Crew Leader

Wright Tree Service•Saint Paul, MN

About The Position

The Crew Leader provides support and coaching to a tree-trimming or clearing crew to help meet production goals. Under the direction of the General Foreperson, the Crew Leader identifies safety hazards, ensures compliance with applicable safety requirements, assigns and prioritizes work, and supports the crew’s performance. The role involves tree trimming, removal and felling; herbicide application; working near energized power lines and hazardous equipment; coordinating with customers and property owners; and maintaining records, vehicles, tools and equipment. The Crew Leader helps conduct safety training and pre-job briefings, inspects work areas, interprets work maps and circuit information, and establishes traffic controls to protect crew members and the public. The position also supports emergency and natural-disaster response, which may require call-outs, extended hours, holiday or weekend work, and travel outside the regular work location. Extensive travel is indicated. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, routinely in changing weather and on rugged terrain, with exposure to electrical and mechanical hazards, heights, noise, vibration, chemicals, insects and other environmental conditions. The job requires at least three years of experience on tree-trimming or clearing crews, or successful completion of applicable skills assessments. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred but not required. Current First Aid and CPR cards are required, or must be obtained within 90 days of hire. The listed hourly wage is $35.46–$36.31. The posting mentions union benefits and pay, growth opportunities, on-the-job training, potential overtime, and weekly pay.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience working on tree-trimming or clearing crews, or successful completion of applicable skills assessments.
Valid First Aid and CPR cards, or ability to obtain them within 90 days of hire.
Excellent leadership skills; ability to manage stressful situations and multitask.
Knowledge of tree identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques for trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing trees near energized conductors.
Strong customer-service and communication skills, including rapport-building, listening, questioning and patience; ability to communicate effectively with the public, customers and employees.
Knowledge of ANSI Z133.1 (current version) and ANSI A300 standards.
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, follow instructions accurately, and represent Wright Tree Service professionally.
Ability to read, write and comprehend written and verbal job instructions and information; English reading, writing and speaking are indicated.
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 be subject to call-out work.
Knowledge of and training in tree and bucket rescue.
Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including climbing, lifting, carrying and maneuvering equipment and objects.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent; 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, as required by Wright Tree Service and applicable local, state and federal law.
Keeps informed about new equipment, specifications, standards, practices and operating procedures.

Responsibilities

Coach and support crew members to achieve production goals, and allocate and prioritize work as directed by the General Foreperson.
Follow and coach employees on company policies, procedures, approved work methods, on-the-job safety practices and OSHA regulations.
Assist with safety training and pre-job briefings, assign crew tasks, and provide coaching in line with company and customer requirements.
Inspect work areas before beginning work to identify potential hazards and determine steps to address them.
Trim, remove and fell trees using climbing equipment and ground tools, including work near energized power lines.
Use applicable herbicide equipment to treat stumps and brush, maintain application records, and obtain property-owner permission for tree work and herbicide application.
Coordinate access to job sites with customers and property owners, explain planned work and potential interruptions, and cooperate with customers, property owners and emergency personnel when blocking streets or driveways.
Load vehicles and equipment with manageable limbs and logs not suited for chipping, and repair minor property damage caused at job sites.
Maintain customer and public relations through effective work and appropriate crew conduct; escalate situations to the General Foreperson promptly when needed.
Maintain crew production records and reports, including timesheets, work orders, work units, labor hours, assignment distribution and cost control.
Obtain and interpret work maps and understand drawings and symbols for power-line types, voltages and equipment; assist the General Foreperson with assigning daily work orders.
Set up warning signs, barriers and flags; relay hand signals, direct traffic and use other traffic-control devices to protect employees and the public.
Stage and clean up tools and equipment, maintain an orderly work area, inspect vehicles and equipment, perform routine maintenance, and report specialized maintenance needs to the General Foreperson.
Support and coordinate crew response during emergencies or natural disasters, including identifying steps to eliminate hazards and trim or remove trees; travel outside the regular work location when required.
Support Wright’s safety and employee-ownership culture, comply with applicable laws and company policies, and maintain regular, punctual attendance at work and meetings.
Drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment; operate and service required tools and equipment.