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Title:  Vegetation Work Planner

Department:  Vegetation Management
Location: 

Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824

Category:  Skilled/Craft/Trades

Minimum Pay Rate: $54.91 per hour

Maximum Pay Rate: $54.91 per hour

Apply by Date: 11/26/2025 

Posting Type: Open 

 

The intent of this posting is to establish an eligibility list, which may be used to fill permanent and limited-term vacancies for the next 24 months. 

 

 

Every day at SMUD, we deliver power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we have been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years.

 

We are a recognized industry leader and award winner for our innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for our sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. Through the efforts of the 2,400 people that power us, we work 24/7 to keep the lights on and provide our customers with innovative energy solutions.

 

We're one of the region's largest employers, with a reputation for attracting, developing, and retaining some of the most talented employees around.

 

Employee Benefits:

  • Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • Retirement through Public Employees Retirement System
  • 457 and 401(k) plans available
  • Flexible Savings Account
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Employee and Spouse Life Insurance

 

Purpose

Under general direction, plans and schedules work for tree crews engaged in pruning and removing trees on SMUD easements, and rights-of-way to maintain proper line clearance from high and low voltage power lines.

Nature and Scope

This is an advanced journey-level classification responsible for organizing, planning, and scheduling work for contract tree crews.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Patrols power lines in a designated area to determine management needs of vegetation located on private utility easements or publicly owned land.
  • Negotiates with property owners for permits to prune or remove vegetation in close proximity to primary or secondary power lines, as well as other SMUD facilities.
  • Performs post audit inspections to gauge compliance with SMUD's line clearance standards.Identifies construction alternatives, which improve reliability, most notably where trees are involved.
  • When appropriate, schedules and recommends tree crew makeup and work to tree crews.
  • Assists with SMUD's G.O.165 patrol program to assure compliance with CPUC mandated schedules.Assists tree crews as necessary; may perform non climbing, minor tree trimming work or services.

Required Education

  • High School diploma or equivalent

Required Experience Qualifications

  • Equivalent to two (2) years utility vegetation management work planning experience in an electric utility environment.

Required Licenses/Certificates

  • Must possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years.
  • Arborist/Utility Specialist: Must possess a valid ISA Certified Arborist credential.
  • Within one year of assuming the Vegetation Work Planner position, must achieve and maintain the ISA Utility Specialist credential.

Knowledge Of

Industry standards and practices pertaining to utility vegetation management; contract administration; G.O. 95; G.O.165: CDF requirements for line clearance; Transmission and distribution facility maps and symbols; OSHA and ANSI safety rules and work procedures related to energized line clearance tree pruning/removal work; tree identification, common names, growth habits and structure characteristics as to strengths; job planning; hazards involved in working in trees in the vicinity of high voltage lines; avoiding electrical shock;, first aid, and CPR; worksite protection requirements; and, hazard identification.

Skills To

Lay out, plan, and schedule work for contract tree crews; prepare written and/or computer-generated estimates for tree trimming and removal work; monitor tree work in progress and prepare post job audits; inspect and prepare reports on the condition of overhead transmission and distribution facilities; read Electrical facility maps and prepare preferred routes for tree crews; assist Lineworkers in construction, maintenance and repair of transmission and distribution lines, as it relates to vegetation management; identify and prepare work requests for line modifications which may potentially eliminate or significantly reduce tree trimming requirements; understand and follow oral and written instructions; read and understand safety procedures and training manuals on electrical theory; work in a safe manner; communicate effectively with co-workers and the general public; and operate SMUD vehicles safely and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Desirable Education

  • Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), and Professional Utility Vegetation Management Certificate University of Wisconsin certifications.
  • Associates or Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources related field (Arboriculture, Forestry, Environmental) desirable, but not required. 

Desirable Qualifications

  • Previous lead or supervisory experience equivalent to two years of utility vegetation management work planning experience. 
  • Knowledge of G.O.95 Rule 35, Public Resource Code (PRC 4292 & 4293), and Federal Regulatory requirements specifically (FAC 003) for Utility Vegetation Management.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

 

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

 

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together. 

 

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification.  As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

 

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
 

 

Why Sacramento, California?

 

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

 

On-site Work

 

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

 

CalPERS

 

SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
Req ID:  2567

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