SUCCESS AT WESTERN STATES: Western State's culture is based on passion for our Vision, Mission, and VALUES. We are fiercely committed to SAFETY and sending every employee, safely home, every day. We strive for EXCELLENCE in all we do and are proud to be a "play to win" organization. We act with INTEGRITY in each and every decision we make. Our People and TEAMWORK drive a fun and engaging culture. We are ACCOUNTABLE as individuals and as an organization.

Job Summary: The Forestry Application Specialist is a Sales Department position, but will work across Western States divisions of sales, parts, and service to help support the forestry industry and our customers throughout Western States territory. This position is responsible for conducting equipment demonstration and technical communication for the forestry machinery we represent, which includes Caterpillar, Weiler, Satco and T-Winch. This includes onsite training and support to customers and assistance for sales professionals by identifying features, benefits, maintenance, and operation of these products. This role will identify current and future opportunities to increase our market penetration and overall impact as it relates to our forestry industry.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Safety

• Actively cares, promotes, manages, and advocates safety at Western States. As a leader and team member in the organization, it is critical to ensure all employees, vendors, and clients have a safe work environment while adhering to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and standards.
• Maintains clean/clutter free personal work areas to ensure safe environments for all WSECO employees.
• Adhering to required personal protective equipment (PPE) as identified in safety policy.

Communication, Training and Troubleshooting

• Plans and conducts equipment demonstrations as required by the Sales Department.
• Conducts machine delivery training for customers, including application startup and operation set up.
• Communicates with our forestry partners, sales professionals, account managers, product support reps, and sales managers to promote and develop our forestry markets.
• Performs site assessments as required by customers and sales group.
• Oversees and manages customer related production studies.
• Maintains knowledge of forestry applications and features and benefits of all forestry equipment sold and serviced by Western States.
• Communicates directly with customers and partners to resolve machine performance
• Conducts internal training as necessary to support sales. Partners with Product Support to identify gaps in parts and service training.
• Conducts professional machine demos and head-to-head demos versus the competition.
• Develops an operation assessment when a machine or fleet is not meeting the expectations of the operator, supervisor, or owner.
• Manages conflicts that may arise when a machine is not performing, and it cannot be determined if a problem is a mechanical issue or an operator issue.

Sales Support, Inspections and Travel

• Supports sales professionals and management team by making sure that all the stakeholders in an organization know the advantages of owning and operating the products we represent vs. the competition.
• Helps inspect used forestry machines and attachments for trade.
• Completes re-visits on new machine sales at a designated time frame set by all interested parties or on major shop rebuilds to answer questions, check for issues, direct any service repairs, etc.
• Ability to travel the full dealer territory to assist with all sales professionals, service departments and customers to promote, service, sell and train on forestry equipment. Overnight stays required.
• Assists customers with operator training and maintenance practices on new machine deliveries.
• Assists Service Department in troubleshooting machine operational problems in the field.
• Adheres to all customer care standards.
• Actively cares and advocates safety at Western States. Adhere to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and standards.
• May accomplish training and serve as a team member in support of Western States' strategic programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Works within and promote corporate vision, mission, and values of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to travel up to 50% including overnight, as needed.
• Knowledge of Microsoft office software.
• Working knowledge of heavy equipment.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Consistent attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proof of high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Five years equivalent experience in the forestry industry required.
• Successful completion of Caterpillar machine operator training preferred.
• Caterpillar Certified Operator Certificate preferred.
• Must be able to communicate (speak, read, comprehend, write in English).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Frequent walking, standing, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, climbing, twisting, and leaning.
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs. in accordance with Western States' Lifting Safe Work Practice.
• Must be able to meet all safety requirements for applicable safety policies.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this classification.