Vegetation Management Inspector

PG&E - San Carlos, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

San Carlos, CA

Utilities

About the position

The Vegetation Management and System Inspections department is dedicated to enhancing the electric system's safety for customers and communities by inspecting electric equipment and managing vegetation near powerlines that could potentially cause wildfires or power outages. This team inspects approximately 100,000 miles of overhead powerlines and manages over 1 million trees annually. The System Inspections team examines distribution, transmission, and substation equipment to identify potential risks to safety and reliability. The commitment is to ensure PG&E's electric equipment operates properly and delivers reliable electricity to the communities served. The department consists of around 10,000 coworkers and contractors. This position is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245, which has a long history of representing employees at PG&E. The role involves direct oversight of vegetation management work on Electric Distribution or Transmission systems, focusing on field safety, work quality, customer relations, public safety, permit compliance, and contractor performance. The Vegetation Management Inspector-GC is a General Construction position requiring travel and potential relocation within the PG&E service territory. Preference will be given to applicants residing within 50 miles of the headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Performs circuit patrols in accordance with annual VM plan, VM patrol standards and processes
• Acts as a customer relations representative on behalf of PG&E
• Supports coordination between Contractors, Communities, Agencies, First Responders, and other PG&E workgroups and stakeholders
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations including Annual permits, Encroachment permits, Traffic Control Plans, railroad permits, Caltrans permits, and environmental protection measures
• Completes electronic and paper-based documentation and reporting as assigned
• Identifies required tree work along existing PG&E rights-of-way
• Inspects documents
• Notifies property owners/agencies when tree work will occur
• May perform work verification inspections of locations for tree work completion
• May investigate and document tree-related outages
• Field checks prescribed work and notifies customers associated with non-routine locations when assigned
• Closes out CC&B cases in the field after fielding the case
• May support emergency response as directed by OEC or level one operations
• Supports oversight of vegetation projects, including field operations such as tree assessment and trimming
• Supports compliance with vegetation management program scope, contract adherence, and PG&E standards over the entire service territory
• Participates in the Employer Pull Notice Program (EPN) with DMV

Requirements

• Valid Class C Driver's License with no major incidents
• High School diploma or GED
• Ability to obtain 911 Standby training within one year of start date
• Pre-Inspector Structure Learning Path (SLP) within one year of start date

Nice-to-haves

• 1 year of related field-based experience (e.g. tree work, forestry)
• 2-year degree OR higher education (BA/BS) in a related field
• Certified Arborist or Utility Specialist
• American Society of Consulting Arborist Registered, 4 years' experience in forestry or arboriculture industry
• Completion of the PG&E Power Pathway program
• Military Service with honorable discharge

Benefits

• Hourly wage rate of $37.86, subject to collective bargaining agreements and increases