RE: CONSUMERS ENERGY FORESTER

Job Title: Hydro Forester (G TECH ANL II)
Location: Cadillac
Functional Area: Utility Operations Generation
Employment Level: Professional (Non-Supervisor)
Requisition #: 50860469
Apply By: 11/27/2015

Department Summary
Hydro Operations oversees the operations and maintenance of 13 river hydroelectric facilities on the Au Sable, Manistee,
Muskegon, Grand, and Kalamazoo Rivers as well as the Ludington Pumped Storage Facility. As part of Hydro
Operations, the Hydro Land Management team oversees the compliance of the Land Management Plans for 11 of the 13
hydros as well as other requirements as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses to operate the hydro
facilities. Hydro Land Management oversees approximately 16,000 acres of land which includes lease/licensed areas,
recreation facilities, and forestry stands.

Job Description/Responsibilities
This position is within Hydro Operations. The Hydro Forester is responsible for the timber management on over 16,000
acres of forested lands associated with Consumers Energy’s Hydro Operations. These lands are located along the Au
Sable, Manistee, Muskegon, Grand and Kalamazoo Rivers as well as the Ludington Pumped Storage Facility and the
Campbell Generation Facility.

This position is responsible for:

  • The planning, marking, marketing, and oversite of all timber sales
  • Assisting on wildlife habitat and invasive species projects
  • Having knowledge of local threatened and endangered species
  • Conducting forest management decisions based on forest stand health/inventory analysis
  • Conducting entire hydro timber sale operation from initial timber sale planning through sale completion (including:marking of property lines and timber, cruising, GPS traversing, and sale advertising/awarding/administration)
  • Updating forest inventory information annually
  • Supporting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC ) work as required through Hydro Land Management Plans such as Buffer Zone Management, Wildlife Habitat Management and Threatened and Endangered Species Management
  • Maintaining all pertinent records and preparing any necessary reports
  • Regular evaluations of existing Hydro recreation facilities for required maintenance and act as primary contractor oversite for associated repair work
  • Coordinating and potentially performing all invasive species (such as garlic mustard) field activities including herbicide application
  • Maintaining professional/supporting relationships with other Consumers Energy departments such as Environmental and Forestry Operations
  • Maintaining professional/supporting relationships with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and the timber industry (loggers and sawmills)
  • The coordination of other land management operations, such as gravel operations

There is one position available in Cadillac, MI

Requirements/Qualifications
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected
veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

The successful candidate will have:

  • A Bachelors Degree in Forestry (preferred)
  • A valid state drivers license
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills
  • Access to reliable transportation and a willingness to travel 4x4 driving experience recommended
  • A willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions with extensive walking in all terrains
  • The ability to lift and move heavy objects
  • A Commercial Herbicide Applicator License or the ability to obtain one
  • A basic knowledge of GIS/GPS including but not limited to Solo Forest, Timber Cruising software, and ArcGIS
  • Knowledge or understanding of construction and carpentry concepts (desired)
  • A team player mentality and a willingness to assist in all functions of Hydro Operations and Hydro Land Management
  • A strong background in selling timber and associated functions
  • A strong background using Microsoft Office suite products such as Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.
  • The ability to work safely and independently, set priorities, and maintain high levels of productivity, all with minimal supervision
  • A basic knowledge of legal descriptions including the ability to navigate in the field with via complex surveys and legal descriptions is required
  • 5 or more years of related exempt work experience (typically) in the specialized field

The position will be filled at the appropriate job title in the General Technical job family up to General Technical Analyst II
level based on selected candidates skills, education and experience

Essential Functions:
General technical analysis supports the planning, technical analysis, general management, negotiations, transactions,
customer services and auditing of a wide variety of technical and business functions and technical processes of specific
operating and support areas throughout the company. Duties and who this individual reports to will fluctuate between
projects, departments and offices. Lead and/or assist with technical support for the plans, reports, impacts, contracts,
schedules, estimates, data collection, observation, and field investigation. Provide technical, non-engineering support
services with accuracy, on time and under budget. Use computer assisted applications software and equipment to
prepare technical support documents. Understand and follow company established standard procedures for file structure
and standard procedures for projects. Become familiar with business and technical plans and related material for each
project and be able to utilize the information appropriately. Assists in client contact and communication. Utilize effective
communication skills to answer inquiries from coworkers, clients, or the public. Public involvement may include producing
reports, graphics, presentations, and other visual material as well as occasional speaking or meeting with stakeholders.
Attend internal and external meetings. Provide technical support services in a legal and ethical manner.

Hours and Travel:
This position requires the individual work 40 hours per week with 90% of time spent in the office or specific field locations.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to
sit; stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and
reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and
move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and move up to seventy-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this
job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment
characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential
functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The noise level on the construction site
is often loud.

Company Overview
Join a diverse and dynamic team that makes and delivers the most valuable services in the world: electricity and natural
gas. At Consumers Energy, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our employees work around the clock to
provide service to our customers in honor of our history and to fulfill our promise to Michigan - Count on Us! Consumers
Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy and headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, provides natural gas and
electricity to nearly 6.8 million of the Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected
veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.