Crew Lead / Tree Climber

SavATree•Northbrook, IL

4d•$38•Onsite

About The Position

SavATree’s General Tree Care Team performs tree care work to maintain and preserve clients’ landscapes. The Crew Lead / Tree Climber works outdoors on a crew, applying climbing, pruning, and safety expertise to support tree health and provide quality customer service. Crew Lead is an additional specialty level for select individuals who have demonstrated leadership qualities and received approval from local branch management to direct a work crew. The role requires knowledge of the TCIA Crew Leader Training Program, crew and personal safety, hazards of inexperience, and the ability to check off skill levels equal to or below the role. The team handles pruning, removals, cable bracing, and other tree-care tasks. Team members safely operate equipment and perform assigned work while providing excellent service to clients. SavATree describes its workplace as offering training and development, continuing education, and opportunities to grow and advance.

Requirements

Experience with proper pruning practices, including large shade trees and ornamentals.
Ability to identify native and introduced tree and shrub species and working knowledge of their characteristics.
Ability to climb without spurs.
Experience with tree-care safety standards.
Practical knowledge of chainsaw and equipment operation.
Experience with aerial lifts, including bucket trucks.
Demonstrated competencies in all areas of knowledge for the designated skill level.
Advanced understanding of safety policies and procedures, including hazard tree identification.
Competence using climbing equipment and tools, including ropes, saddles, and ladders.
Competence with chainsaw operations in small- to medium-difficulty trees (40–50 feet).
Knowledge of ANSI A300 Pruning Standards and Terminology and ANSI Z safety.
Knowledge of tree species and climbing techniques for oaks, maples, dogwoods, apples (crab and regular), hemlocks, pines, and spruce.
Knowledge of safe lowering-line placement, tag-line use, lowering techniques, double-crotching, tree takedown, and aerial rescue.
Desire to work outdoors.
Valid U.S. driver’s license to operate company vehicles.
Must be authorized to work lawfully in the U.S.
For Crew Lead duties, demonstrated leadership qualities and approval from local branch management.

Nice To Haves

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Responsibilities

Work as part of a General Tree Care crew to provide high-quality tree care to clients.
Direct a work crew as an approved Crew Lead.
Perform pruning, tree removals, cable bracing, and related tree-care work.
Safely operate equipment and complete assigned job tasks while providing excellent client service.
Use climbing ropes, saddles, ladders, and associated tools appropriately.
Apply proper pruning practices, branch-collar knowledge, pruning cuts, and ANSI A300 pruning standards and terminology.
Climb trees using safe techniques, including raising ladders and throwing ropes.
Set up lowering lines safely, determine when to use tag lines, and apply appropriate lowering techniques.
Use double-crotch and other suitable techniques when working in trees.
Drop trees, determine when ropes are needed for takedowns, and identify potential needs for spikes.
Perform aerial rescue if needed.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of safety policies and procedures, including hazard tree identification.