Ecological Field Crew Lead

Overview: RES is the nation’s largest and most experienced provider of ecological restoration and water resource solutions. To date, we have restored over 328 stream miles, 58,024 wetland acres, and rehabilitated, preserved, and/or managed over 15,000 acres of special-status species habitats. RES operations include planting over 17,400,000 restorative trees and reducing over 267 tons of polluting nutrients. RES navigates and streamlines the environmental permitting process with solutions that balance economic development and ecological sustainability through the establishment of mitigation/conservation banks, permittee responsible turnkey mitigation, and corporate social responsibility projects.

RES is looking for applicants with prior leadership experience in the Ecological Restoration field. The job will consist of 100% field work with the primary job function of leading crews in environmental restoration work. Midwest Operations are expanding, quickly providing advancement opportunity for exceptional performance.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee invasive brush clearing, tree felling, planting, seeding, erosion, and sediment control installation
• Maintenance of natural areas through herbicide application and equipment operation
• Job planning, coordination and set-up including material purchasing and scheduling
• Ability to accurately communicate information between the operations manager and field crew
• Maintain organized notes and records for time keeping, work logs, and planting purposes
• Ability to read, follow, and execute planting plans and Erosion & Sediment controls plans
• At times, direct temporary labor from an outside third-party
• Communicate status of projects to supervisors and project managers
• Work will require over 40 hours per week. Some weekend work required during peak periods. Some travel with overnight stays of 2-6 night periods may be required for some job sites.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 2 or more years of experience in leading a crew working on natural resource or water resource infrastructure projects
• 2 or more years working in field operations or civil construction
• Prior experience performing native seed and plant installation, including erosion control measures
• Prior experience spraying herbicide and the ability to study for and pass a test to become a licensed IL or IN Pesticide Applicator Pesticide applicator license within 3 months
• Solid understanding of basic ecological restoration techniques
• Ability to travel from home location up to 75% of the time
• Valid driver’s license required including prior experience driving large pick-up trucks and hauling trailers

Preferred:

• 4 or more years performing native seed and plant installation, including erosion control measures or comparable field experience in land development, stormwater management or ecological restoration.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture, or related field
• Excellent native plant ID, including winter woody plant identification
• Experience with repair and maintenance of small engines and equipment
• Experience operating excavation equipment
• CDL License or the ability to obtain within 6 months
• Knowledge and leadership to further train crew members in restoration and maintenance techniques

Physical Requirements:

Willing and able to perform and comply with the following items:

• Strict adherence to safety protocols, including proper PPE requirements
• Ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work outside in harsh and under adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, and exposure to insects including ticks and mosquitoes. Exposure to poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
• Ability to walk long distances
• Ability to undertake field work that includes, operating ATVs, tractors, skid steers, and trucks with trailers
• Ability to safely operate chainsaws and gas-powered brush cutters & augers

VEVRAA Federal Contractor
RES is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.