Job Title: Climber A

Location: Puerto Rico

Reports to: Crew Lead / Supervisor

Compensation Range: Insert $25 - $30 hourly (depending on location, experience, skills, and qualifications)

 

About Ceres Caribe

Ceres Caribe was founded in Puerto Rico in 1998 after Hurricane Georges. It has since grown to be one of the largest employers by providing careers on the island. Ceres Caribe is recognized for its rapid disaster recovery including debris removal, demolition, and blue roofs. We perform resiliency services, including vegetation management and utility line clearing for the Puerto Rican power grid. Ceres Caribe is also nationally recognized for creating natural parks and an aviary center on the island. The company is expanding its efforts to assist in securing the power grid for the Island.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People

At Ceres Caribe, we believe you're more than just an employee; you're part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Whether in management, field operations, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you'll fit right in.

We don't just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

What We Are Looking For

The Climber A plays a critical role in Ceres Caribe’s vegetation management and utility line clearing operations. This role supports disaster recovery, resiliency, and public safety by performing skilled tree trimming and removal work in the field.

Where the role fits in the organization:

· This role is part of the field operations team and works under the Crew Lead/Supervisor.

If it will be managing people:

· This role does not formally supervise employees but will direct crew members when the Crew Lead is away from the job site.

What success looks like in the first 12 months:

· Demonstrating mastery of climbing, trimming, and removal techniques.

· Consistently following safety protocols and preventing incidents.

· Supporting strong customer relations and representing Ceres Caribe professionally.

· Maintaining equipment in proper working condition and ensuring job sites remain orderly.

· Contributing to efficient project completion across Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra.

What You Will Do

Lead, manage, and execute core responsibilities related to tree trimming and removal.

Partner with teams/stakeholders to deliver safe and efficient vegetation management outcomes.

Ensure compliance with safety standards, equipment procedures, and operational regulations.

Role‑specific duties:

· Assist crew lead with obtaining written permission from property owners and help promote and maintain good customer, public, and employee relations.

· Direct crew members when the crew lead is away from the job site and take on leadership responsibilities when appropriate.

· Keep informed of new equipment, specifications, standards, practices, and operating procedures.

· Use appropriate tools to fell trees or trimmed trunks and split them into manageable pieces.

· Spray stumps and brush with hand‑spraying equipment to prevent further growth.

· Load and unload trucks with logs, stumps, brush, and debris and/or feed brush into a wood chipper.

· Repair slight damage to lawns, fences, and walks caused by tree trimming.

· Relay hand‑signals, direct traffic, drive and operate trucks and equipment as assigned, and keep trucks and work areas clear and orderly.

· Train new employees on proper procedures.

· Safeguard employees and the public from hazards in and around the work area; cooperate with customer, police, and fire departments when blocking streets or driveways; set up barriers, warning signs, and flags to protect employees and the public; perform tree and bucket rescue when trained.

· Assume responsibility for the inspection and proper working condition of tools, trucks, and equipment; request repairs or replacements when necessary.

· Work around hazardous equipment and in close proximity to energized power lines.

· Work around excessive noise from machines, chainsaws, and wood chippers while wearing proper PPE.

· Work in all temperatures and weather conditions, including exposure to irritating plants, insects, dust, and rough terrain.

· Help enforce on‑the‑job safety practices for crew members.

· Service trucks, chippers, and equipment, maintaining them in neat, clean, and specified mechanical order; report maintenance needs to the crew lead.

· Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Required Qualifications

· 5+  years of experience in tree trimming, climbing, or vegetation management.

· Ability to climb trees using ladders, safety belts, climbing lines, and other approved climbing equipment.

· Valid driver’s license.

· Proven ability to safely operate chainsaws, pruners, chippers, and related equipment.

· Knowledge of safety standards related to tree trimming, equipment operation, and work near energized power lines.

· Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in utility line clearance or disaster recovery operations.

· Training or certification in tree rescue, bucket rescue, or related safety procedures.

· Bilingual (Spanish/English).

· Experience directing small crews or training new employees.

What to Expect

Employees in this role can expect physically demanding outdoor work in all weather conditions across Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra. Work includes climbing trees, operating heavy equipment, and working near energized power lines while following strict safety protocols. The environment includes exposure to heat, humidity, insects, dust, and loud noise from machinery. Travel to various project sites is required, and schedules may vary depending on operational needs.

The role requires strong situational awareness, teamwork, and a commitment to safety. Climber A employees will interact with property owners, the public, and partner agencies, representing Ceres Caribe with professionalism and respect. The position offers opportunities to develop advanced climbing skills, take on leadership responsibilities, and contribute directly to Puerto Rico’s resiliency and recovery efforts.

Physical Requirements and Environment

Ceres provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. The physical requirements listed below reflect the essential functions of this role. If you need accommodation to perform these functions, please inform us during the application process.

· Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

· Specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus where required to safely perform the job.

· Willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, etc. in jobs that require PPE.

· Ability to work in adverse weather/field conditions, elevated spaces, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, exposure to mechanical parts, wet and/or humid conditions, high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration, and loud noise levels.

· Commitment to following safety standards and protocols.

 

Why Join Ceres Caribe?

At Ceres Caribe, you won't just have a job, you'll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the speed and strength of community recovery after disasters.

We offer:

· A collaborative, mission-driven culture.

· Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

· The chance to make a lasting difference for communities.

Ceres Caribe is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.