Ground Operations Specialist – Fort Worth

We are Blue Ox Urban Forestry, a highly-rated small business based out of Fort Worth, Texas. Check out our reviews on Yelp and Google and you’ll see that we do things a little differently. Our mission is to preserve our urban forest and promote a community-wide passion for arboriculture by taking a three-step approach: prioritize science-based methodologies in all services; invest in the growth and happiness of our employees; and build lasting and meaningful relationships with clients through hands-on participation.

While Blue Ox is ready to grow at a rapid pace, we will never lose sight of our mission. We focus every day on maintaining the family-like community we have created with our employees and clients alike, where everyone is treated with equal value and mutual respect. We are always on the hunt for individuals who share these values, and who are excited to put in some hard work and take advantage of the unique benefits that come with working for a locally-owned small business.

ABOUT THE PERKS

In addition to hourly pay and bonuses, Blue Ox is always willing to pay for tree-care-related education. Any classes, conferences, certifications or literature that our employees think will benefit their arboricultural career can be approved and funded by the company. We also have some company traditions that are financially beneficial, and we’re always adding more. We are passionate about creating a company culture that embodies our Core Values:

  • Treat our environment and community with respect • Bring passion and positivity to every day • Deliver quality without sacrificing safety • Empower ourselves and others through learning • Don’t forget to play

Some of our traditions include our annual company retreat (all expenses paid), Kicks for Commitment (hand-select your own brand-new, high-quality, totally-free pair of work boots on your one-year anniversary with Blue Ox), and PPE Pop Quiz Payouts (earn some quick cash for acing a monthly pop quiz all about safety).

ABOUT THE POSITION

Ground Operations Specialist

Status: Non-exempt, $12-17/hour

Direct report: Crew Leader

Requirements:

✓ 0-2 years experience on a tree crew

✓ Valid driver’s license a plus

✓ Pass standard vision and hearing tests ✓ Maintain attention and concentration for extended periods of time ✓ Wear all necessary PPE any time it is required ✓ Enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day ✓ Withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e. rain, heat, sun, cold ✓ Be able to traverse various terrains ✓ Be able to write, read and comprehend written and verbal job instructions/information.

✓ Be able to communicate with others

✓ Be able to maintain attention during dangerous tasks ✓ Be able to lift, move and maneuver up to 80 pounds on an infrequent basis, and up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis ✓ Have endurance necessary to perform these duties throughout a standard eight or ten hour day ✓ Be able to work long hours and overtime during/immediately following weather or other tree-related emergencies (including holidays, weekends, etc.) ✓ Have sufficient eyesight to judge distances, and the coordination to get and use the appropriate equipment and tools ✓ Be able to operate and service all required tools and equipment ✓ Have transportation to and from the start-up location ✓ Pass a pre-employment drug test and have a clean driver safety record if applying for a position that requires driving company vehicles

Responsibilities:

✓ Be punctual and reliable every day, and maintain good communication with your supervisor regarding anticipated absences, late arrivals, early departures, etc.

✓ Operate a chainsaw to piece up brush and logs ✓ Use chainsaws, hand saws, and pole saws to prune from the ground or rooftops ✓ Make pruning cuts according to ANSI A300 standards ✓ Assist the climber with rigging line operations by lowering cut limbs safely to the ground ✓ Gather, stack, and haul brush and logs and feed it into a chipper or load onto a trailer ✓ Service and clean chipper, chainsaws, pole saws, and other equipment as needed ✓ Work around hazardous equipment ✓ Work around excessive noise from machinery with ear protection ✓ Work in all temperatures and weather and be exposed to nature (i.e., irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, dust, etc) ✓ Work on un-level terrain and from rooftops ✓ Work around falling limbs with proper protection ✓ Any additional tasks as specified by supervisors