Operations Leadership Trainee

Lewis Services | 100% Employee-Owned; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

ESOP

Paid training and industry certs

Health, dental, vision & HSA

401(k)

Paid time off

EAP

Job summary

Lewis Tree Service invites you to join an Operations Leadership Trainee program designed to develop frontline leaders in field vegetation management. You’ll rotate through Crew Leader, General Foreperson, and Supervisor tracks while learning safety, production, and customer partnerships.

This development-focused role emphasizes leadership potential, hands-on field exposure, and opportunities to earn industry certifications, with competitive pay and benefits including ESOP, paid training,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership potential across contexts (military, school, work, athletics, community involvement).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, learn and relate to others.
• Safety-minded with good judgment and proactive in safety practices.
• Organized and able to handle multiple priorities in outdoor field settings.
• Willingness to learn from hands-on field experience and pursue industry certifications as development progresses.

Responsibilities

• Learn Lewis field operations by working with experienced leaders and field teams.
• Support safe, efficient vegetation management operations and high-quality execution.
• Participate in work planning, observations, safety activities and reviews.
• Coach and support employees, communicate expectations and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Learn how operational leaders manage production, customers, equipment, and business results.
• Partner with Safety, Training, HR and Talent Acquisition for development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Safety minded

Outdoor work

Dependable

Education

High school diploma or GED

College education welcomed

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Join a Company That Grows People

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 not just taking a job — you're investing in your future.

Join a Company That Grows People

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 not just taking a job — you're investing in your future.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Experience the great outdoors while working in nature, not stuck behind a desk!
• Elevate 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 us through our fantastic Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP!)

Responsibilities

The Operations Leadership Trainee opportunity is designed to build a pipeline of talent for future Operations leadership needs at Lewis. The program provides individuals with strong leadership potential a structured path to learn the utility vegetation management business while developing the operational and leadership capabilities needed for future field leadership opportunities.

Participants gain progressive exposure to three levels of operational leadership: Crew Leader, General Foreperson, and Supervisor. Through these experiences, participants build skills across field operations, people leadership, safety, production, customer partnership, and business operations.

This is a development-focused opportunity designed to support Lewis' future Operations leadership needs. Candidates are not expected to enter the program possessing every technical qualification associated with each rotational role. The goal is to develop high-potential talent who can grow into increased operational leadership responsibility as future business needs arise.

What You’ll Learn & Experience

• Field operations and the fundamentals of utility vegetation management, including how crews plan and safely execute work.
• Front-line leadership, including coaching, onboarding, performance feedback, team development and employee relations.
• Safety leadership, jobsite risk recognition, work planning and adherence to Lewis and customer requirements.
• Production and operational management, including work quality, productivity, crew utilization, equipment and cost awareness.
• Customer and stakeholder partnership with utility representatives, property owners, contractors and community partners.
• Business operations, including documentation, reporting, timekeeping, billing support, contract requirements and coordination with corporate teams.
• Leadership succession and talent development, including identifying and developing high-potential employees.
• Supervisor-level operational accountability, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, business development exposure and territory leadership.

Leadership Development Path

The Operations Leadership Trainee program provides progressive exposure to three levels of field leadership:

Phase I – Crew Leader: Learn front-line crew leadership, safe work execution, field training, work planning and day-to-day production.

Phase II – General Foreperson: Develop multi-crew leadership, production oversight, customer coordination, safety leadership, employee development and operational administration.

Phase III – Supervisor: Build broader operational leadership capability, including General Foreperson oversight, customer and contract accountability, business management, talent planning and territory support.

What You’ll Do

• Learn Lewis field operations by working alongside experienced operational leaders and field teams.
• Support safe, efficient and high-quality vegetation management operations.
• Participate in work planning, crew and jobsite observations, safety activities and operational reviews.
• Build the skills to coach and support employees, communicate expectations and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Learn how operational leaders manage production, customers, equipment, documentation and business results.
• Partner with Operations and corporate functions such as Safety, Training, Human Resources and Talent Acquisition.
• Participate in internal and external training that supports technical, operational, business and leadership development.
• Travel as needed for field exposure, storm response and leadership development.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Demonstrated leadership potential and a genuine interest in developing a career in field Operations.
• Leadership experience from the military, school, work, athletics, community involvement or other relevant settings is valued.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, learn, ask questions and build relationships.
• Self-motivated, adaptable and willing to learn from hands-on field experience.
• Safety-minded with sound judgment and a willingness to speak up.
• Organized, forward-thinking and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Comfort working in outdoor environments and around field operations.
• Valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate a vehicle on behalf of the Company.
• High school diploma or GED required; college education, military leadership experience, forestry/arboriculture education or related experience is welcomed.
• Ability and willingness to obtain relevant industry certifications as development progresses.

Non-Union Benefits

What We Offer

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

Work Environment & Travel

This role combines field-based learning with operational and business-management exposure. Participants should expect outdoor work in varying weather and terrain, visits to active jobsites, and travel that may include overnight or extended stays for operational exposure, storm response and leadership development. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in accordance with Lewis, customer, OSHA and ANSI requirements.

Physical Demands

Ability To

• Sit, stand, walk, reach, and perform repetitive keystrokes regularly
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and lift/move up to 25 lbs.
• Walk on uneven terrain and work in both indoor and outdoor environments
• Tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures and moderate to loud noise levels

• Continuously – Sitting, communicating, using computers
• Frequently – Driving, walking outdoors
• Occasionally – Climbing, lifting, kneeling
• Rarely – Exposure to hazardous materials
• Never – Confined spaces

Environmental Conditions

• Frequently – Outdoor work
• Occasionally – Noise levels, temperature extremes
• Rarely – Hazardous materials, air quality issues
• Never – Confined spaces

Comments: Conditions vary by region. PPE required per OSHA and ANSI standards.

Tools & Equipment

Equipment May Include

• Computers, phones, scanners, copiers
• Tablets and communication devices
• Vehicles for travel
• Standard office equipment

People Promise

Our People Promise

Our commitment to Our People is key to the success of our business. We respect the differences between us, and we leverage those differences to create an environment where all employees feel welcome and fairly treated. We seek the best solutions possible by attracting and engaging a diverse workforce where all perspectives are sought out and valued.

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. Lewis Tree Service’s practices and policies are administered under applicable federal, state, and local laws.