Ground Support Specialist

Job Title: Ground Support Specialist

The Planner/Spotter will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the right-of way prior to aerial saw operations. The planning and flagging phase must start before sawing operations begin. Additionally, the planning and flagging process must always remain ahead of the aerial saw operation. During the assessment, all hazards will be identified and flagged in accordance with The Standard Flagging Protocol. Hazards should be documented and accessible to the spotter during aerial saw operations. This information will be given to the Project
Manager for further review and prepared for the aerial saw crews. The Planner/Spotter will also assist the Project Manager in locating landing zones (LZ’s). The Planner/Spotter will also be responsible for accessing the ROW during aerial saw operations. The planner/spotter will assist the pilot with identifying marked hazards and monitoring the safety of the ROW during aerial saw operations.

This role will work a 21 days on/21 days off schedule with 100% travel during the "on" period. Candidates may be located anywhere in the Eastern half of the United States.

Planner/Spotter Duties and Responsibilities:

Gain access to and inspect rights-of-way ahead of aerial saw operations.
This may include walking, driving, high-railing (driving along the track),
flying, etc.

• Identify, and mark all hazards during assessment (adjacent circuits, guy wires, fences, tree stands, vegetation that should be avoided: cherry trees in livestock pastures, ornamental yard trees, etc.). (See proper marking/Flagging outlined in the Standard Flagging Protocol)
• Notify landowners of potential impact to property.
• Assist the PM with locating LZ’s. This will include approval from the landowner, contact information and location information (address AND

coordinates).

• Work closely with the PM to prepare documentation and work-plan for the project.
• The Spotter must always be in sight of the aircraft and equipped with binoculars or similar sighting device.
• Monitor and report unauthorized (non-crewmember) access in to the 200’ safety zone when the aerial saw is operational to the pilot immediately for guidance and next steps.
• The spotter will have access to the documented hazards and will be responsible for communicating all marked and unmarked hazards to

the pilot. These hazards may include but are not limited to: adjacent circuits, guy wires, fences, tree stands, other aircraft in the area, livestock,
non-crewmembers encroaching in the work area, etc.

• The Spotter will attend/participate in Morning Pre-Flight meeting each day to discuss & explain hazards identified and answer any questions the pilot may have concerns with the work area being worked for that day.
• Maintain communications with Pilot and Ground Personnel during trimming operations.
• Assist with traffic control/identification during aerial saw operations.
• Take photos and document vegetation, hardware and property that may be significantly impacted by aerial saw operations. Examples of this may include, overhung vegetation, canopied vegetation, terrain affecting the exposure of the vegetation to the hardware, old/warn/damaged hardware that could be affected by falling debris, etc.
• This information will be communicated to responsible parties and/or the Regions Field Operations Supervisor in charge of the project.
• Document existing property damage as well as damaged property resulting from trimming operations investigations, e.g., pictures, video, etc.

Standard Flagging Protocol

1. All road crossings, occupied structures, and line crossings must be flagged at a distance of 200’ from said object on both sides of the ROW.
The flagging must be placed/positioned in a manner that allows the pilot to clearly maintain sight of it throughout the trimming process.
2. Potential guywire hazards which may impede saw operations.
3. Line crossing will have an X placed at the 200’ point signifying the crossing ahead.
4. Fences and wires running in the cut line will be flagged along the fence line and in a manner that allows the pilot to clearly maintain sight of it throughout the trimming process.
5. Tree stands, feeders, shooting houses, etc. will be flagged perpendicular to the ROW and in a manner that allows the pilot to clearly maintain sight of it throughout the trimming process.
6. Understanding there may be areas that are inaccessible for the spotter to properly flag the hazards. When and if this occurs, the spotter will
document the location utilizing span numbers, hazard, and/or any identifying content and share it with the Project Manager and/or Pilot.

Founded in 2008, the Rotor Blade team believes in a spirit of innovation and striving for excellence in everything we do. We pride ourselves on safety, quality and productivity. To accomplish this means hiring the best people to help us achieve these goals. If your values match Rotor Blade's, consider joining our team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Committed to upholding a safe work environment

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Entry-level position, no experience required.
• Previous experience a plus.

Pre-Screen

• Upon offer, employees may be required to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen, background, and/or MVR check.

License & Certifications:

• Driver's License Required.

Physical Requirements:

• RARE (less than 10%): Sitting, Crawling, Climbing Poles, Color Vision, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Stairs
• OCCASSIONAL (up to 33%): stooping, kneeling squatting, body twisting, sense of touch, climbing on/off truck, gripping, lifting over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, balancing, lifting over 50 lbs.
• FREQUENT (up to 66%): standing, walking, manual dexterity, seeing distant, seeing, reading, range of motion, hearing-speech range, depth perception, climbing stairs, lifting up to 10 lbs.
• CONTINUOUS (up to 100%): Sense of Touch, Gripping, Seeing, Carrying, Pulling

Safety

Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate and handle conflict professionally.

About Us:

Rotor Blade, LLC a South Carolina company, formed in 2008 provides Airborne Vegetation Management Services for overhead electric distribution and transmission lines; directly for utilities, railroad, gas/pipeline or line clearing contractors. Our well-maintained fleet of MD 500 helicopters and highly skilled pilots will reduce the risk of injury to tree workers, as well as the time and cost associated with ground-to-sky trimming in difficult terrain and remote areas.

Rotor Blade's services include: Aerial Side Trimming, Patented Tree Topper Trimming, Aerial Patrolling, Power Line Construction Services and Emergency / Storm Response Services.

Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation should contact the ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 1339.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

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