Tree Trimmer 442

About the role

We are hiring Entry-level and Skilled Trimmers and Climbers. On-the-job training is provided. This is an opportunity to build a career in the Line Clearance industry. Our crews trim, top, and reshape trees to remove low-hanging, dead, and excess branches, providing clearance for utility powerlines. This position involves working outdoors in all weather conditions.

Essential functions & 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, pruner, 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.
• Operates and services all required tools/equipment.
• Plans, assigns, directs, checks, and coordinates work.
• Obtains written or oral permission from property owners to trim or remove trees or perform other work on property.
• Arranges with customer or property owner to obtain access, advises of interruption, explains work to be done, etc.
• Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations through the effective accomplishment of assigned work and the appropriate behavior of employees on the crew.
• Sprays areas with equipment to prevent further growth.
• Loads/unloads trucks.
• Feeds brush & debris into a woodchipper.
• Repairs minor job-related damage to lawns, fences, and walkways.
• Services gasoline, air, hand-powered tools, and other equipment.
• Relays hand signals, directs traffic, drives, and operates trucks and equipment, as assigned.
• 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.
• Keeps trucks and work areas clear and orderly.
• Safeguards employees and the public from hazards in and around the work area.
• Cooperates with customers, police, and fire departments when blocking streets or driveways.
• Sets up barriers, warning signs, flags, markers, etc. to protect employees and the public.
• Performs tree and bucket rescue (training provided).
• Assists in training new employees.
• Assumes responsibility for the inspection and proper working conditions of tools, trucks, and other work equipment.
• Uses hand tools, such as axes, handlines, saws, block and tackle, pruners, etc.
• Trains new personnel.
• Requests repair or replacement, when necessary.
• Maintains good housekeeping on trucks and at work locations.
• Performs other related work, as assigned by superiors.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be able to work with hands above head for extended periods of time.
• Must be able 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.
• Ability to obtain the knowledge to identify tree and shrub species.
• No fear of heights.
• Must have good hand-to-eye coordination.
• Willing and able to work long hours and overtime during emergencies, including holidays and weekends.

Education & experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Entry-level position, no experience required.
• Previous experience is a plus.

License & certifications

• Ability to obtain a Driver's License or Commercial Driver's License when required.
• Ability to obtain Herbicide license when required.

Pay

Competitive, Hourly, based on experience.

Benefits

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

Schedule

Full-Time +, Non-Exempt. Willing and able to work long hours and overtime during emergencies, including holidays and weekends.

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

Work environment & safety

• Employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools.
• Must be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.
• Must have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain.
• Must be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day.
• Must be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information.
• Must communicate and handle conflict professionally.
• Works in all temperatures and will be exposed to nature i.e., irritating plants and biting or stinging insects.
• Works near energized parts or equipment.
• Works in traffic.
• Works around excessive noise from machines, jackhammers, gas drills, and other equipment with proper hearing protection.
• Exposed to hazards of working near power equipment, traffic, high voltage wires, and falling limbs.