Seasonal Ecological Land Restoration Specialist

Seasonal Land Restoration Specialist 

About Quercus

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 employs 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!

We are 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.

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.

About the Position

The Seasonal Land Restoration Specialist  located in Black Earth and/or Deforest, Wisconsin, will learn to conduct natural area stewardship work on properties throughout southwest and south-central Wisconsin.

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. In the fall and winter months restoration activities focus on invasive brush and tree removal. Training will be provided in all aspects of the job including ecological restoration concepts, native and invasive plant identification, and safe and proper use of herbicide application equipment, mowers, and power tools. Training is available to obtain a Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator’s License and Basic Chainsaw Safety certification.

Summer Seasonal Specific Work

During the spring and summer months, controlling invasive and undesirable plant species primarily involves the targeted application of herbicides. Teams of 2-4 individuals will systematically work through designated areas, identifying and treating unwanted herbaceous plants using precise spot application techniques. This method utilizes backpack sprayers containing the herbicide solution. The specific herbicide and its concentration will vary depending on the site's unique requirements and objectives. In certain situations, mechanical methods such as brush/grass cutters or hand pulling may be employed. Additionally, at specific times of the year, teams may utilize cut and treat methods, which involve the strategic cutting of targeted plants followed by the immediate application of herbicide to the cut surfaces. This technique is often used in conjunction with chainsaws or brushcutters. Another technique that may be used is basal bark application, where herbicide is applied to the lower portion of a plant's stem or trunk.

Overall, the team will employ a variety of techniques depending on the specific conditions and requirements of each site, with the goal of effectively controlling invasive plant species while minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment.

Scheduling Work hours are generally 35-40+ hours per week. Seasonal role May through August or September. Some seasonal may be evaluated for full time permanent status end of summer. 

Requirements for All Quercus Employees

• Treat everyone with Respect
• Be conscientious to do the best work for the company and for the clients and ecosystems that we serve
• Be Professional – demonstrating the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well
• Work safely at all times
• Work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers
• Demonstrate good decision making and time management when working independently
• Learn to identify invasive and native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
• Perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, full sun
• Work in difficult environments including rough terrain, wet ground, thick brush, brambles, and insects.
• Perform basic maintenance and field repairs on equipment
• Communicate status of projects to Crew Leader
• Be available for occasional overnight travel at company’s expense (up to 5 nights/month in some seasons)

Land Stewardship Specialist (Seasonal) - Invasive Species Control

Note: (The required skills or certifications do not necessarily need to be met prior to hire, Quercus will train or help certify a candidate that is willing to learn and is passionate about land conservation efforts. The required skills are needed to continue to to be successful at Quercus and develop the candidate into a restoration specialist.)

Qualifications

• Certified as a Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator, or ability to become certified within 30 days.
• Note: Pesticide applicator training materials are paid for by Quercus and time is provided to the employee to take the tests.

Duties

• Apply herbicides by cut stump, basal bark, and spot spray application
• Coordinate with other crew members to achieve thorough coverage of the treatment area
• Document amount of herbicide used
• Perform basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of spray equipment
• Mix herbicide solutions to proper concentrations
• Dispense herbicide mixtures to application equipment
• Clean herbicide containers and application equipment

Land Stewardship Specialist (Seasonal) - Tree and Brush Removal

Note: this may not be a requirement for the summer seasonal work, but if a candidate is interested in future full time permanent openings, this certification is required.

Qualifications

• Complete Level 1 chain saw safety training: FISTA, Game of Logging, USFS, or equivalent at the company’s expense.

Duties

• Cut trees and brush using hand tools, power brush saw, and chain saw
• Fell trees using directional felling techniques
• Move cut material by hand or by skidding or grappling using a tractor or skidsteer
• Pile cut material and burn brush piles
• Operate a wood chipper

Compensation

• Starting Wage: $17.50+/hr based on previous experience and qualification
• Overtime Pay: 1.5 hr rate over 40 hrs/wk and 5 hours OT built into the schedule
• Paid Lunch: 0.5 hrs per day (when working at least 6 hours)
• Volunteer PTO: 8 hrs/yr  paid to volunteer at local organization
• Paid Holidays
• Professional Development paid time - PAID hours to complete All required certification
• All necessary training and personal protective equipment
• Insurance benefits:
  • Employee voluntary elected insurance which include: Accident Coverage, Disability Coverage, Hospital Confinement, Critical Illness, Dental, and Cancer Protection Coverage. Eligible for enrollment 90 days after first day of employment

Successful seasonal employees will be considered for full time permanent Land Stewardship Technician positions as they become available.

To apply, send Application for Employment form, letter of interest, and a resume to Kaley Lee, kaleylee@quercus-ls.com OR mail to 4681 County Road JJ, Black Earth, WI 53515