Tub Grinder Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Equipment Operator

Pay Rate Type: Non-Exempt

Creation Date/Revision Date: 04/24/2026

Job Summary:

The Equipment Operator is responsible for operating various types of machinery to support right of way vegetation maintenance and clearance around power lines. This role identifies safety hazards and helps perform basic maintenance to ensure equipment is within working order to support business needs.

Essential Job Duties:

• Loads and unloads vehicles and equipment from a trailer. Responsible for proper load securement in accordance with company policies, approved work methods and FMCSA regulations.

• Works on the ground using hand saws, ground saws or other applicable tools to cut brush, limbs and logs of larger trees. Also utilizes a variety of tools (i.e. rake, shovel, leaf blower) to remove debris from work area.

• Gathers manageable size brush, limbs and logs and carries to the designated chipping area.

• Operates heavy machinery such as boom trimmers or mowers, excavators, tub grinder, feller-buncher, etc.

• Adheres to and helps educate less experienced employees on company policies, on-the-job safety practices, approved work methods and OSHA regulations.

• Uses applicable herbicide equipment to treat stumps and brush. Maintain appropriate application records.

• Applies herbicide and growth regulators to brush and stumps.

• Works around hazardous equipment and in close proximity to energized power lines.

• Conducts pre-inspection of work area to identify potential hazards.

• Loads vehicles and equipment with manageable size limbs and logs not suited for wood chipping.

• Sets up warning signs, barriers, flags, relays hand-signals, directs traffic and other applicable traffic control devices to protect employees and members of the public from hazards in and around the work area. Cooperates with property owner, customer, and emergency personnel when blocking streets or driveways.

• Staging and clean-up of tools and equipment at the job site. Maintains a neat and orderly work area.

• Conducts vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure proper working conditions. Conducts routine maintenance on company vehicles, equipment and tools. Reports specialized vehicle maintenance or equipment needs to General Foreperson.

• During emergencies or natural disasters may be required to be on duty and travel outside of regular work location for the duration of the disaster. Assists with contacting and coordinating the crew's response to such work and responsible for determining proper steps necessary to eliminate hazards and trim/remove trees while onsite during emergency response.

• Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright's culture of safety and employee ownership.

• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintain knowledge of and follow all company policies and procedures.

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

Other Duties:

• Drives and operates vehicles and equipment as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements:

• Ability to operate heavy equipment such as boom trimmers or mowers, excavators, tub grinder, feller-buncher, etc.

• Knowledge of trees, including identification, growth habits and arboricultural techniques specific to trimming, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing, in close proximity to energized conductors.

• Knowledge and understanding of the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations (ANSI Z133.1-current version).

• Ability to adhere and coach employees on company and industry safety requirements.

• Knowledge of electrical circuits and skilled in reading and understanding of circuit maps.

• Knowledge of OSHA electric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards. Ability to determine nominal voltage, proper use of insulated tools near energized parts and distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment.

• Ability to learn quickly and to follow instructions accurately.

• Must be able to communicate with others and represent Wright Tree Service in a professional manner.

• Must be able to comprehend and/or read and write both written and verbal job instructions and safety information.

• Ability to recognize poisonous plants and take proper safeguard against them.

• Must be able to wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

• Ability to work long hours and overtime during emergencies (including holidays, weekends, storm work) and will be subject to call-out work.

• Demonstrate knowledge and trained to perform tree and bucket rescue.

• Ability to operate and service all required tools and equipment.

• Ability to work both independently and in a group.

Education, Certification & Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required.

• Must have valid First-Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

Other Preferred Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's or commercial driver's license (dependent upon Division and utility/contract requirements) and DOT medical card in accordance with FMCSA regulations.

• Drive a vehicle with an attached chipper or other trailing unit to, from or within the work area.

• Maintain herbicide application certification or equivalent as required by Wright Tree Service and local, state, and federal law.

• Keeps informed of new equipment and specifications, standards, practices, and operating procedures.

Language Requirements (read, write, speak):

English - Read, Write, Speak

Spanish - Read, Write, Speak

Other Language _________________ - Read, Write, Speak

Travel Requirements:

No-Seldom

Yes-Occasional (up to 5%)

Yes-Moderate (5% to 25%)

Yes-Substantial (25% to 50%)

Yes-Extensive (greater than 50%)

Physical Characteristics:

This position may require physical demands and activities including:

• Effective bending, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Occasionally reach upward and downward.

• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Possesses the ability to lift, move, and maneuver up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis and up to 30 pounds on a frequent basis.

• Must be able to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned or make general observations of the community; close visual acuity, such as reading a computer screen, reading printed material, inspection of small defects, and using measurement devices.

• Ability to enter and exit vehicles and equipment numerous times per day.

Environmental Factors:

This position may be exposed to the following factors:

• Routine exposure to indoor and outdoor working conditions.

• Routine exposure to weather, climate and temperature, such as rain, heat, sun, cold, snow.

• Routine exposure to nature, such as irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, dust, etc; position works outdoor on rugged terrain.

• Routine exposure to noise, vibration, working hazards such as proximity to moving parts, mechanical equipment, moving vehicles, gasoline powered equipment, electrical current, heights, exposure to heat, exposure to chemicals, work in close quarters, narrow aisles or passageways, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, cleaning chemicals, dust, odors, and a variety of pests.

COMPANY STATEMENTS (U.S. Only):

Job Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunities: Wright Service Corp. respects diversity, and we are an inclusive and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical and mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation. We are dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Reasonable Accommodation: Wright Service Corp. is committed to complying with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, or regulations governing reasonable accommodations to individuals, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To that end, as required by applicable law, we will make a reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees who have requested an accommodation or for whom we have notice may require such an accommodation, without regard to any protected classifications, related to an individual's: (i) disability, meaning any physical, medical, mental, or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment; (ii) sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; (iii) needs related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; and/or (iv) any other reason required by applicable law, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.

At-Will Employment: Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, rule, or regulation, employment with Wright Service Corp. is "at will." This means that an employee's employment may be terminated at any time by either the employee or Wright Service Corp., for any or no reason, with or without cause or advance notice. No supervisor or Wright Service Corp. personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer's designee has any authority to enter into a contract of employment, oral, written or otherwise, express or implied, that changes or alters the at-will employment relationship. Any such agreement must be in writing signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer's designee.

Drug & Alcohol-Free Workplace: To help ensure a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for our employees and others, protect Wright Service Corp. property, and ensure efficient operations, the Wright Service Corp. has adopted a policy of maintaining a workplace free of unlawful or unauthorized drugs and alcohol.

Cargo: Equipment Operator

Tipo de salario: No exento

Fecha de creacion/Fecha de revision: 04/24/2026

Resumen del puesto:

El Equipment Operator es responsable de operar varios tipos de maquinaria para apoyar el mantenimiento de la vegetacion en los derechos de paso y la limpieza alrededor de las lineas electricas. Este rol identifica riesgos de seguridad y ayuda a realizar mantenimiento basico para asegurar que el equipo este en condiciones de funcionamiento y pueda apoyar las necesidades del negocio.

Funciones esenciales del puesto:

• Carga y descarga vehiculos y equipo desde un remolque. Es responsable de asegurar correctamente la carga de acuerdo con las politicas de la empresa, los metodos de trabajo aprobados y las regulaciones de la FMCSA.

• Trabaja desde el suelo utilizando sierras de mano, sierras de uso en el suelo u otras herramientas aplicables para cortar arbustos, ramas y troncos de arboles mas grandes. Tambien utiliza diversas herramientas (por ejemplo, rastrillo, pala, sopladora de hojas) para retirar los escombros del area de trabajo.

• Recoge ramas, arbustos y troncos de tamano manejable y los transporta al area designada para el triturado de madera.

• Opera maquinaria pesada como equipos podadores con brazo hidraulico o desbrozadoras, excavadoras, trituradora de tambor, tumbador-apilador (feller-buncher), etc.

• Cumple y ayuda a educar al personal con menos experiencia sobre las politicas de la empresa, las practicas de seguridad en el trabajo, los metodos de trabajo aprobados y las regulaciones de OSHA.

• Usa el equipo aplicable de herbicidas para tratar tocones y vegetacion, y mantiene los registros de aplicacion correspondientes.

• Aplica herbicidas y reguladores de crecimiento a arbustos y tocones.

• Trabaja alrededor de equipo peligroso y en proximidad cercana a lineas electricas energizadas.

• Realiza una preinspeccion del area de trabajo para identificar posibles riesgos.

• Carga vehiculos y equipo con ramas y troncos de tamano manejable que no son aptos para la trituradora de madera.

• Coloca senales de advertencia, barreras, banderas, dirige el trafico y utiliza dispositivos de control de transito para proteger al personal y al publico de los peligros en el area de trabajo. Coopera con los propietarios, clientes y personal de emergencia cuando sea necesario bloquear calles o entradas.

• Organiza y limpia las herramientas y el equipo en el lugar de trabajo. Mantiene el area limpia y ordenada.

• Realiza inspecciones de vehiculos y equipo para asegurar que esten en condiciones adecuadas de funcionamiento. Lleva a cabo mantenimiento rutinario en los vehiculos, el equipo y las herramientas de la empresa. Reporta necesidades de mantenimiento especializado al General Foreperson.

• Durante emergencias o desastres naturales, puede ser requerido permanecer "de guardia" y viajar fuera de su ubicacion regular de trabajo por...