Restoration Technician – Resource Environmental Solutions LLC – Elgin, IL

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.

The primary function of the Restoration Technician is to complete ecological restoration work in the field. This includes all aspects of restoration work such as planting, seeding, erosion control methods, brush cutting, prescribed burns, light equipment operation, herbicide application to control invasive species, and various other tasks.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS JOB IS LOCATED IN HUNTLEY, IL.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare soil for planting seeds, trees, and plant plugs by the following methods: Apply herbicide to areas for planting/seeding; Scarification of soil by hand or with tractor; and mowing tall vegetation.
• Sow native plant seed install native plant plugs, trees and shrubs according to instructions and planned design of landscaped area.
• Implements erosion control methods such as, but not limited to: Straw mulching; Erosion blanket; Silt fencing.
• Cut, stack and chip or burn trees and brush.
• Operate company equipment (Tractors, ATVs, skid-steers, chainsaws, brush saws, etc.).
• Perform maintenance and field repairs on equipment.
• At times, direct temporary labor from an outside third party.
• Complete project and administrative paperwork in a timely manner.
• Communicate status of projects to supervisors and project managers.
• Water seeded areas, trees, and plants.
• Trail construction.
• Maintain natural areas by: Hand pulling weed species; Spot herbicide weed species; Mowing; and Prescribed burning.
• Cross train with Nursery with daily operations as needed, including: Seed Collection and Seed Cleaning etc.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High School degree or equivalent
• 1 or more years working in naturtal resources field operations
• Solid understanding of basic ecological restoration techniques.
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions to conduct ecological restoration.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Valid driver’s license
• Pesticide License within 30 days of hire (in relevant state(s) and categories)
• Ability to travel from home location up to 75% of the time
• Ability to attain Federal Medical Card for DOT driving is preferred but not required for position

Physical Requirements:

The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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

• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk and hear.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequent exposure to outside weather conditions.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat, and vibration.
• Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts.
• The employee is expected to be able to conduct field work that may require walking up or down steep grades or on uneven ground, operating in inclement, not dangerous, weather conditions, exposure to direct sun and other weather, and may be in areas occupied by wild or domestic animals. Exposure to thorny or poisonous plant materials is not uncommon in the field. The employee may be requested to wade or participate in work conducted on open water.

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.