Groundsperson

Lewis Services | 100% Employee-Owned; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 45,846,528 - 63,038,976; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Competitive pay

Paid training and industry certs

Health, dental, vision, HSA

Job summary

Lewis Tree Service is hiring for a groundperson involved in vegetation management and heavy outdoor work at various job sites in Harrisonburg, VA. You will prune trees, clear vegetation, and support climbers with equipment handling and safety procedures. The role requires physical fitness, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., and a valid license.

CDL is preferred. Certification in CPR/First Aid and herbicide application is provided or obtainable through Lewis.

Qualifications

• Groundperson certification (or ability to complete).
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions; physical ability to hike, lift up to 50 lbs., and handle tools.
• Valid driver’s license (CDL preferred).
• CPR/First Aid certification provided by Lewis.
• Herbicide applicator certification (or ability to complete and maintain).
• Team‑player attitude, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Clear vegetation and debris from work sites around power lines (tree pruning, vegetation removal, lifting logs, dragging brush, etc.).
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment like chainsaws, chippers, blowers, and sprayers.
• Assist climbers by spotting from the ground, handing up tools, and using hand lines.
• Assist with rigging and felling of trees.
• Safeguard colleagues and the public from hazards in and around the work area.
• Apply herbicides (with proper certification) to manage growth.
• Maintain clean, organized trucks and job sites.
• Set up traffic control zones and direct traffic when needed.
• Travel frequently (including overnight stays) to different job sites.
• Participate in safety briefings and follow all company safety protocols.

Skills

Groundperson certification

CDL preferred

Outdoor work readiness

Job description

Company Overview

At Lewis, we’re not just trimming trees — we’re building a future. As the second‑largest utility vegetation management company in North America and a proud employee‑owned business, we believe every person on our team matters. When you join Lewis, you’re investing not just in a job but in your future.

What You’ll Love Here

• Experience the great outdoors while working in nature.
• Evolve your career with us — we prioritize training and internal promotions.
• Join a vibrant team that champions safety, values your feedback, and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie.
• Shape your future with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Responsibilities

• Clear vegetation and debris from work sites around power lines (tree pruning, vegetation removal, lifting logs, dragging brush, etc.).
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment like chainsaws, chippers, blowers, and sprayers.
• Assist climbers by spotting from the ground, handing up tools, and using hand lines.
• Assist with rigging and felling of trees.
• Safeguard colleagues and the public from hazards in and around the work area.
• Apply herbicides (with proper certification) to manage growth.
• Maintain clean, organized trucks and job sites.
• Set up traffic control zones and direct traffic when needed.
• Travel frequently (including overnight stays) to different job sites.
• Participate in safety briefings and follow all company safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Groundperson certification (or ability to complete).
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions; physical ability to hike, lift up to 50 lbs., and handle tools.
• Valid driver’s license (CDL preferred).
• CPR/First Aid certification (provided by Lewis).
• Herbicide applicator certification (or ability to complete and maintain).
• Team‑player attitude, adaptability, and a strong work ethic.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.

Physical Demands

• Lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height or higher.
• Push or pull up to 50 lbs.
• Walk or hike up to one mile on uneven terrain.
• Endure extreme climate variances.
• Hear, speak, see, and communicate effectively.
• Operate two‑handed tools and equipment.

Tasks: Continuously standing, walking, grasping, repetitive movements. Frequently lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, stooping/kneeling, reaching. Occasionally driving, climbing stairs/ladders. Rarely sitting, operating. Never tree ascending/descending. Comments: Expect variability in size, proportions, conditions, and weight of supplies and equipment.

Environmental Conditions

Continuously: Outdoor work. Occasionally: Noise levels. Frequently: Extreme temperatures. Rarely: Contact with hazardous materials or air quality issues. Never: Confined spaces. Comments: Expect variability based on regional weather patterns. Personal protective equipment is required pursuant to OSHA and ANSI.

Tools & Equipment

• Aerial lift trucks, dump trucks, ATVs
• Chainsaws, pole saws, handsaws, chippers
• Blowers, pruners, pole pruners, rakes, winches, ropes
• Climbing gear: harness, chaps, spikes
• Sprayers, herbicide applicators, fuel, cones, signs
• Tablets and communication devices

What We Offer

• Competitive pay
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Paid training and industry certifications
• Health, dental, vision, and HSA options
• 401(k), paid time off, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

People Promise

Lewis Tree Service is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity for both applicants and employees. Lewis Tree Service prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment of employees and applicants based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age (40+), religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic, all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, apprenticeship, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay‑off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment are administered under applicable federal, state, and local laws.