Does Asplundh hire felons?

Yes, Asplundh hires some people with felony records, especially for entry-level groundperson and trimmer roles. There is no blanket ban; local management has real discretion and weighs work ethic, experience, and the nature of the conviction.

Does Asplundh do background checks?

Yes. Job offers are subject to a criminal background check, plus a pre-employment drug screen and a motor vehicle record review for roles that involve driving.

Does Asplundh drug test?

Yes. Asplundh requires a pre-employment drug screen once an offer is made, and safety-sensitive line-clearance work may involve additional testing during employment.

Do you need experience to work at Asplundh?

No. Entry-level groundperson roles require no experience and come with paid on-the-job training and weekly pay, making Asplundh an accessible reentry option.

What does Asplundh do?

Asplundh is a utility vegetation management company that clears trees and brush away from power lines for electric utilities, along with services for railroads, pipelines, and municipalities.

Does Asplundh Tree Expert Hire Felons?

Last updated: 2026-07-12

Sometimes

Asplundh runs background checks but has no blanket ban; local management has real discretion, and entry-level groundperson and trimmer roles hire steadily with paid training. Driving roles require a clean motor vehicle record.

Asplundh Tree Expert does hire some people with felony records, particularly for entry-level groundperson and tree trimmer roles. Founded in 1928 and headquartered in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Asplundh is a privately held, family-owned utility vegetation management company and one of the largest of its kind, with roughly 35,000 employees clearing trees and brush away from power lines across the country. The company posts thousands of openings a year and offers paid on-the-job training with weekly pay, so ground crews hire constantly. Job offers are subject to a pre-employment drug screen, a criminal background check, and a motor vehicle record review. Asplundh has no blanket policy against hiring people with records — hiring decisions rest heavily with local management and depend on work ethic, experience, and the nature of the conviction. The main limitation is driving: trimmer and crew roles that require a CDL or operating company equipment demand a clean driving record.

Hiring by Position

Position	Felon Friendly?	Background Check	Notes
Groundperson / Ground Crew	Yes	Yes — criminal check plus drug screen	Entry-level: feeding chippers, hauling brush, ground support. No experience needed; paid training.
Tree Trimmer (no CDL)	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal check plus drug screen	Clearing vegetation from power lines. Paid on-the-job training; strong advancement path.
Trimmer / Crew Member (CDL required)	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal, MVR, plus drug screen	Requires a valid CDL and a clean driving record. DUIs are a significant obstacle.
Foreman / General Foreman	Case-by-case	Yes — comprehensive check plus MVR	Leading a line-clearance crew. Usually filled by internal promotion from trimmer roles.
Equipment Operator	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal, MVR, plus drug screen	Running bucket trucks, chippers, and heavy equipment. Clean driving record required.

Asplundh Hiring Practices

Asplundh Tree Expert has been clearing vegetation away from power lines since 1928 and is one of the largest utility vegetation management companies in the country, with roughly 35,000 employees. The privately held, family-owned firm posts thousands of openings a year and hires ground crews continuously, offering entry-level groundperson and trimmer roles with no experience required, paid on-the-job training, and weekly pay. All job offers are subject to a pre-employment drug screen, a criminal background check, and a motor vehicle record review. Asplundh has no blanket policy barring people with records; current and former employees report that hiring decisions rest heavily with local crew leaders and general foremen and depend on work ethic, experience, and the specific conviction. The main hurdle is driving-related: any role requiring a CDL or operating company equipment demands a clean motor vehicle record, so DUIs and driving-related felonies are a larger barrier than many other offenses.

Tips for Getting Hired

Apply online at careers.asplundh.com. Start with groundperson roles — they require no experience, include paid training, and are the most accessible entry point. Be prepared to pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal check, and motor vehicle record review after an offer. Because so much hiring discretion sits with local foremen, connecting directly with a nearby crew and showing up ready for hard, outdoor physical work goes a long way. Emphasize reliability and any tree, forestry, landscaping, or heavy-equipment experience. If your record is driving-related, focus on non-CDL ground roles first; once you rebuild a clean driving record, CDL trimmer and equipment-operator positions pay significantly more.

Application Tips for People with Records

1.Apply online at careers.asplundh.com and start with entry-level groundperson roles.
2.Groundperson positions require no experience and include paid on-the-job training with weekly pay.
3.Expect a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and MVR review after an offer.
4.Local foremen hold real hiring discretion — connecting directly with a nearby crew helps.
5.If your record is driving-related, target non-CDL ground roles first.
6.Highlight reliability and any tree, forestry, landscaping, or heavy-equipment experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Asplundh hire felons?: Yes, Asplundh hires some people with felony records, especially for entry-level groundperson and trimmer roles. There is no blanket ban; local management has real discretion and weighs work ethic, experience, and the nature of the conviction.
Does Asplundh do background checks?: Yes. Job offers are subject to a criminal background check, plus a pre-employment drug screen and a motor vehicle record review for roles that involve driving.
Does Asplundh drug test?: Yes. Asplundh requires a pre-employment drug screen once an offer is made, and safety-sensitive line-clearance work may involve additional testing during employment.
Do you need experience to work at Asplundh?: No. Entry-level groundperson roles require no experience and come with paid on-the-job training and weekly pay, making Asplundh an accessible reentry option.
What does Asplundh do?: Asplundh is a utility vegetation management company that clears trees and brush away from power lines for electric utilities, along with services for railroads, pipelines, and municipalities.

Take Action — Direct Links

Asplundh Careers
Search and apply for groundperson, trimmer, and equipment operator positions at Asplundh.
Asplundh — Job Opportunities
Overview of career paths and openings across Asplundh's crews and divisions.
National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Company hiring policies change frequently and may vary by location, franchise, or position. Always confirm the current policy with the hiring manager or HR representative. A background check does not automatically disqualify you — you have rights under the EEOC guidelines and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).