Bucket Operator

Tree Trimmer

The Tree Trimmer role is a qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer responsible for pruning and removing trees, limbs and shrubs away from power lines to reduce vegetation interference. This role utilizes various types of equipment, tools, and techniques to perform basic tree maintenance while addressing growth patterns and ensuring tree health, and appearance.

Essential Job Duties:

• Loads vehicles and equipment with manageable size limbs and logs not suited for wood chipping.
• 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.
• Works aloft to cut branches or trunk sections and drop or lower them to the ground with rigging lines.
• Uses appropriate tools on the ground to fell trees or spars and split them into manageable pieces.
• Works around hazardous equipment and may work in close proximity to energized power lines while under the direct supervision of a qualified line clearance tree trimmer. Once the prerequisites for qualification have been met, may provide direct supervision of the activities of non-qualified employees working in close proximity to energized conductors.
• Applies herbicide and growth regulators to brush and stumps. Maintains appropriate application records.
• Adheres to and helps educate less experienced employees on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods and OSHA regulations.
• Repairs minor damage to property that occurs on the job site. Escalates situations to General Foreperson's when necessary and in a timely manner.
• Feeds brush and debris into woodchipper.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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:

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements:

• Must have basic knowledge of trees, including identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques specific to trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing, in close proximity to energized conductors.
• 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 coach employees 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 comprehend and/or read and write both written and verbal job instructions and safety 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 3 months of 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:

• 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:

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 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:

This position may be exposed to the following 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.