Crew Lead / Tree Climber

SavATree•Northbrook, IL

About The Position

SavATree’s General Tree Care Team provides tree care to help maintain and preserve clients’ landscapes. The Crew Lead / Tree Climber works outdoors on a General Tree Care crew, performing and guiding work involving pruning, removals, cable bracing, and related tree-care services. Crew Leads are selected individuals who have demonstrated leadership qualities and received approval from local branch management to direct a work crew. The role calls for specialized tree-climbing and safety knowledge, including TCIA Crew Leader Training Program topics, crew and personal safety, hazards of inexperience, and the ability to check off skill levels at or below the Crew Lead’s level. Team members safely operate equipment, perform assigned tasks, and provide service to clients. The position requires advanced competence in tree species, climbing techniques, pruning standards, chainsaw operation, lowering and rigging techniques, and aerial rescue. SavATree emphasizes quality and safety and offers training, development, and continuing education opportunities.

Requirements

Experience with proper pruning practices, including large shade trees and ornamental trees.
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 (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 chainsaws for small- to medium-difficulty trees (40–50 feet) and applying proper pruning cuts and branch-collar knowledge.
Knowledge of climbing techniques for different species, including oaks, maples, dogwoods, apples (crab and regular), hemlocks, pines, and spruce.
Ability to place lowering lines in a sufficiently strong crotch and use appropriate rigging techniques.
Desire to work outdoors.
Valid U.S. driver’s license to operate company vehicles.
Authorization to work lawfully in the U.S.
Crew Lead candidates must demonstrate leadership qualities and receive approval from local branch management.

Nice To Haves

CDL.

Responsibilities

Work as part of a General Tree Care crew to provide high-quality tree care to clients.
Direct a work crew when serving as an approved Crew Lead.
Perform tree pruning, removals, cable bracing, and other tree-care work.
Safely operate equipment and complete assigned job tasks while providing excellent client service.
Apply proper pruning practices, ANSI A300 standards and terminology, and ANSI Z safety requirements.
Use climbing ropes, saddles, ladders, and associated tools and specialized equipment properly.
Set up lowering lines safely, assess when to use tag lines or double-crotch techniques, and use appropriate lowering methods.
Raise ladders, throw ropes, and climb trees safely.
Drop trees and determine when ropes or spikes are needed for takedown.
Perform aerial rescue if needed.
Check off skill levels equal to or below the Crew Lead’s level.