System Arborist - Oahu

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.

Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged. 

BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:

The P MV VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Department of the P OPERATIONS PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)

JOB FUNCTION:

Administers, maintains, and monitors effectiveness of Hawaiian Electric’s system-wide vegetation management programs (includes Roadside, Transmission and Sub-transmission Rights-of-Way, and Customer Service Programs) to ensure safe service reliability, cost-containment, and customer satisfaction. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages, directs and monitors on-site outside Vegetation Management contractors to ensure compliance with vegetation specifications. Strategizes, administers, maintains, and monitors Hawaiian Electric’s system-wide Vegetation Management Program activities, including managing and directing of outside vegetation management contractors, to ensure that Company goals and objectives are achieved.  This includes Hawaiian Electric’s Vegetation Management Roadside Program, Rights-of-Way Program (transmission and sub-transmission), and Customer Service Program. Reviews established programs and recommends improved procedures and techniques to maximize effectiveness of various Vegetation Management programs. 
• Performs regular system-wide inspections using appropriate transportation means including walking, two-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles, and helicopters.  Responds to callouts and/or other Vegetation Management -related emergencies. Performs periodic field audits of contractor work to ensure accuracy of reporting and quality of work. Ensures that contractor is adhering to all federal, state and local regulations with regard to safe work practices as outlined in ANSI Z133 and ANSI A300.
• Collects, compiles, maintains, and manages data and records to evaluate contract compliance and pre- and post-work field inspections of outside vegetation management contractors.  Reviews, rectifies, and manages contract work reports and invoices.  Plans, directs, and evaluates alternative methods for line clearance and vegetation management. Ensures contractor follow-up, proper billing and satisfactory resolution of unsatisfactory work and complaints. Monitors contractors’ progress and conducts field inspections to ensure programs are within budget and on schedule and/or update strategies and resource requirements. 
• Provides timely and effective consultative technical, field, and personal support and assistance to internal/external customers to ensure satisfactory response and resolution of questions, complaints, and work requests (e.g. MECO, development of Tree Growth Regulator (TGR) Application programs, landscaping, etc.).  This includes internal capital requests which require vegetation management expertise to assist with maintenance or installations of new facilities. Performs advance notifications and procures tree removal permissions for sensitive and challenging customers. 
• Develops, implements, and conducts informational programs and presentations (including written and oral testimony for legislative matters) relating to Hawaiian Electric’s system-wide vegetation management programs for Company employees, customers, the general public, and government authorities. Actively participates in local professional associations and events for internal and external customers and organizations to foster understanding and support of Company’s VM program.
• Provides input on the forecasted operational needs for various Vegetation Management Programs. Monitors, researches, compiles, analyzes, and provides appropriate reports to Supervisor for budgeting and forecasting purposes.  Issues requisitions for materials and contract services to support Vegetation Management work.   
• Interacts with all employees and other internal and external suppliers and customers in a positive, supportive, and collaborative manner, to ensure the fulfillment of company strategic objectives.
• Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in urban forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, or related field normally acquired through advanced, college level courses or equivalent experience.
• ISA Certified Arborist to stay current on changes in arboricultural industry.
• ISA Utility Specialist Certification, preferred.
• Working knowledge of common vegetation management crew structures, equipment, tools, techniques and methodologies and their appropriate application to ensure maximum work quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Working knowledge of electric utility transmission and distribution construction and maintenance operations with particular emphasis on vegetation management activities.
• Basic knowledge of statistical analysis and its application to tree inventory and performance management systems.
• Working knowledge of tree growth regulator and herbicide application methodology, environmental fate and mobility and activity in local plans and environment, preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to vegetation management operations and endangered species, preferred.
• Working knowledge of comprehensive contractor performance evaluation systems, preferred.
• Working knowledge of local tree identification, habit and growth characteristics, preferred.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and mainframe systems and related software applications (e.g. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Access, Word, etc.)
• Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.
• Working knowledge of LEAN continuous improvement principles and best practices to achieve operational excellence.
• Working knowledge of SafeStart principles and best practices to achieve a safe workplace environment.

Skills Requirements

• Ability to perform both as an individual contributor and as a member of a self-directed work team.
• Ability to remain flexible in a demanding working environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills in order to effectively communicate and respond to sensitive issues with all levels of the organization as well as external customers using tact, courtesy and discretion.
• In-depth analytical and computational skills for technical and statistical computations and for monitoring and analyzing forecasts.
• Demonstrated organizational and conceptual skills to be able to assess the demands of the job and to recommend proper actions.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities to work with, influence, motivate, and persuade a variety of groups or individuals (internal/external customers; e.g. crews, contractors, professional/local organizations, etc.) occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues.
• Must be willing and able to hike distances in difficult, mountainous terrain.
• Must be willing and able to be transported by helicopter.

Experience Requirements

• Multiple years (5-7) experience in utility vegetation management functions, including arboriculture.
• Few years (1-2) of active, hands-on experience in tree trimming and care, preferred.

Role: Professional

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: Honolulu – Oahu

 Hiring Range: The hiring range for the System Arborist [Req ID 10231] position is $78,000.00 to $99,600.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications.  

About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.

The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.

Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.

Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.

EEO Statement
Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. 

Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.

Affiliate Disclaimer
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light (“Company”) are Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) regulated companies. The disclosure relating to Affiliate Transaction Requirements that follows is made pursuant to the PUC’s Decision and Order No. 35962, issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019 in Docket No. 2018-0065.

By submitting your application, you understand and acknowledge that, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate, said Affiliate will be required to make a one-time payment to the Company in an amount up to twenty-five percent (25%) of your base annual compensation.  

In addition, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate or an Affiliate-Related Entity, for a period of one year, you cannot appear in negotiations or otherwise interact directly with the Company or work on the same matter that you worked on while with the Company. 

Affiliate is defined as “any person or entity that possesses an ‘affiliate interest’ in a utility as defined by section 269-19.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), including a utility’s parent holding company, except as otherwise provided by HRS section 269-19.5(h).”

Affiliate-Related Entity is defined as “a third party that provides electricity-related services in a regulated utility’s service territory that has a material financial, operational, or ownership interest with an unregulated affiliate of the utility and of whom the utility has reasonable knowledge.” 

For a current list of all Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities, please see:
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/about-us/key-performance-metrics/financial/affiliate-transactions

This list may be amended, updated or revised from time to time without notice.