General Foreperson

Wright Tree Service•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The General Foreperson supports and coaches a line-clearance crew to achieve production goals. The role provides direct supervision, assigns and prioritizes work as directed by the Project Manager, identifies safety hazards, and ensures compliance with company, customer, industry, and OSHA requirements. The General Foreperson coordinates safety training and pre-job briefings; works with Human Resources on hiring and employee relations matters; interprets utility maps and work orders; maintains crew production records; and controls costs through effective staffing, work methods, trimming, and equipment operation. The position inspects and maintains vehicles, equipment, and tools; supports accident investigations, claims, breakdowns, and workers’ compensation matters; and communicates with customers, property owners, the public, contractors, utilities, and government agencies. It may involve emergency response and travel outside the regular work location during disasters, including coordinating the crew and addressing hazards. The role requires work near hazardous equipment and energized power lines, operation of assigned vehicles and equipment, and regular, punctual attendance. The position involves substantial travel (25% to 50%) and may require long hours and overtime during emergencies, including weekends and holidays, with call-out work. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, often on rugged terrain and in varying weather, with exposure to electrical current, heights, moving equipment and vehicles, chemicals, noise, vibration, and other workplace and environmental hazards. Physical activities include bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, and repeated entry to and exit from vehicles and equipment; lifting or exerting force up to 50 pounds occasionally is specified.

Requirements

At least 4–5 years of experience on tree-trimming or tree-clearing crews, or successful completion of applicable skills assessments.
Valid First Aid and CPR cards.
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.
Leadership skills and 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.
Customer-service and communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with the public, customers, and employees at all levels.
Knowledge of ANSI Z133.1 (current version) and ANSI A300 standards.
Ability to follow, teach, and enforce company and industry safety requirements.
Knowledge of electrical circuits and ability to read and interpret 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 near energized parts, and distinguish exposed live parts from other equipment parts.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to communicate professionally on behalf of Wright Tree Service and to read, write, and understand written and verbal job instructions and information.
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 weekends, holidays, and storm work, and to respond to call-outs.
Knowledge of and training in tree and bucket rescue.
Ability to operate and service required tools and equipment.
Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 30 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent (preferred but not required).
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 law.

Responsibilities

Provide direct oversight and supervision of line-clearance crew members, including assignments, performance management, and coaching.
Train and coach employees on company policies, approved work methods, safety practices, and OSHA requirements.
Conduct safety training, stand-downs, and pre-job briefings, coordinating additional training with the Safety Education Training team as needed.
Collaborate with Human Resources on hiring, discipline, separations, leave matters, policy enforcement, and employee relations.
Obtain and interpret utility maps, drawings, and symbols; assign daily tree-trimming, removal, and chemical-application work orders.
Maintain crew production records and reports, including timesheets, work orders, units of work, labor hours, assignments, and locations.
Control costs through effective use of manpower, work methods, trimming practices, and equipment operation.
Support accident investigations, property damage claims, vehicle breakdowns, and workers’ compensation claims; may represent the company in settling minor claims.
Inspect vehicles and equipment, perform routine maintenance, and request major repairs or replacements when necessary.
Keep current on equipment specifications, standard practices, and operating procedures.
Communicate with customers, property owners, the public, contractors, utility representatives, and government agencies, and promote good customer and public relations.
Coordinate crew response during emergencies or natural disasters and determine appropriate steps to address hazards and trim or remove trees.
Support and act in accordance with the company’s safety and employee-ownership culture and comply with applicable laws and company policies.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.
Drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment.