Ecological Restoration Crew Leader

Quercus Land Stewardship Services seeks an Ecological Restoration Crew Leader in Black Earth, WI. The role involves leading natural area stewardship projects, ensuring crew safety, and conducting restoration activities such as invasive weed treatments and tree planting. Responsibilities include crew management, communication with clients, and operating various equipment. Candidates must have wildland firefighter training and experience with prescribed burns. Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Job Background:

The Land Stewardship Crew Leader,will work out of both company shop locations depending on season, project needs, and crew structure, which are located in Black Earth and Deforest, Wisconsin. They will lead and conduct natural area stewardship work on properties throughout southwest and south-central Wisconsin.Their priority job role is learning and understanding site specific long term goals, executing onsite daily objectives for the crew based on job forms and maps provided by the project manager, They are responsible for onsite training as needed and keeping crew members safe.

Restoration activities through the spring and summer months include prescribed burning, invasive weed treatments (hand-pulling, herbicide application, mowing) and installing native trees, shrubs, and plants. Preform land stewardship work at solar fields and/or other energy company properties throughout Southwest WI, Eastern IA, and Northwest IL. In the fall and winter months restoration activities focus on invasive brush and tree removal using chainsaws and occasionally utilizing bobcat and tractor graphing and/winching.

See our website for the full job description details or find us on Facebook for more info on the company and positions: https://quercuslandstewardship.com/

Responsibilities:
• Ensure the safety of the crew at all times.
• Foster teamwork, cooperation, and professionalism among crew members.
• Communicate effectively with clients, the general public, and other Quercus staff.
• Be proficient in the duties of the Land Stewardship Technician.
• Organize and direct the activities of a crew of 2 to 5 Land Stewardship Technicians.
• Obtain job requirements from the Project Manager and communicate them to the crew.
• Identify job hazards and conduct safety briefings.
• Develop and carry out a plan for completing the job within the time allowed and with the resources available.
• Adapt the job plan as necessary in response to changes in job conditions or other factors.
• Support and work with the crew as needed to complete the job.
• Operate off-road vehicles including 4-wheel drive truck, compact tractor, skidsteer, ATV.
• Operation of commercial riding mowers, string trimmers, and herbicide spraying equipment
• Recognize equipment maintenance and repair needs, resolve or communicate to Shop Manager.
• Lead After Action Reviews to address safety issues, lessons learned
• Document daily activities on time sheets and job reports.
• Create or mark up maps and aerial photos to illustrate work completed .
• Identify potential additional or followup work.
• Be available for occasional overnight travel at company’s expense (up to 5 nights/month in some seasons)

Qualifications:
• Completed wildland firefighter training (minimum S-130/190, S131/S133*) or able/willing to after starting
• Experience on at least 10 prescribed burns
• Completed Level 1 chain saw safety training: FISTA, Game of Logging, USFS, or equivalent.
• Certified as a Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator, or ability to become certified within 30 days. in categories 5.0, 6.0, and 2.0
• Hold a valid driver's license and drive company vehicles to and from job sites and able to obtain a DOT certification within 60 days of hire
• Obtain CPR/First aid certification
• Held leadership roles in similar type of work

Hours and availability

Work hours are generally35-45hours per week. 9X9 biweekly schedule, (one week work 5 days, and other week in the bi-weekly schedule work 4 days, giving a built in off-day).

All Full time restoration staff must have flexibility March-April to work weekends and long days, must be open to inconsistent end times as mopping up a burn can not be predicted and crews must stay until they are relieved by burn bosses. We ask during this time to not take long scheduled time off as this is our most time sensitive part of the year and are flexible with time off all other seasons. Appointments and occasional one day or weekends should be requested ASAP.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Benefits:
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:
• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:
• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:
• Leadership: 1 year (Required)
• Communication skills: 1 year (Required)
• Plant Identification: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:
• level one chain saw safety training (Required)
• CPR Certification (Required)
• Certified WI pesticide applicator license (Required)
• Wildland fire certification (S130, S190, L180, S131/S133) (Required)

Ability to Commute:
• Black Earth, WI 53515 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
• Black Earth, WI 53515: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person