Tree Climber/ Foreman

Arbor Masters; Parkville (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plan

Dental Plan

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Arbor Masters is seeking a Tree Crew Leader/Climber to join our Parkville, Missouri team. You will perform pruning, removals, and complex rigging, while leading a two-person crew and coordinating with homeowners. This role blends hands-on climbing with leadership responsibilities.

We offer compensation in the top quartile, with a $70,000–$90,000 annual range and quarterly bonuses. A valid driver’s license and climbing experience are required; CDL is preferred but not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years climbing experience or 5 years foreman experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license; CDL class A/B preferred but not required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Advanced pruning & removal techniques; rigging knowledge; knots used in roping and technical rigging.
• Outdoor labor with varying weather conditions; lift over 50 lbs; operate at heights over 10 ft.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 2-person pruning crew and complete pruning & removal projects.
• Operate and maintain heavy and hand/power equipment (bucket/chainsaws/pruning saws).
• Perform job site setup, safety PPE use, and post-job walk-throughs with homeowners.
• Coordinate tools, supplies, and fuel; ensure equipment is inspected and fueled.

Skills

Tree pruning

Rigging

Team leadership

Equipment operation

Cabling & bracing

Knots & rigging basics

Tools

Bucket trucks

Claw trucks

Job description

Tree Crew Leader/ Climber

Earn between $70K and $90K per year, with the opportunity for quarterly bonuses!

Arbor Masters is committed to nurturing a culturally inclusive environment that hires, trains, and promotes regardless of race, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, veteran status, or any other protected class. We will always cultivate an environment that celebrates differences in our teams at all Arbor Masters branches. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce results in better decision-making, faster and more innovative problem solving, and creates a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Why work at Arbor Masters?

Arbor Masters is a third-generation, family-owned business, specializing in all areas of tree service and plant care. We love our industry, our work family, and making sure our customers are satisfied by approaching our work with high-level standards for safety and excellence. We are putting down new roots and expanding the family business. We are currently looking to add a Secondary Climbing Arborist to our team of experts. As a Secondary Climbing Arborist, you will participate in all aspects of tree work, including tree pruning and removals.

Your future at Arbor Masters:

When you join the Arbor Masters team, you are joining our work family. We want to see our work family continually grow and succeed. This is not just a job; it is a career path! We will equip you with all the experience and training necessary to grow and advance in the company. The opportunity is all yours and what you want to make of it!

As a Tree Climberyou would be responsible for:

• Operating heavy equipment, hand, and power equipment, such as bucket trucks, brush trucks, claw trucks, chippers, pole saws, pruning saws, pole pruners, power pole saws, and chainsaws.
• Repairing, sharpening, and maintaining equipment and tools
• Performing basic felling and rigging, along with aerial rigging over obstacles
• Leading a 2-personpruning crew while completing pruning & removal projects
• Ensuring all appropriate tools, supplies, and materials are loaded on truck, well maintained and accounted for, along with ensuring equipment is inspected and prepared with fuel and fluids
• Performing job briefing and assisting Crew Leader in work zone set-up and utilizing safety PPE
• Completing tree risk assessment and job site assessment, along with communicating with homeowners about services Arbor Masters offers, and performing pre- and post-job walk‑throughs
• Communicating verbally and visually with all members of the crew
• Assisting in debris cleanup at job completion

As a Tree Crew Leader, you would be responsible for:

• Motivating and guiding team in a positive manner and ensuring daily production goals are met
• Operating equipment including but not limited to hand saws, pole pruners, pole saws, pruning saws, chain saws, stump grinders, bucket trucks, claw trucks, chippers and aerial lifts
• Maintaining and repairing small tools and equipment such as blowers, chainsaws and chippers
• Ensuring all appropriate tools, supplies, and materials are loaded on truck, well maintained and accounted for, along with ensuring equipment is inspected, cleaned and prepared with fuel and fluids
• Reviewing work to be performed with customers, completing paperwork, conducting post-job customer walkthroughs, and collecting payments upon completion of work
• Conducting job briefings and assigning tasks to crew members, along with work zone set-up
• Communicating and reinforcing industry safety standards and company policies while utilizing safety PPE
• Supervising tree crew while performing tree pruning and removals and assisting in debris cleanup
• Performing supplemental support (cabling and bracing) techniques
• Completing OSHA and AMTL accident reports and incident reports when necessary

Requirements:

• Must be a team player with a positive attitude, able to advise, train and motivate team members
• Must have a valid driver’s license and possess a class C driver’s license
• CDL class A or class B License with airbrake endorsement is preferred, but not required
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Minimum of 3-5years climbing experience and/or 5years documented foreman experience
• Advanced knowledge of proper tree pruning and removal techniques, along with skilled cabling and bracing techniques, and knowledge of various knots used in roping and technical rigging
• Experience with technical rigging for use in trimming and large removals
• Ability to complete labor-intensive outdoor work with exposure to a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain, stand, walk, bend, crouch, reach, and lift in excess of 50lbs on a regular basis, along with the ability to work effectively at heights above 10 feet
• Experience operating bucket or claw trucks preferred

In addition to offering compensation in the top 25% of the market, our employee benefits package includes:

Benefits

• Medical Planeffective 60 days following start date
• Dental Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) (50% Company Match up to 4%/2%)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability (100% Company Paid)
• $25k AD&D Insurance (100% Company Paid)
• Employee Assistance Program (100% Company Paid)
• Six (6) Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement)
• Professional certification and registration renewals
• Professional development training

www.arbormasters.com