Crew Leader

Crew Leader

The Crew Leader provides support and coaching to the crew to achieve production goals. This role identifies safety hazards and ensures compliance along with task allocation and prioritization of work on the job site as directed by their General Foreperson.

The essential job duties include:

• Adheres to and coaches employees on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods, and OSHA regulations. Assists with conducting necessary safety training, pre-job briefings, designating crew member assignments and coaching in accordance with company policies, procedures, and customer requirements.
• Uses applicable herbicide equipment to treat stumps and brush. Maintain appropriate application records.
• Obtains permission from property owners to trim or remove trees and apply herbicides. Works with customer or property owner to gain access to the job site, advises of potential interruption, and explains the work needing to be completed.
• Works around hazardous equipment and in close proximity to energized power lines.
• Trims, removes and/or fells trees using climbing equipment, such as a powered trimmer lift truck, safety belt, climbing line, and ladder. Also works on the ground using hand saws, ground saws, pruners or other applicable tools.
• Conducts pre-inspection of work area to identify potential hazards.
• Loads vehicles and equipment with manageable size limbs and logs not suited for wood chipping.
• Repairs minor damage to property that occur on the job site. Escalates situations to General Foreperson's when necessary and in a timely manner.
• Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations through effective completion of assigned work and the appropriate behavior of employees on the crew.
• Maintains records, and reports related to the production of the crew, such as timesheets, work orders, units of work, manhours, distribution of crew assignments and controlling costs, to meet organizational goals.
• Obtains and interprets maps from General Foreperson or utility showing work orders to be completed for tree trimming, removals and chemical application. Responsible for understanding drawings and symbols representing types of power lines, voltages, and line equipment per industry standard and assisting General Foreperson with assigning daily work orders.
• Sets up warning signs, barriers, flags, relays hand-signals, directs traffic and other applicable traffic control devices to protect employees and members of the public from hazards in and around the work area. Cooperates with property owner, customer, and emergency personnel when blocking streets or driveways.
• Staging and clean-up of tools and equipment at the job site. Maintains a neat and orderly work area.
• Conducts vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure proper working conditions. Conducts routine maintenance on company vehicles, equipment and tools. Reports specialized vehicle maintenance or equipment needs to General Foreperson.
• During emergencies or natural disasters may be required to be on duty and travel outside of regular work location for the duration of the disaster. Assists with contacting and coordinating the crew's response to such work and responsible for determining proper steps necessary to eliminate hazards and trim/remove trees while onsite during emergency response.
• Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright's culture of safety and employee ownership.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintain knowledge of and follow all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required include:

• Possess excellent leadership skills and be able to handle stressful situations along with being able to multi-task.
• Knowledge of trees, including identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques specific to trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing, in close proximity to energized conductors.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills focused on rapport-building, listening, questioning and patience. Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, customers and employees.
• Knowledge and understanding of the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations (ANSI Z133.1-current version) and American National Standards for Proper Pruning (ANSI A300).
• Ability to adhere and educate on company and industry safety requirements.
• Knowledge of electrical circuits and skilled in reading and understanding of circuit maps.
• Knowledge of OSHA electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards, including 29 CFR 1910.269. Ability to determine nominal voltage, proper use of insulated tools near energized parts and distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment.
• Ability to learn quickly and to follow instructions accurately.
• Must be able to communicate with others and represent Wright Tree Service in a professional manner.
• Must be able to write, read, and comprehend written and verbal job instructions/information.
• Ability to recognize poisonous plants and take proper safeguard against them.
• Must be able to wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Ability to work long hours and overtime during emergencies (including holidays, weekends, storm work) and will be subject to call-out work.
• Demonstrate knowledge and trained to perform tree and bucket rescue.
• Ability to operate and service all required tools and equipment.
• Ability to work both independently and in a group.

Education, certification, and experience requirements include:

• Has a minimum of 3 years' experience working on tree trimming or clearing crews or has successfully completed applicable skills assessments.
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

Other preferred requirements include:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's or commercial driver's license (dependent upon Division and utility/contract requirements) and DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.
• Drive a vehicle with an attached chipper or other trailing unit to, from or within the work area.
• Maintain herbicide application certification or equivalent as required by Wright Tree Service and local, state, and federal law.
• Keeps informed of new equipment and specifications, standards, practices, and operating procedures.

Language requirements (read, write, speak):

• English - Read, Write, Speak
• Spanish - Read, Write, Speak
• Other Language _________________ - Read, Write, Speak

Travel requirements:

• No-Seldom
• Yes-Occasional (up to 5%)
• Yes-Moderate (5% to 25%)
• Yes-Substantial (25% to 50%)
• Yes-Extensive (greater than 50%)

Physical characteristics:

• Effective bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Occasionally reach upward and downward.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Possesses the ability to lift, move, and maneuver up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis and up to 30 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned or make general observations of the community; close visual acuity, such as reading a computer screen, reading printed material, inspection of small defects, and using measurement devices.
• Ability to enter and exit vehicles and equipment numerous times per day.

Environmental factors:

• Routine exposure to indoor and outdoor working conditions.
• Routine exposure to weather, climate and temperature, such as rain, heat, sun, cold, snow.
• Routine exposure to nature, such as irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, dust, etc; position works outdoor on rugged terrain.
• Routine exposure to noise, vibration, working hazards such as proximity to moving parts, mechanical equipment, moving vehicles, gasoline powered equipment, electrical current, heights, exposure to heat, exposure to chemicals, work in close quarters, narrow aisles