Crew Leader

Wright Tree Service•Nashville, TN

13d

About The Position

The Crew Leader supports and coaches the crew in achieving production goals, identifies safety hazards, ensures compliance, and allocates and prioritizes job-site work as directed by the General Foreperson. The role performs and coordinates tree trimming, removal, felling, and herbicide application, while working near energized power lines and hazardous equipment. It also involves communicating with customers and property owners, protecting the public and work crew through traffic control, maintaining job-site equipment and records, and coordinating emergency response when required. The Crew Leader promotes Wright’s safety and employee-ownership culture, follows applicable laws and company procedures, and maintains regular, punctual attendance. The position may require extensive travel, work outside the regular location during emergencies or natural disasters, and long hours, overtime, weekend and holiday work, and call-outs. The role is primarily outdoors and may involve rugged terrain, variable weather, heights, electrical current, chemicals, moving machinery and vehicles, noise, vibration, and other listed environmental exposures.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience working on tree-trimming or clearing crews, or successful completion of applicable skills assessments.
Excellent leadership skills and ability to handle stressful situations and multitask.
Knowledge of tree identification, growth habits, and arboricultural techniques for trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining, and removing trees near energized conductors.
Excellent customer-service and communication skills, including rapport-building, listening, questioning, patience, and effective communication with the public, customers, and employees.
Knowledge and understanding of ANSI Z133.1 (current version) and ANSI A300.
Ability to follow and teach company and industry safety requirements.
Knowledge of electrical circuits and ability to read and understand circuit maps.
Knowledge of OSHA electric-power generation, transmission, and distribution standards, including 29 CFR 1910.269.
Ability to determine nominal voltage, use insulated tools properly near energized parts, and distinguish exposed live parts from other electrical equipment parts.
Ability to learn quickly and follow instructions accurately; communicate professionally on behalf of Wright Tree Service; and read, write, and understand written and verbal job instructions.
Ability to recognize poisonous plants and take appropriate precautions.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
Ability to work long hours and overtime during emergencies, including holidays, weekends, and storm work, and to respond to call-outs.
Knowledge of and training in tree and bucket rescue.
Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
English reading, writing, and speaking ability.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, visual tasks, and frequent entry to and exit from vehicles and equipment.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds frequently or constantly to move objects; ability to lift, move, and maneuver up to 50 pounds infrequently and up to 30 pounds frequently.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent is preferred but not required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license or commercial driver’s license, depending on division and utility or contract requirements, and a DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.
Ability to drive a vehicle with an attached chipper or other trailing unit to, from, or within the work area.
Herbicide-application certification or equivalent, maintained as required by Wright Tree Service and applicable local, state, and federal law.
Staying informed about new equipment and specifications, standards, practices, and operating procedures.
Valid First Aid and CPR cards, or ability to obtain them within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

Coach crew members on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods, and OSHA requirements.
Assist with safety training and pre-job briefings; assign crew tasks and provide coaching according to company policies, procedures, and customer requirements.
Apply herbicides to stumps and brush using applicable equipment, and maintain application records.
Obtain property-owner permission to trim or remove trees and apply herbicides.
Coordinate access to job sites with customers or property owners, advise them of potential interruptions, and explain the work to be performed.
Trim, remove, or fell trees using climbing equipment, and perform ground work with applicable saws, pruners, and other tools.
Inspect work areas before starting to identify potential hazards.
Load manageable-size limbs and logs unsuitable for wood chipping; repair minor property damage caused at the job site.
Escalate situations to the General Foreperson promptly when necessary.
Promote good customer and public relations through effective work and appropriate crew behavior.
Maintain crew production records and reports, including timesheets, work orders, units of work, labor hours, crew assignments, and cost controls.
Obtain and interpret work maps from the General Foreperson or utility; understand drawings and symbols for power lines, voltages, and line equipment, and assist with assigning daily work orders.
Set up warning signs, barriers, and flags; relay hand signals, direct traffic, and use traffic-control devices to protect employees and the public.
Coordinate with property owners, customers, and emergency personnel when streets or driveways must be blocked.
Stage and clean up tools and equipment, and maintain an orderly work area.
Inspect company vehicles and equipment, perform routine maintenance, and report specialized maintenance needs to the General Foreperson.
During emergencies or natural disasters, remain on duty and travel outside the regular work location as required; help coordinate the crew’s response and determine appropriate steps to eliminate hazards and trim or remove trees.
Support and participate in Wright’s safety and employee-ownership culture; comply with applicable laws and company policies and procedures.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.
Drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment.
Operate and service required tools and equipment; perform tree and bucket rescue when trained.