Tree Climber

Mana Home Services; Kailua (HI); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Mana Home Services in Kailua, HI seeks a tree-climber assistant to support the lead climber with rigging, canopy access, and positioning. You will manage tools and equipment while aloft, helping with pruning cuts and pre-rigging tasks.

Ideal candidates have prior climbing experience, good balance and endurance for heights, and strong communication for aerial-to-ground coordination in varied weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic ground-worker qualifications (PPE knowledge, tool handling, safety awareness).
• Ability to follow instructions from the primary climber and crew leader.
• Good physical fitness, balance, and endurance for climbing and aerial positioning.
• Ability to work safely at heights and in variable weather conditions.
• Strong communication skills, especially for aerial-to-ground coordination.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead climber with rigging setup, positioning, and canopy access.
• Manage tools and equipment while aloft (handsaw, lanyard, climbing systems).
• Help execute pruning cuts, small removals, or pre-rigging tasks.
• Support ground crew by relaying communication or preparing drop zones.
• Maintain efficiency and situational awareness in the tree.

Skills

PPE knowledge

tool handling

safety awareness

instruction following

physical fitness

balance & endurance

communication

Tools

Harness

Ropes

Carabiners

Friction hitches

Climbing systems

Handsaw

Chainsaw

Job description

• Must meet all basic ground-worker qualifications (PPE knowledge, tool handling, safety
  awareness).
• Ability to follow instructions from the primary climber and crew leader.
• Good physical fitness, balance, and endurance for climbing and aerial positioning.
• Ability to work safely at heights and in variable weather conditions.
• Strong communication skills, especially for aerial-to-ground coordination.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in using climbing equipment (harness, ropes, carabiners, friction hitches,
  mechanical devices).
• Ability to move laterally and maintain stable work positioning in the canopy.
  Basic knot proficiency (e.g., figure-eight, bowline, clove hitch, Blake’s hitch).
  Basic saw handling skills (handsaw required; chainsaw aloft depending on certification).
• Knowledge of branch movement, loading, and limb-walking techniques.

Safety Requirements

• Understanding of job-site hazards (electrical, wildlife, dead wood, brittle trees).
• Proper use of PPE: helmet, eye/ear protection, chainsaw protection (if applicable),
  climbing gloves.
• Ability to identify and report unsafe conditions or equipment issues.

Operational Duties

• Assist the lead climber with rigging setup, positioning, and canopy access.
  Manage tools and equipment while aloft (handsaw, lanyard, climbing systems).
• Help execute pruning cuts, small removals, or pre-rigging tasks.
• Support ground crew by relaying communication or preparing drop zones.
• Maintain efficiency and situational awareness in the tree.

Experience / Certification

• Prior climbing experience (often 6–12 months minimum, depending on company
  standards).
• Basic arboriculture knowledge preferred (tree biology, pruning standards).