Line Clearance Tree Trimmer – Seeley Lake, MT

Job Description

Missoula Electric is looking for for a Tree Trimmer to join their Seeley Lake crew.

SUMMARY: Trim trees to clear right-of-way for electric power lines, to minimize storm and short-circuit hazards. Performs all work in a dependable, confidential, and professional manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other duties, as assigned by management, applying the same skill and enthusiasm as with regularly assigned responsibilities. All duties are to be performed as instructed in training and following written procedures or policies, if applicable unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

• Represents the Cooperative, and communicates with property owners and the general public, in a professional, friendly, courteous, and helpful manner, answering their questions and/or concerns.
• Climbs trees to remove branches interfering with wires and transmission towers.
• Removes broken limbs from non-energized power line wires and prune treetops.
• Fell trees interfering with power service.
• Loads and hauls trees and branches and runs chipper to dispose of tree limbs and branches. Responsible for leaving property in a clean state, after work has been completed.
• Works from the bucket of extended truck boom, to reach tree limbs.
• Practices barricading on public highways and public right-of-way, to include the proper use of warning signs, devices, and flagging procedures.
• Drives company vehicles and operates other equipment safely.
• Maintains and properly uses trucks, equipment, and tools assigned to him/her, to ensure all are in proper working order at all times. Performs daily inspection on trucks and equipment, completing inspection forms, as required.
• Maintains ongoing, effective communication with the direct supervisor, regarding the specifics of each assignment, problems that may occur, and questions that may arise. Immediately reports known hazards, affecting the crew or public, that exist on lines, stations, etc. Makes suggestions, as needed.
• Become familiar with, and keep current with, MEC objectives and applicable policies. Adheres to all applicable policies outlined in the MEC Safety Manual.
• Attends and participates in all required Safety Meetings.
• This position is subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, and other Drug and Alcohol testing, according to the Drug and Alcohol Policy.
  • Reads, recognizes and follows safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Traditionally, this position has no supervisory responsibilities. However, when a Line Clearance Tree Trimmer is functioning as the Lead Tree Trimmer, the employee assumes lead-worker responsibilities

that may include but are not limited to relaying work assignments to others, interpreting, implementing, and monitoring work plans and procedures, reviewing the work of others for compliance and specifications, resolving non-routine questions and situations that may arise, assuming overall responsibility for the safe keeping of tools and materials, ensures that the crew conducts all work according to specifications and accepted safety rules, regulations, and practices.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High School graduation or equivalency. Mechanical aptitude, training, or experience preferred.
• Required: Minimum of one year experience in felling, climbing, and trimming trees, and clearing right-of-ways. One-year electric line clearance experience preferred.
• Required: Experience in the use and maintenance of brush chippers and chain saws; experience using proper rigging practices and tree climbing.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents, such as system mapping, staking sheets, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Basic computer skills including, but not limited to, mapping programs, timesheet programs, and e-mail communication.
• Ability and willingness to perform all of the duties for all of the positions in his/her crew, according to the job description, to meet the requirements and deadlines of the work being performed.
• Ability to organize work to meet deadlines, and work independently under pressure.
• Ability to be thoroughly familiar with system routes and geography.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to deal with people in a professional and courteous manner, even in conflict situations.
• Ability to perform as a productive team, promoting a safe and positive work environment. Accepts suggestions from supervisor and co-workers to improve performance.
• Ability to drive and work in extreme weather conditions.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Work is performed outdoors, in weather conditions that vary from sub-zero cold, to heat above 90 degrees, in wet and dry conditions, and in terrain from flat-urban to extreme mountainous, rural areas.
• Work is heavy and requires exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Lifting and carrying of 10-to-50 pounds frequently is required.
• Reaching and lifting overhead is frequent.
• Job requires standing, crawling, climbing, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, and reaching.
• Performs work on trees of varying heights, such as felling, trimming, and removal of limbs.
• May spend long periods driving and/or riding in line construction vehicles to reach remote areas in our service territory.
• Employee performs hazardous duties around energized and de-energized electrical lines and equipment and moving mechanical parts.
• Work may be performed in confined spaces.
• Some exposure to odors, gases, dust, and dirt, toxic or caustic chemicals may occur.
• The noise level in the work environment may range from moderate to loud.
• Employees shall be required to follow site safety procedures for work tasks and are required to wear appropriate PPE, including Fire Retardant and ARC flash-rated clothing, as necessary.
• Requires the ability to perform pole-top rescue, CPR, and basic first aid.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employee must live within (30) minutes of the Cooperative and is expected to work extended and/or irregular hours as assigned.
• Rate of Pay: See IBEW Local Union 44 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Wage and Hour: This position is an hourly non-exempt position under the Wage and Hour Law, and overtime compensation must be paid.

Job Related Qualifications

• ISA Certified Arborist preferred.
• Required to hold, or be able to obtain, within 45 consecutive days of hire, a valid Montana Class A, Interstate Commercial Driver's License.
• First Aid and CPR certificate required or be able to be obtained within one year.
• Must be a certified flagger or be able to obtain certification within one year.
• Employer will assist with all training and certifications.