General Foreperson

Wright Tree Service•Fridley, MN

22h

About The Position

The General Foreperson provides support and coaching to a line clearance crew to help achieve production goals. The role identifies safety hazards, ensures compliance, and allocates and prioritizes job-site work as directed by the Project Manager. It directly supervises crew members, including assigning work, applying union agreements, and managing performance and coaching in accordance with company policies, procedures, and customer requirements. The General Foreperson trains and coaches employees on safety practices, approved work methods, company procedures, and OSHA requirements; conducts safety training and pre-job briefings; and coordinates additional training with the Safety Education Training team. The role collaborates with Human Resources on hiring and other employment matters, interprets utility maps and electrical drawings, assigns daily work orders, and maintains crew production records. It also controls costs, supports investigations and claims, inspects and maintains vehicles and equipment, and communicates with customers, property owners, utility representatives, contractors, government agencies, and the public. The position works near hazardous equipment and energized power lines. During emergencies or natural disasters, the General Foreperson may be called to duty and travel outside the regular work location, coordinating the crew’s response and determining appropriate steps to eliminate hazards and trim or remove trees. The role supervises crew employees, operates assigned vehicles and equipment, and supports Wright’s safety and employee-ownership culture. Substantial travel is indicated (25%–50%).

Requirements

Minimum 4–5 years of experience on tree trimming or 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 customer or contract requirements, and a DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.
Excellent leadership skills and ability to handle stressful situations and multitask.
Knowledge of trees, including 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 and effectively 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 understand circuit maps.
Knowledge of OSHA electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards, including 29 CFR 1910.269.
Ability to determine nominal voltage, properly use insulated tools near energized parts, and distinguish exposed live parts from other electrical equipment parts.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to represent Wright Tree Service professionally 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 holidays, weekends, and storm work, and to be subject to call-out work.
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.
Ability to perform physical activities including bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions; occasionally reach upward and downward; exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently, or 10 pounds constantly; maintain required visual acuity; and enter and exit vehicles and equipment repeatedly.
English reading, writing, and speaking ability.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent is 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

Provide direct oversight and supervision of line clearance crew members, including assigning work, applying union agreements, and managing performance and coaching.
Train and coach employees on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods, and OSHA regulations.
Conduct safety training, stand-downs, and pre-job briefings; coordinate additional training initiatives with the Safety Education Training team.
Collaborate with Human Resources on hiring, discipline, separation, leaves of absence, employment relations, and policy enforcement.
Interpret utility maps, work orders, drawings, and symbols for tree trimming, removals, and chemical application; assign daily work orders.
Maintain crew production records and reports, including timesheets, work orders, work units, manhours, assignments, and locations.
Control costs through effective manpower use, work methods, appropriate trimming, and equipment operation.
Support internal investigations and matters involving accidents, property damage claims, truck breakdowns, and workers’ compensation claims; potentially represent the company in settling minor claims.
Inspect vehicles and equipment, perform routine maintenance, and request major repairs or replacements when needed.
Maintain knowledge of equipment specifications, standard practices, and operating procedures.
Communicate with customers, property owners, the public, contractors, utility representatives, and government agencies; promote positive customer and public relations.
Coordinate crew response during emergencies or natural disasters, including determining steps to eliminate hazards and trim or remove trees.
Comply with applicable laws and company policies and procedures; maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment.
Supervise crew employees.
Work around hazardous equipment and in close proximity to energized power lines.
Travel outside the regular work location during emergencies or natural disasters when required.