Arborist Foreman, Journeyman Level Climber, Groundman- Minnesota

Brando CalPankian

Brando CalPankian

Carpal tunnel level member
Location
Pine City, MN
Blue Pine Works is hiring!

We are hiring a foreman, experienced climber, and a Groundman to help build our ranks. We are based out of Pine City, MN. We focus on high end pruning (40%), PHC (30%), and removals (30%).

We're not completely full time, but do operate at about 30+ hours per week with a solid 2-3 month backlog currently.

We offer health benefits, retirement, HSA, paid time off, sick leave, gear allowance, benefits help, and excellent training.

We're TCIA members (in the process of accreditation), ISA members, with an ISA BCMA/TRAQ, TCIA CTSP/Tree care specialist on staff. All training is paid. We offer the full TCIA course catalogue, CDL training, and other relevant industry training. We are in the final works of implementing a formal DOL apprenticeship as well.

We are a highly mechanized crew consisting of modern equipment such as a large capacity chip truck, 13" chipper with winch, small tractor with implements and grapple, 72hd CMC lift, 755i avant with goodies including a forestry mulcher, and excellent small equipment. We still climb trees and do a damn good job of it. We are looking to add a crane in fiscal year 2025 as well.

Groundman can expect to start at a minimum of $20 per hour, with experienced people making much more ($30-60+) if they have a good attitude and leadership potential.

Please apply through our website for experienced folks www.bluepineworks.com, or through indeed for the Groundman position.


We are not in a hurry to hire. All candidates must be drug free and will be drug tested. No felons please. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. All positions are subject to a 6 month probation period.

Thank you
 
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thinking logistics etc here.... what is the rental market like for housing? What' the culture in the town like? What do people in Pine City do in the off hours? Looks like there's a lake... 1 hour to St. Paul... I'm personally curious, but others may want to know as well. I've never heard of the place, pop 3000? What's it all about??
 
Check in with local colleges that have any program that resembles arboriculture. Many have job postings. Some require internships which might yield longer term employees.
Davey’s head office is in Ohio, the college there offers arboriculture programs.
Check in with your chapter some have a job listing for other members.
Check in with local companies. If they aren’t hiring maybe they can refer their applicants to you? My climber came from a different company who shifted gears and reached out to me to see if I needed anyone to take care of his employee.
 
evo said:
Check in with local colleges that have any program that resembles arboriculture. Many have job postings. Some require internships which might yield longer term employees.
Davey’s head office is in Ohio, the college there offers arboriculture programs.
Check in with your chapter some have a job listing for other members.
Check in with local companies. If they aren’t hiring maybe they can refer their applicants to you? My climber came from a different company who shifted gears and reached out to me to see if I needed anyone to take care of his employee.
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This is a great idea. I had older postings to TCIA/ISA, and chamber of commerce. Would be worth it to reach out and see.
 
levi r said:
thinking logistics etc here.... what is the rental market like for housing? What' the culture in the town like? What do people in Pine City do in the off hours? Looks like there's a lake... 1 hour to St. Paul... I'm personally curious, but others may want to know as well. I've never heard of the place, pop 3000? What's it all about??
Click to expand...
Good questions.

Pine City has Cross and Pokegama lakes in city limits, as well as the Snake River. There's a few apartment complexes, and some rentals within half an hour. This part of Minnesota is nice because we're close enough to amenities and other cities without being too busy. For reference, were 15 minutes to a casino, under 30 minutes to North Branch/Cambridge (10-30k people with more amenities), and half way between Duluth and the Twin Cities. It's located off of I35 which is well maintained in the winter.
Pine City has a few decent parks, local shopping, a few good eateries, a brewery, and pretty good schools. We even have a Walmart. There's a ton of events, including art in the park all through the summer, flea markets, farmers markets, kids events (many of them free), a really good fair, rodeo, and more. It's a big snowmobile town in the winter. The city does a good job at keeping things clean and orderly and is actively improving things. Crime is pretty low. Pine County is one of the lowest income counties in the state, but Pine City isn't a low income city vs some of our neighbors.
I'm off hours there's a lot to do outdoors. You're minutes away from hiking, camping, state parks, fishing, kayaking, sight seeing, events, and shopping. And, as mentioned, we're close to a number of other towns. We're on the border of Wisconsin as well, do with that what you will. The town is a good mix politically, fairly neutral and accepting of folks.
Overall it's got quite a bit going for it for a small town. Our food isn't too expensive, our gas is reasonable, utilities are pretty good and out utility is upgrading all services to integrate fiber internet (a huge bonus).
Housing is pretty fairly priced as well. We got 3+ acres with a decent sized home (2 story with full basement, 5 bed, shop and wood shop for $200k).
Not sure what else to add. Just got done with 12 hours in scorching heat so my brain is fried. Lol
 
I'd like to bump this post. A lot has changed. We purchased a lift, have solidified more marketing strategies to maintain backlog through the winter, and have increased our arsenal of small equipment. We're looking for someone to come in, learn, grow, and help lead. Our goal is to have 2 full time crews this year.

Pine City is north of the twin cities about 60 miles, and South of Duluth about 80 miles.

We take great pride in the work we produce and in the care we show our employees. Willing to train the right person.
 
Our foreman didn't end up working out unfortunately.

Please don't apply if you can't regularly make it to work and demand to be paid when you're not showing up, and especially don't apply if you're going to destroy equipment.

That said, we're hiring again. We'll be looking to add the right candidate to help lead a crew starting in April.

Referrals are welcome.
 
RogerM said:
Dang, best of luck. Someone will show up. (equipment abuse is a real pet peeve for me)
Not to derail... My powers of observation come and go... Is the BCMA newish for you? if so, Awesome, congrats! If its been awhile, my bad, and late congrats!
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I just passed the test at the end of January, so super new! I'm pretty giddy about it.

Yeah equipment abuse is no bueno. I worked my ass off to get nice equipment, I don't want one bozo to ruin everything. We're a small outfit, it's not like we have the ability to just shrug that stuff off.
 
We start our groundies off at $30 an hour if they're in our apprenticeship. Climbers can make much more, on average 35-45 depending on proficiency and experience/certs. A good foreman who can climb, teach, and is pleasant to be around who doesn't destroy stuff will easily make 45+. I'm not above paying 60+ an hour for someone who fits the bill.

I'm now looking at hiring in spring. This will give me time to offer a hiring bonus, finish acquiring equipment, and hopefully the ability to assist with travel accommodations for folks not in our area.

Climbers/foreman will be subject to a paid working interview so I can evaluate skills and proficiency.

Hiring sucks.
 
Brando CalPankian BCMA said:
We start our groundies off at $30 an hour if they're in our apprenticeship. Climbers can make much more, on average 35-45 depending on proficiency and experience/certs. A good foreman who can climb, teach, and is pleasant to be around who doesn't destroy stuff will easily make 45+. I'm not above paying 60+ an hour for someone who fits the bill.

I'm now looking at hiring in spring. This will give me time to offer a hiring bonus, finish acquiring equipment, and hopefully the ability to assist with travel accommodations for folks not in our area.

Climbers/foreman will be subject to a paid working interview so I can evaluate skills and proficiency.

Hiring sucks.
Click to expand...
Sound like one awesome opportunity. Congrats on passing the BCMA. Quite the cert. Keep up the good work Sir. Hope you find who you are looking for.
 
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