Solar Vegetation Field Coordinator (FT, Seasonal)

Employment Type

Full-time seasonal position. Work period is approximately May 1st and October 31st, 2025, may vary based on work availability and weather conditions. Typically four 10-hour days/week, all work occurs Monday-Friday. Exact hours may be influenced by adverse weather conditions. Occasional overnight trips are expected and lodging will be provided. Up to four (4) positions available.

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 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 four (4) Solar Vegetation Field Coordinators to work at utility solar field sites throughout Wisconsin. They will work both independently and in crews of two depending on the project tasks and workload each day.

The Field Coordinator positions will be highly variable and flexible throughout the season. Their primary role will be to lead and perform on-the-ground maintenance and monitoring of solar field vegetation, with assorted tasks including but not limited to: mowing, trimming, surveying, and weed spraying. They will also be responsible for shuttling equipment to and from sites and monitoring work progress by seasonal Solar Vegetation Specialists. They will report to and coordinate their work with guidance from the Solar Region Managers and Solar Division Manager. Their expertise in ecological principles and leadership skills will ensure the successful planning and completion of assigned fieldwork within a safety-focused environment.

The Field Coordinators will begin most of their work days by meeting at either of the two Quercus offices in Deforest and Black Earth, WI depending on their site assignments or location of work equipment. They will operate throughout their work day from an assigned work truck. They will spend a significant amount of their season in the truck driving to the solar sites in order to perform fieldwork and assist Solar Vegetation Specialists needs or inquiries. Occasional overnight trips to further away sites are expected and lodging will be provided. It will also occasionally be necessary for a Field Coordinator to drive their personal vehicle directly to and from a solar site for personal or logistical reasons. In such circumstances, we may provide mileage reimbursement based on their commute distance versus a regular distance commute to a shop.

Vegetation management activities for the Field Coordinators will include, but are not limited to: the operation of large mowing machines, ATVs, string trimmers, and herbicide spraying equipment among solar panel arrays, along security fences, and in open areas. All crew members will receive training in safe and proper use of all job-related equipment. The Field Coordinators are expected to have a proven working knowledge of ecological restoration concepts and native and invasive plant identification, and may have opportunities to receive additional training on these topics.

Locations

Quercus will be servicing nine (9) utility-scale solar fields in 2025. Sites are likely to be divided into regions and/or subregions, with each Field Coordinator being assigned to a particular subset of sites for the duration of the season. They may be required to occasionally perform work in other regions to assist with varying workloads. Final regional configurations are yet to be determined, but will be similar to the following:

Northeast Region

Southwest Region

North Subregion

South Subregion

• Nekoosa
• Beloit
• Wautoma
• Brodhead
• Edgerton

East Subregion

West Subregion

• Beaver Dam
• Cassville
• Lomira
• Lone Rock

Job Requirements

Work safely at all times

Must be at least 18 years old

Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Conversational English skills required

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 and learn specific invasive and native prairie plants

Apply knowledge of ecological restoration theories, practices, and skills

Use maps, aerial photos, portable GPS units, and OnX app to perform surveys and locate 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

Help make day-to-day project decisions with assistance from supervisors

Lead, support, and work alongside solar crew members as needed to complete tasks

Adapt the job plan as necessary in response to changes in job conditions or other factors

Operate off-road vehicles including 4-wheel drive truck, compact tractor, Bobcat skidsteer, commercial riding mower, ATV

Operate a truck with loaded trailer on roadways

Recognize equipment maintenance and repair needs, resolve or communicate to supervisors

Specific Job Duties

Solar Vegetation Field Coordinators 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 utility and community-scale solar field sites. We estimate that their time will be divided roughly as follows:

Safe Truck Operation and Trailering (Daily)

Safely haul personnel and equipment to and from solar sites using 4-wheel drive truck and 20’ trailers

Employ defensive driving techniques at all times while operating truck and trailer

45 to 65% - Trimming & Mowing

Use weed trimming equipment to avoid interference of vegetation with solar infrastructure and fences

Safely operate Bobcat skid-steer, compact tractor, and commercial riding mowers in pollinator plantings, open areas, and among solar panels

10 to 25% - Herbicide Application

• Accurately apply herbicides via riding equipment or backpack sprayer to control invasive species, woodies, and vegetation interfering with solar infrastructure
• Mix herbicide solutions to proper concentrations
• Dispense herbicide mixtures to application equipment
• Clean herbicide containers and application equipment
• Document amounts of herbicides used

5-15% - Equipment Maintenance and Work Reporting

• Perform basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of Quercus equipment
• Track work progress, report issues, and concerns to supervisors
• Assist with additional equipment shuttling as needed

5-10% - Surveys & Monitoring

Perform routine monitoring for invasive and problematic weeds at utility solar fields

Navigate and mark weed locations using ATV, maps, and GPS software

Perform systematic wildlife surveys using GPS software at assigned sites once per season

• 5% - Meetings, Trainings, and Miscellaneous Tasks
• Participate as part of the Quercus staff as assigned by supervisors

Certifications and Qualifications for the Position

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)

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, or related field, or trained in ecology

restoration practices (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

$22 per hour, depending on qualifications/experience

3 paid holidays, 8 hrs each (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day)

Flexible unpaid time off as workload permits

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to:

Kailey Goethe, OR mail to 4640 Selje Rd, Deforest WI 53532

Applications will be considered as they are received.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 4x10
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• De Forest, WI 53532 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• De Forest, WI 53532: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22