General Foreperson

General Foreperson

The General Foreperson 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 Project Manager.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provides direct oversight and supervision of line clearance crew members. Including, but not limited to employee work assignments, interpretation and application of Union Agreements, performance management and coaching in accordance with company policies, procedures, and customer requirements.
• Adheres to, trains and coaches employees on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods, and OSHA regulations.
• Conducts necessary safety training, stand downs, and pre-job briefings. Engages Safety Education Training team to coordinate additional training initiatives to address areas of opportunity and concern.
• Collaborates with Human Resources regarding employment for crew members including, but not limited to, hiring, discipline, separation of employment, leaves of absence FMLA/ADA, as well as policy overall enforcement. Must understand Form I-9 process and proper interviewing techniques as well as exercise fair and reasonable judgment working through employee relations matters.
• Obtains and interprets maps from the 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 assigning daily work orders.
• Responsible for maintaining records, and reports related to the production of the crew, such as timesheets, work orders, units of work, manhours, distribution of crew assignments and locations.
• Responsible for controlling costs, including effective use of manpower, work methods, proper amount of trimming, and operation of equipment to meet organizational goals.
• Works closely with internal departments to support accident investigations, property damage claims, truck breakdowns and workers compensation claims. May be a designated representative to settle minor claims.
• Conducts vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure proper working conditions. Conducts routine maintenance on company vehicles, equipment and tools and request major repairs and replacements when necessary.
• Maintains knowledge of new equipment specifications, standard practices and operating procedures.
• Remains in contact with customers, property owners, general public, other contractors, and utility representatives and governmental agencies 20-30% of the time. Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations through courteous communication on behalf of Wright Tree Service.
• Works around hazardous equipment and in close proximity to energized power lines.
• 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.

Other Duties:

• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

• Oversees crew employees.

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements:

• 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 professionally and effectively with the general public, customers and employees at all levels.
• 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, educate, and enforce 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.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products.
• 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 & Experience Requirements:

• Has a minimum of 4-5 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.
• 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.

Other Preferred Requirements:

• 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.

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:

This position may require physical demands and activities including:

• Effective bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Occasionally reach upward and downward.
• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• 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 or passageways, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, cleaning chemicals, dust, odors, and a variety of pests.

COMPANY STATEMENTS (U.S. Only):

Job Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.