Crew Leader

Wright Tree Service of Canada

• Chainsaw operating experience required
• Travel required
• Per-diem provided
• Costs covered for travel

Essential Job Duties

• 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.
• Supports the General Foreperson in the daily execution of project plans, production goals, safety expectations, and worksite standards.
• Reviews work scope, hazards, access constraints, customer concerns, traffic control needs, environmental considerations, and emergency response requirements with the crew.
• Ensures daily documentation is completed accurately, including tailboards, hazard assessments, work records, equipment inspections, and any required client or company documentation.
• Monitors crew performance and correcting unsafe acts, poor work practices, production inefficiencies, or standard-related concerns in real time.
• Supports safe and productive use of tools, equipment, vehicles, aerial lift equipment, rigging equipment, chainsaws, handsaws, chippers, and other job-related equipment.
• Ensures apprentices and less experienced workers are receiving clear direction, appropriate supervision, and practical field coaching.
• Participates in competency reviews for Utility Arborist Apprentices either entering the apprenticeship pathway, returning from school, or preparing to progress into higher levels of responsibility.
• Verifies and signs off, where appropriate, on worker competency related to field tasks such as chainsaw use, aerial lift operation, chipper operation, worksite setup, hazard recognition, emergency response, and safe utility vegetation management practices.
• Identifies worker competency and communicates gaps to the General Foreperson so that additional training, coaching, or supervision can be arranged.
• Participates as required in the BC Joint Health and Safety Committee process, including attendance at a monthly Teams meeting of approximately 45 minutes.
• Brings forward field-level safety concerns, near misses, lessons learned, equipment issues, procedural gaps, and worker feedback through the appropriate supervision and safety channels.
• Supports the implementation of company safety initiatives, client expectations, procedural changes, and cultural shifts in the field.
• Acts as a practical link between the General Foreperson and the crew by helping translate project expectations into daily field execution.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.
• 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.

Other Duties

• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements

• Ability to learn quickly and to follow instructions accurately.
• Ability to write, read, and comprehend written and verbal job instructions/information.
• Must be able to communicate with others and represent Wright Tree Service in a professional manner.
• 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.
• Ability to work both independently and in a group setting.
• 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 trees in close proximity to energized conductors.
• Experience recognizing poisonous plants and taking proper safeguards against them.
• Ability to operate and service all required tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of electrical circuits and skilled in reading and understanding 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 parts of electric equipment.
• 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 to and educate others on company and industry safety requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge and be trained to perform tree and bucket rescue.
• 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 be subject to call-out work.

Education, Certification & Experience Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred but not required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working on tree trimming or clearing crews or has successfully completed applicable skills assessments
• Current Certified Utility Arborist certification required
• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire

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.