Foreperson 442

This position ensures the safe productivity of the crew, engages all employees on required training, operates and maintains equipment, and communicates directly with the General Foreperson.

Responsibilities

• Trims and/or removes trees by climbing with the aid of a ladder, safety belt, climbing line, powered trimmer lift truck, or works from the ground using gasoline, air, and hand-powered saws, pruners, etc.
• Cuts branches or trunk sections and drops or lowers them to the ground with lines.
• Uses wedges, sledges, and chain saws in felling trees or trimmed trunks and in cutting and splitting logs into manageable pieces.
• Loads and unloads trucks.
• Uses hand tools, such as axes, handlines, saws, block and tackle, pruners, etc.
• Feeds brush and debris into woodchipper.
• Repairs minor job-related damage to lawns, fences, and walkways.
• Services gasoline, air, hand-powered tools, and other equipment.
• Operates and services equipment, such as gasoline, hydraulic tools, power saws, power winches, buckets, chippers, and sprayers.
• Operates a bucket near energized lines to remove branches and tree material.
• Plans, coordinates, and assigns daily work for crew after receiving/interpreting orders from a General Foreperson/Line Clearance Supervisor.
• Conducts field training/retraining, instructing crew on new or revised job units.
• Enforces safe work practices, conducts safety training in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Discusses with property owner/customer(s) issues such as obtaining access, power interruption, work to be done; refers controversial cases to the General Foreperson.
• Obtains oral or written permission from property owners to perform required work.
• Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations.
• May investigate incident reports, damage claims, etc., and settle minor damage claims.
• Maintains accurate records, timesheets, and reports related to the performance of the crew operation.
• Furnishes General Foreperson and utility representative with reports of orders completed, units of work completed, crew time, minor damage repairs, etc.
• Periodically furnishes reports on incidents, truck breakdowns, private property damage, new employee follow-up, etc.
• Cooperates with customers, police, and fire departments when blocking streets or driveways.
• Safeguards employees and the public from hazards in and around the work area.
• Performs tree and bucket rescue.
• Sets up barriers, warning signs, flags, markers, etc., to protect employees and safeguard the public from hazards.
• In emergency situations, determines action to be taken to eliminate hazards to life and property.
• Inspects and makes or provides necessary repairs to tools, trucks, and other equipment.
• Maintains good housekeeping on truck and at work location.
• Responsible for DOT maintenance and inspection requirements on all required vehicles.
• Keeps informed regarding new equipment, specifications, standard practices, operating procedures, and customer and company employee relations policies and practices.
• Requests repair or replacement when necessary.
• Performs other related work as assigned by superiors.

Requirements

• Understanding of drawings and symbols representing lines, voltages, line equipment, etc.
• Knowledge to identify tree and shrub species.
• Ability to walk, climb, and work from ladders, or at various heights, on uneven and slippery surfaces, performing mentally/physically demanding work under unfavorable weather conditions while handling equipment or material.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Capability of adjusting to field requirements and taking independent action without close supervision.
• Ability to safely drive an approved company vehicle.
• Ability to work with hands above head for extended periods of time.
• Weight should not exceed approximately 300 pounds due to equipment capacity.
• No fear of heights.
• Willing and able to work long hours and overtime during emergencies, including holidays and weekends.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent preferred.
• 1+ year of related industry experience required.

License & Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Obtain Commercial Driver’s License within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to obtain Herbicide license when required.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to report and/or travel for storm emergencies.

Physical Requirements

• Rare (less than 10%): Sitting, Kneeling, Crawling, Color Vision, Climbing Stairs
• Occasional (up to 33%): Stooping, Squatting, Climbing On/Off Truck, Climbing Ladders, Pushing, Reading
• Frequent (up to 66%): Carrying, Pulling, lifting up to 50 lbs., Balancing, body-twisting, Hearing/Speech Range, Lifting, lifting up to 10 lbs., Manual Dexterity, Speaking Clearly, Walking
• Continuous (up to 100%): Standing, Sense of Touch, Gripping, Seeing Distant, Reaching, range-of-motion, Depth Perception, lifting over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., Climbing Poles, Sense of Touch

Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, withstand exposure to all kinds of weather, wear personal protective equipment, enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, traverse various terrain, and communicate effectively.

Benefits

• Company Sponsored Retirement Plan
• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life, long-term/short-term disability insurance

Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to all eligible employees on the first day of employment.