Trimmer 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.

Responsibilities

• Assist with ground‑level vegetation management around power lines (tree pruning, vegetation removal, lifting logs, dragging brush, assisting climbers, hand‑up tools, using hand lines, etc.).
• Prune, remove branches, and lift logs while climbing or using an aerial lift, under direct supervision after proper training and demonstration of expertise.
• Support crews with site preparation, equipment setup, and job‑site cleanup.
• Operate and maintain tools such as chainsaws, chippers, sprayers, and ropes.
• Assist with rigging and felling of trees.
• Apply herbicides (with proper certification) to manage growth.
• Load/unload trucks and hike through challenging terrain carrying gear.
• Help with traffic control and public safety at the jobsite.
• Participate in daily job briefings and safety meetings.
• Travel to multiple worksites, including occasional overnight stays.
• Learn and follow all safety, environmental, and operational procedures.
• Drive and operate trucks and other equipment as assigned (with appropriate certifications).

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 months of experience working on tree crews as a groundperson or driver.
• Willingness to work at heights and learn climbing/aerial‑lift techniques.
• Understanding of basic tree identification and vegetation‑management practices.
• Trimmer Trainee technical knowledge and skills certification (or ability to complete).
• Valid driver’s license, CDL, and medical certification as required.
• CPR and First Aid certified (provided by Lewis).
• Ability to acquire and maintain required training and licenses for safe herbicide use.
• Strong work ethic, team mindset, and commitment to learning safely.
• Compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.

Physical Demands

• Lift 50 lb to shoulder height or higher.
• Push or pull up to 50 lb.
• Walk or hike up to one mile on uneven terrain.
• Endure extreme climate variances (severe cold to high heat and humidity).
• Hear, speak, see, and communicate effectively.
• Operate two‑handed tools and equipment continuously (standing, walking, handling/grasping, repetitive movements).
• Frequent: lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, stooping/kneeling, reaching.
• Occasional: driving, climbing stairs/ladders.
• Rare: tree ascending/descending.
• Expect variability in size, proportion, condition, and weight of supplies, equipment, and work conditions.

Environmental Conditions

• Continuous: outdoor work.
• Occasional: noise levels.
• Frequent: extreme temperatures.
• Rare: contact with hazardous materials or air‑quality issues.
• Never: confined spaces.
• Personal protective equipment required per OSHA and ANSI standards.

Tools & Equipment

Equipment may include:

• Aerial‑lift trucks, dump trucks, ATVs.
• Chainsaws, pole saws, handsaws, chippers.
• Blowers, pruners, rakes, winches, ropes.
• Climbing gear: harness, chaps, spikes.
• Sprayers, herbicides, fuel, cones, signs.
• Tablets and communication devices.

Pay

Competitive pay: $24.93 per hour.

Benefits

• Union benefits (Local 1249).
• Paid training and certifications.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).