Tree Trimmer (Top Climber)

Wright Tree Service of the West; California (MO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Wright Tree Service of the West is seeking an Advanced Tree Trimmer to prune and remove trees and limbs near power lines, using climbing gear, bucket lifts and rigging. The role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and professionalism in all operations, with a focus on healthy, well-maintained vegetation around critical infrastructure.

The position is Non-Exempt, paying an hourly wage of $45.37–$45.50 and requires at least 1 year of related experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working on tree trimming or clearing crews.
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Loads vehicles and equipment with limbs and logs.
• Trims, removes and/or fells trees using climbing gear and tools.
• Operates ground tools such as saws and pruners.
• Works aloft with rope, rigging lines and bucket access to lower branches.
• Follows safety procedures and OSHA regulations on site.

Skills

Tree trimming knowledge

Safety conscious

English proficiency

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Lifting equipment

Rigging lines

PPE usage

Job description

Job Details

Hourly Wage: $45.37 - $45.50

Job Title: Advanced Tree Trimmer

Pay Rate Type: Non-Exempt

Creation/Revision Date: 04/24/2026

Job Summary: The Advanced Tree Trimmer role is a qualified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer responsible for pruning and removing trees, limbs and shrubs away from power lines to reduce vegetation interference. This role utilizes various types of equipment, tools, and techniques to perform advanced tree care while addressing growth patterns and ensuring tree health, and appearance.

Essential Job Duties

• Loads vehicles and equipment with manageable size limbs and logs not suited for wood chipping.
• Trims, removes and/or fells trees using climbing equipment, such as a powered trimmer lift truck, safety belt, climbing line, and ladder.
• Also works on the ground using hand saws, ground saws, pruners or other applicable tools.
• Works aloft to cut branches or trunk sections and drop or lower them to the ground with rigging lines.
• Uses appropriate tools on the ground to fell trees or spars and split them into manageable pieces.
• Works around hazardous equipment and may work in close proximity to energized power lines while providing direct supervision of the activities of non-qualified employees working in close proximity to energized conductors.
• Applies herbicide with growth regulators to brush and stumps.
• Maintains appropriate application records.
• Adheres to and helps educate less experienced employees on company policies, procedures, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods and OSHA regulations.
• Repairs minor damage to property that occur on the job site.
• Escalates situations to General Foreperson’s when necessary and in a timely manner.
• Feeds brush and debris into woodchipper.
• Sets up warning signs, barriers, flags, relays hand-signals, directs traffic and other applicable traffic control devices to protect employees and members of the public from hazards in and around the work area.
• Cooperates with property owner, customer, and emergency personnel when blocking streets or driveways.
• Conducts vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure proper working conditions.
• Conducts routine maintenance on company vehicles, equipment and tools.
• Reports specialized vehicle maintenance or equipment needs to General Foreperson.
• During emergencies or natural disasters may be required to be on duty for the duration of the disaster.
• Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright’s culture of safety and employee ownership.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintain knowledge of and follow all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

Other Duties

• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment as assigned.
• May assist with obtaining written permission from property owners.
• Helps promote and maintain good customer and public relations as well as with employees.

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements

• Knowledge of trees, including identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques specific to trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing, in close proximity to energized conductors.
• Strong customer service and communication skills focused on rapport-building, listening, questioning and patience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, customers and employees.
• Knowledge and understanding of the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations (ANSI Z133.1-current version) and American National Standards for Proper Pruning (ANSI A300).
• Ability to adhere and coach employees on company and industry safety requirements.
• Knowledge of electrical circuits and skilled in reading and understanding of circuit maps.
• Knowledge of OSHA electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards, including 29 CFR 1910.269.
• Ability to determine nominal voltage, proper use of insulated tools near energized parts and distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment.
• Ability to learn quickly and to follow instructions accurately.
• Must be able to communicate with others and represent Wright Tree Service in a professional manner.
• Must be able to comprehend and/or read and write both written and verbal job instructions and safety information.
• Ability to recognize poisonous plants and take proper safeguard against them.
• Must be able to wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Ability to work long hours and overtime during emergencies (including holidays, weekends, storm work) and will be subject to call-out work.
• Demonstrate knowledge and trained to perform tree and bucket rescue.
• Ability to operate and service all required tools and equipment.
• Ability to work both independently and in a group.

Education, Certification & Experience Requirements

• Has a minimum of 1 year of experience working on tree trimming or clearing crews or has successfully completed applicable skills assessments.
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

Other Preferred Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s or commercial driver’s license (dependent upon Division and utility/contract requirements) and DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.
• Drive a vehicle with an attached chipper or other trailing unit to, from or within the work area.
• Maintain herbicide application certification or equivalent as required by Wright Tree Service and local, state, and federal law.
• Keeps informed of new equipment and specifications, standards, practices, and operating procedures.

Language Requirements (read, write, speak)

• English – Read, Write, Speak
• Spanish – Read, Write, Speak
• Other Language – Read, Write, Speak

Travel Requirements

• No-Seldom
• Yes-Occasional (up to 5%)
• Yes-Moderate (5% to 25%)
• Yes-Substantial (25% to 50%)
• Yes-Extensive (greater than 50%)

Physical Characteristics

• Effective bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Occasionally reach upward and downward.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Possesses the ability to lift, move, and maneuver up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis and up to 30 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Must be able to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned or make general observations of the community; close visual acuity, such as reading a computer screen, reading printed material, inspection of small defects, and using measurement devices.
• Ability to enter and exit vehicles and equipment numerous times per day.

Environmental Factors

• Routine exposure to indoor and outdoor working conditions.
• Routine exposure to weather, climate and temperature, such as rain, heat, sun, cold, snow.
• Routine exposure to nature, such as irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, dust, etc; position works outdoor on rugged terrain.
• Routine exposure to noise, vibration, working hazards such as proximity to moving parts, mechanical equipment, moving vehicles, gasoline powered equipment, electrical current, heights, exposure to heat, exposure to chemicals, work in close quarters, narrow aisles or passageways, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, cleaning chemicals, dust, odors, and a variety of pests.

COMPANY STATEMENTS (U.S. Only)

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunities: Wright Service Corp. respects diversity, and we are an inclusive and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical and mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation. We are dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Reasonable Accommodation: Wright Service Corp. is committed to complying with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, or regulations governing reasonable accommodations to individuals, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To that end, as required by applicable law, we will make a reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees who have requested an accommodation or for whom we have notice may require such an accommodation, without regard to any protected classifications, related to an individual’s: (i) disability, meaning any physical, medical, mental, or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment; (ii) sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; (iii) needs related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; and/or (iv) any other reason required by applicable law, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.

At-Will Employment: Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, rule, or regulation, employment with Wright Service Corp. is “at will.” This means that an employee’s employment may be terminated at any time by either the employee or Wright Service Corp., for any or no reason, with or without cause or advance notice. No supervisor or Wright Service Corp. personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer’s designee has any authority to enter into a contract of employment, oral, written or otherwise, express or implied, that changes or alters the at-will employment relationship.

Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace: To help ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for our employees and others, protect Wright Service Corp. property, and ensure efficient operations, the Wright Service Corp. has adopted a policy of maintaining a workplace free of unlawful or unauthorized drugs and alcohol.

DECLARACIONES DE LA EMPRESA (solo EE. UU.)

Esta descripción del puesto no está diseñada para abarcar ni contener una lista exhaustiva de todas las actividades, tareas o responsabilidades requeridas del empleado. Las funciones, responsabilidades y actividades pueden modificarse en cualquier momento, con o sin previo aviso.

Igualdad de oportunidades de empleo: Wright Service Corp. respeta la diversidad y es un empleador inclusivo y con igualdad de oportunidades que no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, credo, religión, nacionalidad, ascendencia, ciudadanía, edad, sexo o género (incluidos embarazo, parto, condiciones médicas relacionadas y lactancia), identidad o expresión de género (incluido el estado de persona transgénero), orientación sexual, estado civil, servicio militar o condición de veterano, discapacidad física o mental, condición médica protegida, información genética o cualquier otra característica protegida por la legislación, norma o reglamento federal, estatal o local aplicable.

Adaptaciones razonables: Wright Service Corp. cumple con las leyes, normas y reglamentos federales, estatales y locales aplicables sobre adaptaciones razonables para personas, incluida Americans with Disabilities Act (la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades - ADA). En consecuencia, según lo exija la ley, ofreceremos adaptaciones razonables a los solicitantes y empleados que las soliciten o para quienes tengamos conocimiento de que las necesitan, independientemente de cualquier clasificación protegida, relacionadas con: (i) una discapacidad, entendida como una deficiencia física, médica, mental o psicológica, o el historial o registro de dicha deficiencia; (ii) creencias y prácticas religiosas sinceramente sostenidas; (iii) necesidades relacionadas con el embarazo, el parto o condiciones médicas asociadas; o (iv) cualquier otro motivo exigido por la ley aplicable, salvo que la adaptación suponga una carga indebida.

Empleo a voluntad: No se menciona más en el texto original, pero se incluye el contenido correspondiente al empleador en la sección anterior.

https://www.wrighttree.com/privacy-policy/ At Wright Tree Service, we recognize that our employees are the foundation of a successful business. We are committed to providing our employees with the training and resources needed to elevate their position into a successful career. We provide opportunities to earn certifications, leadership programs and customized trainings. Safety is our #1 value – this culture is guided by our Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper pledge to keep both ourselves and others safe.