Full-time seasonal (between May 1st and October 31st, 2024). Four 8-10 hour days week, all work occurs Monday-Friday. Exact hours may be influenced by adverse weather conditions. Several positions are available. Snowbirds apply!
Founded in 2003, Quercus Land Stewardship Services offers high-quality ecological restoration services throughout southern Wisconsin and beyond. We are committed to improving the ecological health of our lands and waters by offering services that strengthen the connections among local plant, animal, and human communities.
Quercus takes pride in running a safe operation. Protecting the health and safety of our workers, our customers, and the community is our top priority. We employ people with a strong work ethic who love the outdoors. If you value teamwork and collaboration, and continuously improving your skills and capabilities, you’ll fit right in!
Quercus is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We value diversity in our workforce just as we value diversity on the land, for many of the same reasons. A range of cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds gives us the variety of experiences and perspectives that make us stronger, more resilient, and better able to cope with the many challenges that come with doing our work. Women and people of color and diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
About the Position
We will be hiring several Solar Vegetation Specialists to work at utility-scale solar field sites throughout southern Wisconsin. They will work alone and/or with 1 or 2 other Solar Vegetation Specialists depending on site assignments. They will begin their work day by meeting at one of their assigned work sites most days, but may occasionally report to our shop in Deforest, WI for equipment shuttling, staff training, meetings, etc.
Solar field vegetation management activities include, but are not limited to: the operation of commercial riding mowers, string trimmers, and herbicide spraying equipment among utility solar arrays, along security fences, and in open areas. All crew members will receive training in safe and proper use of all job-related equipment. They may have opportunities to receive training in ecological restoration concepts and native and invasive plant identification.
Locations
Quercus will be servicing ten (10) utility-scale solar sites in 2024. Each crew will be assigned to one to three (1-3) sites for the season, but individual crew members may occasionally be asked to fill in at other sites as necessary and feasible. Sites are located near:
Beaver Dam
Brodhead
Cassville
Edgerton
Janesville
Jefferson
Lomira
Lone Rock
Wautoma
Wisconsin Rapids
Job Requirements
Work safely at all times
Must be at least 18 years old
Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs / pull 75 lbs
Perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods
Work outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat, rain, full sun
Work in difficult environmental conditions including rough terrain, wet ground, brambles, and insects
Identify or learn specific invasive and native prairie plants
Use maps and aerial photos, and portable GPS units, to determine location and work area boundaries
Maintain awareness of location and compass directions at work sites
Wear proper PPE as required for the job being performed at all times
Identify job hazards and be able to conduct safety briefings
Obtain daily job requirements from supervisors and communicate them to the crew
Develop and carry out a plan for completing tasks each day
Adapt the job plan as necessary in response to changes in job conditions or other factors
Lead, support, and work alongside crew members as needed to complete tasks
Operate off-road vehicles including commercial riding mower, ATV, 4-wheel drive truck
Operate a truck with loaded trailer on roadways
Recognize equipment maintenance and repair needs, resolve or communicate to supervisors
Job Duties
Solar Vegetation Specialists will be responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves and their crew at all times. They will foster teamwork, cooperation, and professionalism among crew members. They will communicate effectively with clients, the general public, and other Quercus staff, and report issues as they arise. The majority of their time will be spent performing vegetation management tasks at solar field sites. We anticipate that their time will be divided roughly as follows:
75% - Mowing and String Trimming
Safely operate commercial wide-area mowers among solar panels and in open areas
Perform string-trimming as needed around solar equipment and along fences (less than 5% total)
15% - Herbicide Application
Accurately apply herbicides via riding equipment or backpack sprayer to control invasive species
Mix herbicide solutions to proper concentrations
Dispense herbicide mixtures to application equipment
Clean herbicide containers and application equipment
Document amounts of herbicides used
5% - Equipment Maintenance and Work Reporting
Perform basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of Quercus equipment
Track work progress, report issues, and concerns to supervisors
5% - Meetings, Trainings, and Miscellaneous Tasks
Participate as part of the Quercus staff as assigned by supervisors
Qualifications
Previous experience working independently (required)
Ability to operate large (non-CDL) vehicles with trailers (required)
Previous experience leading small crews (preferred)
Previous experience operating and performing general maintenance of commercial mowers (preferred)
Prior certifications or ability to become certified within 30 days of hire:
10-hr OSHA training
Certified Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator (6.0)
Non-CDL DOT certification
Quercus will pay costs of all necessary training and certificates for employees working beyond their probationary period.
Compensation
Hourly Wage: $21-22/hr
Solar Vegetation Specialists will receive the following benefits (following a 30-day probationary period):
Paid Lunch
$1,000 bonus paid after successful completion of the work season
3 Paid holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day)
Professional Development paid to obtain necessary certifications
Ability to increase wage based on additional certification, experience, and longevity
To apply, send resume and/or brief letter of interest to:
Kaley Lee, kaleylee at quercus-ls.com OR see our website quercuslandstewardship dot com
Applications will be considered as they are received.
