Experienced Tree Climber

The Professional Tree Care Company; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Medical/dental/vision insurance 50%

5 paid holidays

Paid sick leave

401(k) plan

Safety equipment provided

Training and advancement

Certification/license reimbursement

Job summary

The Professional Tree Care Company in Hayward, CA is seeking an experienced Tree Climber to join a skilled crew and lead the team on demanding arboreal projects.

You will work full-time year-round, starting at an hourly rate of $32–$36, with opportunities for growth, safety training, and access to company gear and a 401(k). Applicants must be able to work at height and travel across the Bay Area.

Qualifications

• Two years experience as a tree climber.
• Own climbing gear.
• Reliable transportation to Bay Area.
• Clean California Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Daily climbing to heights of 10–150 feet using SRT, DRT, and DdRT.
• Manage a Grounds-people and Climbers Apprentices team and verify timecards.
• Identify and perform tree inventories.
• Perform tree risk assessments.
• Install bracing, cabling, and lightning protection.
• Prune, thin, and remove dead wood in canopies.
• Remove dangerous trees and hazards.
• Lead the crew and ensure safety and efficiency.
• Ensure work sites are clean and hazard-free.

Skills

Tree climbing

Rope techniques

Crew leadership

Safety compliance

Job description

Introduction

• Do you have at least TWO YEARS of EXPERIENCE as a TREE CLIMBER?
• Do you own a climbing gear?
• Can you get to Hayward, CA by 6:15 a.m.?
• If so, please keep reading….

Compensation and Benefits

This Climberposition is a full-time, year-round opportunity with a starting hourly rate of between $32.00 and $36.00 or more depending on your relevant work experience, gear, fit to the role, and fit to our company culture.

• Full-time, year-round work at a stable company that’s 45 years old.
• Paid vacation (earned/accrued as you work/accumulate hours)
• 50% contribution toward medical, dental, and optical insurance for employees
• 5 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Access to a 401(k) account immediately
• Company-issued safety equipment, gear, and clothing
• Employee referral program
• Training and development resources, plus opportunities for advancement
• Tree industry certification and license reimbursement for those who qualify

About the opportunity

In this position, you’ll join a highly experienced team of certified professionals who are known for their ability to remove enormous trees using large cranes and equipment, and excellent customer service.

The person who fills this position must be an experienced professional tree Climber who seeks to lead her/his own crew. They will be comfortable working at heights most of the day, physically fit, and eager to demonstrate their knowledge to be promoted.

The right person for this job will be a natural leader; someone who enjoys directing and coaching their crew while also working safely and efficiently. She/he/they have enough Climbing knowledge to be able to lead her/his/their own team without much training. The person we hire will be the type who reports to work early to be on time; someone who takes pride in completing their projects on budget, and LOVES working in the trees.

About us

Since 1980, The Professional Tree Care Company has been trusted for tree services throughout Northern California. Based in Berkeley, CA, we service commercial, residential, and public works projects from Mendocino to Monterey, and from San Francisco to Sacramento.

What makes us unique? We recycle 100% of material removed from job sites at our own Green Waste Recycle Yard, custom mill logs, and create organic mulch - and (soon) electricity - from the wood chips. We also have the staff, equipment, resources, and experience to perform tree services at any scale.

Our company culture is often referred to as being family-like. We are optimistic, hardworking, and dedicated to arboricultural science. Most of our managers have been with us 10+ years; many over 20. We like to hire folks who seek a work home; people eager to work hard, learn, and make friends along the way.

Your Responsibilities Include

Safely performing all aspects of arboriculture, including:

• Daily climbing to heights of between 10-to-150 feet using a variety of climbing systems including a combination of SRT, DRT, and DdRT
• Managing a team of Grounds-people and Climbers Apprentices: Confirming their timecards are correct, letting them know what work needs to be done each day to complete the job on time/on budget
• Identifying and performing tree inventories
• Doing tree risk assessments
• Installing bracing, cabling, and lightning protection systems
• Working in the tree canopy to prune, thin, and remove dead wood
• Removing dangerous and/or hazardous trees
• Ensuring the health, safety and beauty of trees
• Providing routine tree maintenance, plus insect and disease management
• Performing emergency tree services: removing fallen trees from driveways, structures, etc.
• Learning, understanding, and adhering to all safety rules and company safety policies
• Ensuring all work sites are kept clean and free of hazards

General Duties will vary but include

• Serving as part of a multi-person crew that typically includes a Climber/Foreman and Ground Crew
• Hitting bid targets; the number of hours allotted to each job each day
• Properly operating and maintaining tools and equipment (hand tools, chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lifts) once trained
• Operating our trucks and equipment in a safe manner
• Overseeing the grinding of material, raking, blowing and collecting leaves; disposing of debris
• Participating and/or in routine safety meetings
• Assisting with developing processes to increase efficiency
• Understanding and carrying out verbal and written instructions

Requirements, Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• TWO YEARS experience as a TREE CLIMBER or production Arborists; a professional who works full-time to trim, clear, and remove trees
• Having reliable transportation to drive to job sites throughout the greater Bay Area.
• Clean and current California Driver's License (ABSOLUTELY CLEAN CA DL!)
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Physically fit, able to lift +/-50 pounds, and work comfortably at heights for much of the workday
• Proficiency with a roping system (Double or Single Rope Technique)
• A proven record of using chainsaws, harnesses, ropes, safely
• The standard stuff: Communication (accurate written, and verbal), time management, problem solving, being able to take notes on your phone, and being able to work an 8-hour shift without using your phone for non-work purposes (except at lunch, break or for an emergency)
• Soft skills: The ability to lead by example, being extremely hardworking, being emotionally intelligent (having the ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.)

Bonus points for

• Tree certifications or coursework related to tree trimming, maintenance, and/or arboriculture
• Having served in a supervisory position
• Having a Class-A driver's license in good standing
• Owning a wide variety of sturdy climbing gear
• Speaking Spanish or enough industry Spanish to lead a crew

Who Should Apply

• Experienced climbers seeking to move up in their industry.
• Climbers who are ready to move into office-based roles in the next 5 years to become Certified Arborists/Estimators, Sales Team Members, or Project Managers.
• Those who lead by example
• Folks who already hold tree-related certification and licenses such as ISA, TRAQ, CPR, First Aid, etc.
• Those within an easy commute to Hayward, CA
• Egalitarians

Work Environment

As our newest Climber, you’ll work full-time, year-round, Monday through Friday, on a variety of job sites throughout Northern California with an arrival time of 6:15 a.m. and a start time of 6:30 a.m.

Applicants must complete an online survey within three business days. Only folks who confirm they live within a 45-minute commute of our Hayward location will be considered. (NOTE: If you are moving to within this area please note it on your resume.)