Foreperson

Job Title: Working Foreperson

This position plays a critical role in ensuring the productivity of daily operations, working closely with management to determine recruiting/hiring needs, deadlines, and safety protocols to enforce among the crew. The Foreperson is responsible for troubleshooting routine job-site issues and engaging all employees/contractors in required training, managing, and mentoring.

About the Role

As a key member of our team, the Working Foreperson will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and assigning daily work for the crew after receiving/interpreting orders from a General Foreperson/Supervisor. This includes conducting field training/retraining, instructing crew on new or revised job units, and enforcing safe work practices as specified by experience, judgment, company policy, and OSHA.

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and assigns daily work for the crew after receiving/interpreting orders from a General Foreperson/Supervisor.
• Conducts field training/retraining, instructing crew on new or revised job units.
• Enforces safe work practices, as experience, judgment, company policy, and OSHA specify and conducts safety training following company policies and procedures.
• Discusses with property owner/customer(s) issues such as obtaining access, power interruption, work to be done, responsibility for apparent property damage; refers controversial cases to the General Foreperson.
• Obtains oral or written permission from property owners to perform required work.
• Promotes and maintains good customer and public relations through effective completion of assigned work and the appropriate behavior of employees on the crew.
• May be delegated the authority to investigate incident reports, damage claims, etc., and to settle minor damage claims.
• Maintains accurate records, timesheets, and reports related to the performance of the crew operation.
• Controls crew costs, including effective use of people power, work methods, operation of equipment, etc.
• Furnishes General Foreperson and utility representative with reports of orders completed, units of work completed, crew time, minor damage repairs and distribution, etc.
• Periodically furnishes reports on incidents, truck breakdowns, private property damage, new employee follow-up, etc.
• Cooperates with customers, police, and fire departments when blocking streets or driveways.
• Sets up barriers, warning signs, flags, markers, etc., to protect employees and safeguard the public from hazards. In emergencies, determines the action to be taken to eliminate hazards to life and property.
• Inspects and makes or provides for necessary repairs to tools, trucks, and other equipment.
• Maintains good housekeeping on the truck and at the work location.
• Responsible for DOT maintenance and inspection requirements on all required vehicles.
• Keeps informed regarding new equipment, specifications, standard practices, operating procedures, and customer and company employee relations policies and practices, including EEO and AA policies. Requests repair or replacement, when necessary.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Requires the understanding of drawings and symbols representing lines, voltages, line equipment, etc.
• Must have excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Must have organization skills and be able to multi-task.
• Must be capable of adjusting to field requirements and take independent action without close supervision.
• Must be able to safely drive an approved company vehicle.
• Must be able to work with hands above head for extended periods of time.
• Due to the capacity of existing equipment, the weight of the employee should not exceed approximately 300 pounds.
• Must have no fear of heights.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent preferred.

Travel Requirements

Must have transportation to and from the show-up location.

Physical Requirements

• RARE (less than 10%): Sitting, Kneeling, and Crawling
• FREQUENT (up to 66 %): Stooping, Squatting, Body Twisting, Manual Dexterity, Reading, Climbing Ladders, Climbing On/Off Truck, Climbing Poles, Gripping, and Climbing Stairs
• CONTINUOUS (up to 100%): Standing, Walking, Sense of Touch, Speaking Clearly, Seeing Distant, Seeing, Reaching, Range of Motion, Hearing-Speech Range, Depth Perception, Color Vision, Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting Over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., Balancing, Lifting Up to 10 lbs., and Lifting Up to 50 lbs.

Safety

Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate and handle conflict professionally.

• Works in proximity to energized power lines.
• Works around excessive noise from machines, chain saw woodchipper, and other equipment with hearing protection.
• Works in all temperatures and weather and will be exposed to nature, i.e., irritating plants and biting or stinging insects, dust, etc.
• Works at varying heights above ground and on unlevel terrain.
• Must be able to walk, climb, and work from ladders, or at various heights, on uneven and slippery surfaces, performing mentally/physically demanding work under unfavorable weather conditions while handling equipment or material.

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