What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry Crew Lead — Lead the Pack, Protect the Hill Country position at Bear Claw Land Services?
Ready to step up and lead the best land clearing & cedar removal crew in Central Texas? If you've got the grit to outwork the elements and the mind to manage a high-performing team, Bear Claw Land Services wants you.
We don't just "cut trees." We execute high-stakes wildfire mitigation and land clearing projects that protect the Hill Country's ranches and fast-growing communities. As a Crew Lead, you aren't just a boss. You're the pace-setter, the problem-solver, and the guardian of our 5-star reputation. You'll manage the ground game on 100 acre ranch clearing projects all the way down to steep, 1 acre lakefront properties while ensuring your team stays safe, efficient, and dialed in.
So why lead at Bear Claw? You get the responsibility of a foreman with the lifestyle of a local. We provide the platform; you provide the leadership. Here's what's in it for you:
- $30.00 – $40.00/hr (Leading industry pay for elite leads)
- Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental
- Leadership Development: We invest in your growth as a manager and professional
About You
- You're a Proven Leader: You have 3–5 years of forestry or land clearing experience and have successfully managed crews in high-pressure environments. You know how to motivate a team without "bossing" them around.
- You Live for the Outdoors: Whether you're on the lake at sunrise or in a deer blind in November, you understand the Texas lifestyle and the terrain we work in.
- You Demand 5-Star Service: You don't just walk away from a job; you inspect it. You ensure every acre is left in pristine condition and every client is ready to write a glowing review.
- You Are the Moral Compass: Integrity isn't a buzzword for you. You prioritize safety and honesty even when the deadline is tight.
- You're a Master Technician: You can out-saw and out-operate anyone on the crew, but you're humble enough to teach others your secrets.
- You're a Logistics Ninja: You see three steps ahead. You anticipate equipment needs, weather shifts, and site challenges before they become problems.
What You'll Do This is a "boots on the ground" leadership role. You'll be in the dirt with your crew, directing the flow of the project:
- Direct Operations: Oversee the daily execution of cedar clearing, mastication, and land clearing. You own the site's productivity and safety.
- Master the Fleet: Lead by example on forestry skid steers, excavators, and chippers. You're responsible for ensuring the "big toys" are used effectively and treated right.
- Team Mentorship: Train junior technicians on chainsaw precision, rigging, and equipment maintenance. You're building the next generation of sawyers.
- Quality Control: Perform final walkthroughs to ensure slash management and erosion control meet our "Bear Claw Standard."
- Equipment Oversight: Manage daily inspections and ensure field repairs are handled so the crew never stalls.
- Communication: Act as the primary link between the field and the office, reporting progress and solving site-specific hurdles across Travis, Hays, Blanco, and Burnet counties.
Requirements
- Expert Sawyer Skills: Advanced felling and bucking techniques are second nature to you.
- Heavy Equipment Mastery: 3 years of professional experience operating forestry-specific machinery (mulchers, track hoes, grapples).
- Leadership Experience: Prior experience as a foreman, crew lead, or project manager in a field setting.
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Driver's license & reliable vehicle required
Qualifications
- Do you have a driver's license & car? (Required)
- Do you have US work authorization? (Required)
- Are you able to pass a background check? (Required)
- Do you have 3 years of forestry or land clearing experience? (Required)
Think you have what it takes to lead the Claw? Apply today and we'll get back to you ASAP.
Pay: $30.00 – $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person (Field-based across the Texas Hill Country, based out of the Austin area)
Pay: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $30 - $40