Natural Resources - Ecological Restoration Technician

Do you love to be outdoors, in the woods, interacting with nature? Ed’s Buckthorn Control is seeking help from people who want to save the natural landscape as much as we do!

See our Company Video at edsbuckthorn.com

Based in Minnetonka, MN

Start Date: ASAP

Hours: Weekday work hours, 4 x approximately 10 hour shifts depending on weather and sunrise/sunset, currently 7:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday, but if environmental conditions prevent us from working one of those days, then we work Friday to make up for it. Some overtime may sometimes be expected. Some days we are done early, and some days we need to stay a little longer to finish the job.

Starting Pay: 18-21/hr, depending on experience

General Duties

We’re seeking full-time restoration technicians to work out of our Minnetonka headquarters, working on large and small scale buckthorn removal/native habitat restoration projects. Work includes (but not limited to): control of invasive species, maintaining removal areas, and installing native plants/seed on residential and municipal properties. Mainly: cutting and treating buckthorn with herbicide; managing brush; spraying weeds with backpack sprayers; pulling weeds; planting, mulching, watering, and caging trees, shrubs, and plugs; seeding; driving an ATV; operating chainsaw; pruning; operating brush saw; driving truck and trailer; and recordkeeping. W2 basis, paid every other Friday.

Required Qualifications

Must care about protecting native plants

Must be eligible to work in the United States

Must be 18 years old

Must have a clean driving record and be able to obtain a DOT medical card (requires physical exam by a doctor)

Must be capable and eager to learn to identify plant species year round, including shrubs and trees in winter (we will train you)

Must have excellent vision (corrective lenses are okay, but Rx glasses do not count for protective eyewear)

Must be able to learn pesticide applicator license material and acquire license before starting (we provide the books and pay all license fees)

Must be respectful to teammates, bosses, customers, and the land, etc.

Must be able to work outdoors during varying weather conditions (heat/cold/rain)

Must be able to work in a wide range of field conditions (steep terrain, mosquitoes, poison ivy, snow, thorns, wasps)

Must be able to carry moderate amounts of weight uphill and downhill (40 lbs) continuously

Must be willing and eager to learn new skills

Must be punctual and able to navigate effectively

Must be good with maps and orienteering with GPS

Must be tech savvy to make/mark maps and write records

Must be adept at working alone and with a team

Must be able to maintain attention to detail in repetitive work

Must be able to lift and carry brush repeatedly with excellent body mechanics

Must be able to work on hands and knees, and stand/kneel repeatedly

Must have flexibility and access to reliable transportation to get job sites

Must be able to think quickly for first aid and spill management

Must have high school diploma or equivalent

Must be willing and able to learn to operate chainsaws effectively and safely

Must have sturdy work boots, gloves, tough pants and shirts for all kinds of environmental conditions

Other Desired Qualifications:

Pesticide applicator license Categories A, E, & J

Experience spot spraying herbicide with backpack sprayer

Knowledge of common Minnesota native plants and weeds

General natural resources knowledge

Experience working in native habitat restoration, and/or tree care

Ability to identify different native and non-native tree species

Proficiency designing planting plans

Experience operating chain saws safely and effectively

Experience driving a pickup truck and trailer, especially in reverse

Experience operating heavy equipment, such as a Dingo, articulating wheel loader, or Bobcat-style loader

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 45 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Referral program

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Tips

Application Question(s):

• What makes you interested and suitable for our restoration team?
• Are you willing to obtain your pesticide applicator license before your first day of work? (We provide the study materials and pay for your test/license fees. You study on your own. Answer YES if you already have your license.)
• We use our personal smartphones for company communication and clocking in and out. Do you have your own smartphone and the tech-savviness to use it?
• Are you healthy and able to obtain a DOT medical certificate?

Experience:

• native habitat restoration: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• English fluently (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License, and clean driving record? (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Minnetonka, MN: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person