General Foreperson

Wright Tree Service•Lakeville, MN

About The Position

The General Foreperson supports and coaches a line-clearance crew to meet production goals, identifies safety hazards, ensures compliance, and allocates and prioritizes job-site work as directed by the Project Manager. The role directly supervises crew members, coordinates training and safety briefings, interprets utility work maps and electrical-line drawings, assigns daily work, maintains production records, and controls costs. It also involves coordinating with Human Resources and internal departments on employee matters, incidents, claims, equipment issues, and workers’ compensation; inspecting and maintaining vehicles, equipment, and tools; and communicating with customers, property owners, the public, contractors, utility representatives, and government agencies. The foreperson works near hazardous equipment and energized power lines and may need to travel and remain on duty during emergencies or natural disasters. The position requires substantial travel, outdoor work on rugged terrain, and the ability to work extended hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays during emergencies. The listed salary is $84,000, subject to experience.

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 compliant with FMCSA regulations.
Excellent leadership skills, ability to handle stressful situations, and ability to multitask.
Knowledge of trees, identification, growth habits, and arboricultural techniques for trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining, and removing trees near energized conductors.
Excellent customer-service and communication skills; 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 properly near energized parts, and distinguish exposed live parts from other electrical equipment parts.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to read, write, and understand written and verbal job instructions and information, and to represent Wright Tree Service professionally.
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 operate and service required tools and equipment and work independently or as part of a group.
English reading, writing, and speaking ability.

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 local, state, and federal law.

Responsibilities

Directly oversee line-clearance crew members, assign work, apply union agreements, and manage employee performance and coaching.
Follow, teach, and coach employees on company policies, approved work methods, on-the-job safety practices, and OSHA regulations.
Conduct required safety training, stand-downs, and pre-job briefings, and coordinate additional training with the Safety Education Training team.
Work with Human Resources on hiring, discipline, separation, leaves of absence, and policy enforcement; understand Form I-9 processes and proper interviewing techniques.
Obtain and interpret utility maps, work orders, drawings, and symbols for tree trimming, removals, chemical applications, power lines, voltages, and line equipment; assign daily work orders.
Maintain crew production records and reports, including timesheets, work orders, units of work, labor hours, assignments, and locations.
Control costs through effective staffing, work methods, appropriate trimming, and equipment operation.
Collaborate with internal departments on accident investigations, property damage claims, truck breakdowns, and workers’ compensation claims; serve as a designated representative for minor claims when applicable.
Inspect vehicles and equipment, perform routine maintenance on vehicles, equipment, and tools, and request major repairs or replacements as needed.
Keep current on equipment specifications, standard practices, and operating procedures.
Communicate with customers, property owners, the public, contractors, utility representatives, and government agencies, and maintain courteous customer and public relations.
Coordinate crew responses to emergencies and natural disasters, including determining appropriate steps to eliminate hazards and trim or remove trees.
Support and follow Wright’s safety and employee-ownership culture and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.
Drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment.