CREW LEAD

Alpine Tree Service; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k) with 3% company match

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Alpine Tree Service, a New Jersey-based tree care company, seeks a Crew Lead to manage job sites, ensure safety, and deliver top-tier client experiences. You will lead crews, make field calls, and own outcomes from site arrival to truck departure.

This leadership role emphasizes setting the standard, coordinating with climbers and ground crew, and maintaining quality and safety across residential and commercial jobs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years tree care industry experience.
• Prior crew leadership or lead climber experience.
• Valid and insurable driver's license.
• Strong communication with field, client, and office.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to execute and document work orders via mobile systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily crew operations on residential and commercial sites.
• Execute and oversee tree removals, pruning, and rigging per ANSI Z133 standards.
• Coordinate with climbers, operators, and ground crew to keep production moving.
• Communicate with clients on-site to set expectations and manage changes.
• Train and mentor newer crew members.
• Inspect equipment and ensure crew readiness.
• Document job completion and materials used on mobile systems.
• Communicate scope changes, site issues, or schedule shifts to office and Sales Arborists.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

English proficiency

Safety leadership

Work authorization

Mobile work orders

Physical ability

Job description

Crew Lead

Who We Are
Alpine Tree Service is a high-growth, full-service tree care company serving residential and commercial clients across New Jersey. We operate with a focus on safety, professionalism, and execution — following ANSI standards and delivering a premium customer experience. We are building a team of professionals, not just workers.

The Role

The Crew Lead runs the job site. You are responsible for crew safety, job execution, client experience, and production from the moment you arrive on property to the moment the trucks leave clean.

This is a leadership role — you set the standard for the crew, make the calls in the field, and own the outcome of every job you run.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily crew operations on residential and commercial job sites
• Execute and oversee tree removals, pruning, and rigging in line with ANSI Z133 standards
• Coordinate with climbers, operators, and ground crew to keep production moving
• Communicate directly with clients on-site — set expectations, address questions, manage change orders
• Conduct site safety assessments and lead pre-job briefings
• Inspect equipment and ensure crew is prepared for each job
• Document job completion, materials used, and any client communication via mobile systems
• Communicate up to office and Sales Arborists on scope changes, site issues, or schedule shifts
• Train and mentor newer crew members
• Maintain job site organization and ensure clean, professional execution from start to finish

How We Operate

• Actively Seek Knowledge: You stay sharp on rigging techniques, equipment changes, and safety standards. You're the technical reference on your crew — if you stop learning, the crew stops growing.
• Think Ahead to Solve Problems: You read the job before the chainsaws come out. You spot the hazards, anticipate the rigging, and plan the sequence. Crews led by people who think ahead finish on time.
• Be Adaptable: Every property is different. Weather changes, scope changes, equipment breaks. You adjust the plan and keep the crew moving without compromising on safety or quality.
• Loyalty to the Team: You have your crew's back — and you hold them accountable. You communicate clearly with the office, the sales team, and the client. You don't leave your people exposed, and you don't tolerate shortcuts that put anyone at risk.
• Have the Motivation to Be the Best: You take ownership of every job. The work that leaves your site reflects on you. Crew Leads at Alpine are the ones who consistently raise the bar, not the ones who coast on tenure.

Qualifications

This role is for experienced tree care professionals ready to lead. We’re looking for someone with:

• 5+ years tree care industry experience
• Prior crew leadership or lead climber experience required
• Valid and insurable driver's license
• Strong communication skills — field, client-facing, and office
• Ability to execute and document work orders via mobile systems
• Demonstrated safety leadership (ANSI Z133 standards)
• Physical ability to work in a demanding outdoor environment
• English proficiency
• Authorized to work in the United States

Preferred

• ISA Arborist Certification
• Crane experience
• CDL

Why Alpine

We're growing — and we're looking for people who want to grow with us. That means real training, real equipment, and a real career path in one of New Jersey's top tree care companies.

• Real Training, High-Tech Equipment: ISA Certified Arborists on staff, ANSI Z133 standards on every job, and the best gear in the industry — including the Tree-MEK, one of the most capable cranes in the region.
• Clear Advancement: Ground crew become climbers. Climbers become operators. Operators become crew leads. We promote from within whenever we can, and we pay for the certifications that get you there.
• Team-First Culture: No passengers, no ego. We hire people who want to be part of something — not people clocking in.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay

• Starting at $40/hour, based on experience and performance

Every Full-time Alpine Employee Gets:

Health & Wellness

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance

Time Off

• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick time (in line with NJ policy)

Financial

• Competitive pay based on performance, not just tenure
• 401(k) with 3% company match

Growth & Development

• On-the-job training from day one
• Ongoing professional development
• Company-paid certifications — ISA Arborist and Pesticide Applicator licenses where applicable
• Clear advancement path with internal promotion priority

Equipment & Tools

• Industry-leading equipment, including the Tree-MEK crane
• Full safety equipment provided
• Company phone

Relocation

Relocation assistance available for the right candidates

Who This Role Is For

• Takes ownership of crew safety and job execution
• Can make calls in the field without waiting for permission
• Holds their crew to a high standard without burning them out
• Wants to grow toward operations management or department lead long-term

This May Not Be The Right Fit If You

• Prefer to focus on your own work rather than lead others
• Don't enjoy the documentation and communication side of the job
• Aren't ready to take responsibility for a crew's performance