risks to power lines, substations, and utility infrastructure.
- Safely operate chainsaws, chippers, brush cutters, bucket trucks, and other forestry equipment.
- Identify hazardous trees, diseased vegetation, and encroachment issues that may impact utility reliability.
- Coordinate vegetation management schedules with utility operations, dispatch, and maintenance teams.
- Enforce OSHA, utility, and environmental safety standards, including proper PPE and job-site safety practices.
- Document inspections, completed work, and vegetation conditions using mobile field systems and reports.
- Assess environmental impacts and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Support emergency response efforts during storms, outages, and natural disasters.
- Communicate professionally with landowners, municipalities, and the public regarding planned work.
- Monitor tree health and growth patterns along utility corridors and rights-of-way.
- Apply herbicides and vegetation control treatments following approved procedures and permits.
- Utilize GPS, GIS, and mapping tools to log work locations and update vegetation data.
- Train and mentor new technicians on equipment use, safety procedures, and forestry best practices.
- Assist in planning vegetation management cycles and long-term maintenance programs.
- Oversee contractor or third-party crews performing vegetation management services.
- Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of field operations.
- Respond to customer service requests related to vegetation interference or safety concerns.
- Perform routine maintenance, inspections, and minor repairs on forestry equipment.
- Participate in internal audits, regulatory inspections, and environmental compliance reviews.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc field data collection and vegetation condition assessments.
- Contribute to utility vegetation management strategies and operational planning.
- Collaborate with engineering, environmental, and operations teams on risk mitigation.
- Participate in team meetings, safety briefings, and operational reviews.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Operation of chainsaws, chippers, bucket trucks, and forestry equipment.
- Tree species identification and proper pruning and trimming techniques.
- Utility vegetation management standards and clearance requirements.
- GPS, GIS, and mobile field data collection tools.
- Hazard tree assessment and risk mitigation.
- OSHA regulations and utility-specific safety protocols.
- Safe application of herbicides and vegetation control treatments.
- Tree health evaluation and vegetation condition assessment.
- Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Environmental compliance and permitting awareness.
Soft Skills
- Strong observational skills and attention to detail.
- Clear communication with crews, supervisors, and property owners.
- Problem-solving and sound judgment in field conditions.
- Ability to work independently and within team environments.
- Physical stamina and adaptability to outdoor work conditions.
- Effective time management and task prioritization.
- Strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
- Collaboration with internal departments and external contractors.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent
Preferred Education:
Associate Degree or vocational certification in Forestry, Arboriculture, or Environmental Science
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Forestry or Arboriculture
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resource Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
2–5 years of experience in forestry, vegetation management, or utility field operations
Preferred:
Prior experience in utility vegetation management, arborist services, or utility infrastructure maintenance.