Trimmer A (Duke)

Pike Engineering; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Burford’s Construction seeks a Trimmer A, a skilled climber experienced in pruning and removal with safety‑first focus. The role involves rigging, bucket operation as needed, and storm restoration work in diverse locations across the service area.

You will work in vegetation management, maintain tools and PPE, and mentor less experienced crew members while adhering to safety rules and company policy.

Qualifications

• 3+ years relevant experience required.
• Able to read and communicate effectively in English.
• Bilingual (Spanish / English) a plus.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Commercial Driver’s License preferred.
• Ability to travel long distances on short notice.
• Able to work extended periods in various locations.
• Able to lift in excess of 50 lbs.
• Willing to work overtime when requested.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety is a top priority and promote a safety‑conscious work environment.
• Demonstrate trustworthiness and responsibility in all tasks.
• Understand proper pruning techniques, including natural and directional pruning.
• Possess requirements for lower climber classifications.
• Demonstrate climbing trees near energized lines and perform maintenance tasks.
• Safely remove overhangs with assistance and prune around live conductors.
• Possess knowledge and expertise in climbing trees around energized conductors and rope sections near lines.
• Assist in on‑the‑job training of less experienced climbers and bucket operators.
• Handle equipment used in tree care operations, including bucket trucks, chainsaws, and chippers.
• Join storm restoration efforts as needed.

Job description

The Trimmer A is a top performing climber or trimmer who has demonstrated exceptional performance in lower-level positions, exhibiting their ability to execute climbing techniques and rigging involved in pruning and removal tasks with precision and safety. Proficiency in operating aerial lifts is desirable but not required.

Essential Functions:

• Ensuring safety is a top priority, maintaining a strong awareness of safety protocols and promoting a safety-conscious work environment.
• Demonstrating trustworthiness and responsibility in all job-related activities.
• Possessing a comprehensive understanding of proper pruning techniques, including natural and directional pruning which can be utilized during emergency restorations.
• Possess all the requirements for the lower climber classifications.
• Demonstrate expertise in climbing trees near energized lines and performing various maintenance tasks, except for the most difficult ones.
• Safely removing overhangs with suitable assistance and conducting routine pruning around open wire secondary and primary electrical conductors.
• Possessing comprehensive knowledge and expertise in climbing trees around energized conductors, proficiently removing trees, pruning limbs, and roping tree sections around these lines. If utilizing a bucket, you will effectively accomplish these tasks using the equipment.
• Assisting in the on-the-job training of less experienced climbers and bucket operators, sharing your knowledge and expertise to support their growth.
• Demonstrating an excellent working knowledge of the equipment used in tree care operations, including bucket trucks, chainsaws, bucket operation, and chippers.
• Exhibiting good judgment and making sound logical decisions in day-to-day work.
• Readily join storm restoration efforts in times of need.

Minimum Requirements:

• 3+ years relevant experience required.
• Able to read and communicate effectively in English.
• Bilingual (Spanish / English) a plus.
• Valid driver’s license.
• A Commercial Driver’s License is strongly preferred.
• Have a good work ethic.
• Able to travel long distances on short notice, when required.
• Able to work for extended periods in various locations, when required.
• Able to lift in excess of 50 lbs.
• Willing to work over-time when requested.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• Properly inspect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Understand when to wear personal protective equipment.
• Maintain company vehicles, equipment, and tools in good working order.
• Able to perform rigorous physical labor.
• Understand proper use of company radio.
• Understand the proper use and maintenance of hand tools.
• Capable of receiving and following directions.
• Capable of working at heights and/or confined spaces.
• Must be able to work outside, frequently in inclement weather.
• Does all other related work as required to complete the job.
• Able to read/write and communicate effectively.
• Dutifully follows established Safety Rules and Company Policy.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are typical of those that must be met by a team-member to successfully perform the essential functions of their job in vegetation management.

While performing the duties of this job, team-members are regularly required to talk or hear. The team-member is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, and feel; and reach with hands and arms.

The team-member is frequently required to perform rigorous physical labor; sit; standing for extended periods of time; or balance; and stoop, kneel crouch or crawl. Team-members frequently lift or move up to or in-excess of 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, team-members may frequently be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Team-members are occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions at construction job sites. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

Vegetation clearing work is performed outside and is subject to diverse weather conditions.

Competencies:

• Team-Oriented
• Self-Motivated
• Customer Service Focused
• Ethical and Honest
• Responsible
• Trustworthy
• Ethical
• Honest
• Punctual
• Excellent communication skills

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled

Burford’s Construction is a Non-Union Company
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as requested to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Burford’s Construction is a leading provider of services in the electric utility industry throughout the southeastern, midwestern, and western United States. With a great team of qualified professionals, Burford’s Construction can serve all project needs.

Those services include:

• Vegetation Maintenance
• New ROW Clearing
• ROW Reclamation/Widening
• Erosion Control
• Access Matting
• Civil/Site Grading AND Many More!

We offer these services as turnkey support to customers across our service territory in Transmission, Distribution, and Generation. It is our belief that our work entails a true partnership with our clients to consistently exceed expectations. Our company culture and core values of safety for all, environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and productivity are integral in every partnership.