Job Details

West Coast Tree Service, Inc. (WCTS) is a rapidly-growing line-clearance and vegetation-management company based in Anderson, California. We provide tree care, right-of-way maintenance, and emergency storm services to residential, commercial, and utility clients throughout the western United States. Due to our growth in the utility sector, we are seeking a senior executive to lead the company's strategy, operations, and business development efforts, with a focus on electric and water utilities in California.

The Vice President – Utility Contracts & Operations reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for two primary mandates:

1. Utility contract development: build and execute a pipeline of vegetation-management contracts with investor-owned utilities (e.g., PG&E, SCE, SDG&E), municipal utilities, and public agencies. This includes participating in trade associations, marketing WCTS's services to utility clients, researching and identifying opportunities, preparing bids, and negotiating contract terms.
2. Operational leadership: oversee day-to-day field operations, safety, and financial performance of WCTS's utility services division. Responsibilities include defining and implementing operational strategy, managing budgets and P&L accountability, mentoring managers, and ensuring compliance with California's vegetation-management regulations.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned utility vegetation management professional with a proven track record of securing long-term contracts with California utilities and leading large-scale field operations.

• Market WCTS's services to utility clients: actively participate in trade associations and utility-focused organizations; position WCTS as a partner of choice for integrated vegetation management.
• Identify opportunities: research upcoming procurement opportunities through the CPUC's General Order 156 supplier-diversity program and individual utility solicitations; focus on tree-trimming, fuel-reduction, and wildfire-mitigation contracts.
• Proposal & bid management: prepare proposals, cost estimates, and technical responses; analyze contract specifications, risk, financial impact, and scheduling considerations; negotiate pricing and terms that align with corporate growth goals.
• Relationship management: build senior-level relationships with utility vegetation-management executives, public-utility commissions, fire-protection agencies, and community stakeholders to position WCTS for repeat business.

• Define and implement operational strategies: establish an organizational structure, processes, and technology to support utility work. Monitor performance and proactively identify efficiency improvements.
• Budgeting & financial control: manage annual and quarterly budgets; own P&L for the utility services division; prepare profit-and-loss statements and financial forecasts.
• Regulatory compliance: ensure all utility vegetation-management work meets CPUC General Order 95, Public Resource Codes 4292 and 4293 requirements, and California's fire-break and clearance standards. Field crews must maintain a minimum 12-foot clearance from high-voltage lines and remove dead, diseased, or structurally unsound trees that could fall into lines.
• Safety culture: implement and audit safety programs consistent with OSHA and ANSI Z133; ensure crews use certified arborists and utility specialists. SCE notes that utilities trim or remove approximately 700,000 trees each year in California to maintain safe clearances and mitigate wildfire risk; WCTS's VP must champion a safety culture that meets or exceeds these industry standards.
• Integrated vegetation management: promote best practices (e.g., risk-based inspections, LiDAR and aerial patrols, hazard tree removal) and adopt technology for work planning and data management. Liberty Utilities' vegetation program uses LiDAR and remote sensing and employs ISA-certified arborists to inspect, prune, and remove trees for power-line clearance.

• Lead and develop managers: hire, mentor, and evaluate management-level staff; set performance goals and conduct reviews.
• Establish culture: foster an inclusive, accountable, and safety-first culture; set training goals for crews and ensure compliance with WCTS's corporate safety program.
• Collaboration: coordinate with finance, HR, fleet, and legal to support operations; provide regular updates to the CEO on operations, issues, and opportunities.

• Education: bachelor's degree in business, forestry, environmental science, or related field. MBA or master's degree preferred. ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Utility Specialist credentials strongly preferred.
• Experience: minimum 10 years of utility vegetation-management or line-clearance experience, including 5 + years in executive or operational leadership roles. Demonstrated success in securing multi-year contracts with investor-owned utilities or public agencies in California. Experience with P&L management and contract negotiation.
• Business development acumen: ability to read and interpret complex contracts, develop winning proposals, and navigate utility procurement processes.
• Regulatory & technical knowledge: deep understanding of California utility regulations, including GO 95 clearance standards and state fire-prevention codes (PRC 4292/4293). Familiarity with integrated vegetation management, risk-based inspection methods, and modern work-planning technology.
• Leadership & communication: strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to build consensus, mentor teams, and represent WCTS with customers, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Financial & analytical skills: proven ability to manage budgets, analyze financial data, and drive cost-effective operations.
• Travel: ability to travel throughout California and the western states to meet clients, inspect projects, and support emergency response operations. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

West Coast Tree Service offers a highly competitive executive compensation package (base salary, performance incentives, vehicle stipend) commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a cover letter detailing their experience with utility vegetation management contracts and operational leadership. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

West Coast Tree Service, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.