Operations Leadership Trainee

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Experience the great outdoors while working in nature, not stuck behind a desk!
• Elevate your career with us — we prioritize training and internal promotions!
• Join a vibrant team that champions safety, values your feedback, and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie!
• Shape your future with us through our fantastic Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)!

About the Role

The Operations Leadership Trainee opportunity is designed to build a pipeline of talent for future Operations leadership needs at Lewis. The program provides individuals with strong leadership potential a structured path to learn the utility vegetation management business while developing the operational and leadership capabilities needed for future field leadership opportunities. Participants gain progressive exposure to three levels of operational leadership: Crew Leader, General Foreperson, and Supervisor. Through these experiences, participants build skills across field operations, people leadership, safety, production, customer partnership, and business operations. This is a development-focused opportunity designed to support Lewis' future Operations leadership needs. Candidates are not expected to enter the program possessing every technical qualification associated with each rotational role. The goal is to develop high-potential talent who can grow into increased operational leadership responsibility as future business needs arise.

What You’ll Learn & Experience

• Field operations and the fundamentals of utility vegetation management, including how crews plan and safely execute work.
• Front-line leadership, including coaching, onboarding, performance feedback, team development and employee relations.
• Safety leadership, jobsite risk recognition, work planning and adherence to Lewis and customer requirements.
• Production and operational management, including work quality, productivity, crew utilization, equipment and cost awareness.
• Customer and stakeholder partnership with utility representatives, property owners, contractors and community partners.
• Business operations, including documentation, reporting, timekeeping, billing support, contract requirements and coordination with corporate teams.
• Leadership succession and talent development, including identifying and developing high-potential employees.
• Supervisor-level operational accountability, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, business development exposure and territory leadership.

Leadership Development Path

The Operations Leadership Trainee program provides progressive exposure to three levels of field leadership:

• Phase I – Crew Leader: Learn front-line crew leadership, safe work execution, field training, work planning and day-to-day production.
• Phase II – General Foreperson: Develop multi-crew leadership, production oversight, customer coordination, safety leadership, employee development and operational administration.
• Phase III – Supervisor: Build broader operational leadership capability, including General Foreperson oversight, customer and contract accountability, business management, talent planning and territory support.

What You’ll Do

• Learn Lewis field operations by working alongside experienced operational leaders and field teams.
• Support safe, efficient and high-quality vegetation management operations.
• Participate in work planning, crew and jobsite observations, safety activities and operational reviews.
• Build the skills to coach and support employees, communicate expectations and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Learn how operational leaders manage production, customers, equipment, documentation and business results.
• Partner with Operations and corporate functions such as Safety, Training, Human Resources and Talent Acquisition.
• Participate in internal and external training that supports technical, operational, business and leadership development.
• Travel as needed for field exposure, storm response and leadership development.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership potential and a genuine interest in developing a career in field Operations.
• Leadership experience from the military, school, work, athletics, community involvement or other relevant settings is valued.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, learn, ask questions and build relationships.
• Self-motivated, adaptable and willing to learn from hands-on field experience.
• Safety-minded with sound judgment and a willingness to speak up.
• Organized, forward-thinking and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Comfort working in outdoor environments and around field operations.
• Valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate a vehicle on behalf of the Company.
• High school diploma or GED required; college education, military leadership experience, forestry/arboriculture education or related experience is welcomed.
• Ability and willingness to obtain relevant industry certifications as development progresses.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Paid training and industry certifications
• Health, dental, vision & HSA options
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work Environment & Travel

This role combines field-based learning with operational and business-management exposure. Participants should expect outdoor work in varying weather and terrain, visits to active jobsites, and travel that may include overnight or extended stays for operational exposure, storm response and leadership development. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in accordance with Lewis, customer, OSHA and ANSI requirements.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, and perform repetitive keystrokes regularly
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and lift/move up to 25 lbs.
• Walk on uneven terrain and work in both indoor and outdoor environments
• Tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures and moderate to loud noise levels
• Continuously – Sitting, communicating, using computers
• Frequently – Driving, walking outdoors
• Occasionally – Climbing, lifting, kneeling
• Rarely – Exposure to hazardous materials
• Never – Confined spaces

Environmental Conditions

• Frequently – Outdoor work
• Occasionally – Noise levels, temperature extremes
• Rarely – Hazardous materials, air quality issues
• Never – Confined spaces

Conditions vary by region. PPE required per OSHA and ANSI standards.

Tools & Equipment

• Computers, phones, scanners, copiers
• Tablets and communication devices
• Vehicles for travel
• Standard office equipment

Our People Promise

Our commitment to Our People is key to the success of our business. We respect the differences between us, and we leverage those differences to create an environment where all employees feel welcome and fairly treated. We seek the best solutions possible by attracting and engaging a diverse workforce where all perspectives are sought out and valued.