Tree Felling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Saw Crew Foreman
General Purpose:
This position is responsible for leading the Saw Crew in advanced tree removal, hazard mitigation, corridor clearing, and forestry operations across resort terrain. The Saw Crew Foreman oversees daily field operations, crew safety, production standards, project execution, and equipment readiness while actively participating in saw operations. This role requires advanced chainsaw proficiency, strong leadership, hazard recognition, and the ability to make sound decisions in steep, technical, and high-risk mountain environments. The Saw Crew Foreman serves as the field leader for assigned projects, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to department standards while maintaining clear communication with Trails Maintenance leadership.
This is a seasonal position from 6/15/26 to 10/29/26. Dates are subject to change based on the availability of the applicant and needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass
for you and your dependents. Also, eligible for 2026-2027 Winter Season Pass! For a full list of benefits visit https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Lead daily saw crew operations including project planning, jobsite setup, on-site safety meetings, and task delegation
• Supervise crew members performing tree felling, limbing, bucking, hazard tree mitigation, and corridor clearing
• Assess terrain, hazards, weather, and operational risk to determine safe work plans
• Enforce all PPE, chainsaw safety, and operational safety standards
• Train, mentor, and evaluate crew members in safe saw operation, work quality, and productivity
• Coordinate equipment, vehicle, fuel, and tool staging for daily projects
• Perform advanced chainsaw operations in complex or hazardous situations
• Conduct and oversee daily saw, vehicle, and equipment inspections and maintenance
• Communicate project progress, operational needs, and safety concerns with supervisors
• Support interdepartmental coordination with Snowmaking, Construction, and Trails teams
• Assist in incident response and field problem-solving
• Maintain accurate awareness of crew location, workload, and operational efficiency throughout the workday
Other Responsibilities:
• Assist with hiring input, onboarding, and crew development
• Support brush, trail building, erosion control, and infrastructure projects as needed
• Identify workflow improvements and efficiency opportunities
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, accountability, and team culture
• Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Extensive experience in logging, forestry, arboriculture, fuels reduction, or similar high-risk chainsaw operations strongly preferred.
This role requires:
• Advanced chainsaw and tree felling proficiency
• Demonstrated leadership and crew management ability
• High-level hazard recognition and jobsite risk assessment
• Strong communication, delegation, and conflict resolution
• Mechanical proficiency with chainsaw maintenance
• Strong independent decision-making under pressure
• Excellent terrain awareness and operational logistics
Additional strengths include initiative, accountability, memory, reasoning, professionalism, and leadership by example.
Special Certifications/Licensing:
• Valid Driver's License required
Strongly preferred certifications and qualifications include one or more of the following:
• USFS / NWCG Sawyer Certification (Faller B or C preferred)
• S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws or equivalent
• ISA Arborist / TRAQ / advanced forestry certifications
• OSHA safety training
• Previous professional experience in logging, forestry, tree service, or fuels reduction crews
• Leadership or supervisory experience in forestry, logging, arboriculture, or mountain operations
Candidates without formal certifications may still be considered if they demonstrate strong, verifiable chainsaw experience and safe operating practices in professional or high-risk environments.
Education or Formal Training:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Experience:
• Minimum 3 years of professional chainsaw use in forestry, logging, arboriculture, or other relevant fields strongly preferred
• Minimum 1 year crew leadership, supervisory, or foreman experience strongly preferred
Working Environment/Physical Activities:
99% of the workday is spent outdoors in a mountain forest environment, in changing weather conditions including but not limited to: extreme cold and heat, wind, snow, rain, thunder and
lightning storms. 30% of the workday is spent standing and 60% is spent walking on uneven terrain. 10% of the workday is spent sitting.
Frequent balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, talking and listening, using near and far acuity depth perception, color and field of vision. Occasionally climbing, crawling, feeling, and smelling. Frequently lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally weighing up to 100lbs.