What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Safety (Utility Vegetation Management) position at CHOP Tree Service?
Company: CHOP
Location: Michigan
Industry: Utility Vegetation Management / Tree Care
CHOP is a rapidly growing utility vegetation management contractor serving major utilities throughout Michigan. Our teams perform critical line clearance and vegetation management work that helps keep power infrastructure safe and reliable.
With over 170 field crews and continued growth, CHOP is building a best-in-class safety program focused on protecting our people while supporting operational excellence.
We are seeking a Director of Safety to lead the ongoing development of our safety systems, build a strong field safety team, and to continue reinforcing and building upon our Safety-First culture, ensuring every employee’s highest priority is the safety of themselves and their teammates.
The Director of Safety will lead CHOP’s safety strategy across all field operations. This role will focus on Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) prevention, field engagement, and building a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.
This leader will work closely with operations leadership to ensure safety systems support both employee protection and high-performing crews.
• Continue developing and implementing CHOP’s company-wide safety program
• Build and lead a field-focused safety team
• Establish SIF prevention systems across operations
Field Safety Engagement• Maintain regular presence in the field with crews
• Conduct job site visits and safety observations with team
• Coach safety advisors, general foreman and foremen on safe work practices
Incident Investigation & Prevention• Lead investigation of incidents and near misses
• Identify root causes and implement corrective actions
• Track safety trends and identify high-risk exposures
Safety Systems & Reporting• Develop safety metrics and performance dashboards
• Monitor key indicators and audit completion
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and industry safety standards
Utility & Client Safety Interface• Serve as primary safety contact with utility partners
• Participate in utility safety meetings and contractor evaluations
Training & Development• Oversee safety training programs for field employees
• Develop supervisor safety leadership training
• Ensure compliance with required certifications and safety standards
• 10 years of experience in high-risk field operations
• Safety leadership experience in utility vegetation, arboriculture, or related industries
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and industry safety practices
Preferred Experience• Utility vegetation management or line clearance operations
• Experience leading safety teams in large field-based organizations
• ISA Certified Arborist or similar industry credential
Skills & Leadership QualitiesThe ideal candidate will be:
• Field-oriented and comfortable engaging with crews
• A strong communicator capable of influencing supervisors and managers
• Practical and solutions-focused
• Passionate about building a strong safety culture
• Competitive salary
• Performance bonus opportunities
• Full benefits package
This role offers the opportunity to build and lead a safety program from the ground up within a rapidly growing organization.
You will play a key role in shaping the culture and protecting the employees who perform critical infrastructure work every day.
ApplyInterested candidates should submit a resume and brief introduction outlining their experience in safety leadership and field operations.