Ready to join the Bluestem team?
Are you looking to work in the field of Ecological Restoration with a young, growing company? Bluestem may be the company for you! Here at Bluestem, individuals learn, grow, and perform with a purpose.
WHO YOU ARE: An individual interested in land conservation, enthusiastic about ecological restoration and preserving the environment, with a strong work ethic and excitement to work in nature. A critical thinker eager to learn new plants and techniques, with a positive attitude to encourage and collaborate with teammates.
WHAT WE DO: Bluestem works in a variety of environments, including prairies, woodlands, wetlands, sedge meadows, open spaces, conservation easements, and detention/retention basins. We believe that strong partnerships and relationships are key to making a lasting impact on habitat restoration and the protection of natural areas..
Review the current open positions below, then send in your resume to [email protected] with your desired position in the subject line.
Restoration Crew Lead
THE JOB: Restoration Crew Leads are responsible for managing and overseeing crew members conducting ecological restoration activities in addition to performing Restoration Tech activities. The crew lead is responsible for:
- Ensuring Crew Safety.
- Ensuring Crew follow company policies.
- Providing motivation and mentorship to crew members.
- Executing site goals/tasks efficiently and on time.
- Adherence to best practices in Restoration Ecology.
- Communicating goals, timelines, and daily tasks to crew members.
- Ensuring their crews equipment and tools are maintained.
- Filing daily job reports.
- Adapting plans as needed based on site conditions and project requirements.
BENEFITS/WAGES:
- $24.00-$25.00/HR after verification of Crew Lead Requirements.
- 6 PTO days available immediately, 12 PTO days after 1 year.
- 401(K) w/ employer match after 1 year.
- Work Boot Stipend ($150) after 1 year.
- Health/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance & Flexible Spending Account after 90 days.
- Paid training, certifications, and educational opportunities.
- Uniforms & PPE provided – Paid Job Travel in company vehicles.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong leadership skills and ability to direct crew members.
- Ability to work within a team setting.
- Ability to follow verbal and written direction.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Interest in land management techniques that restore and protect critical ecosystems.
- Experience operating UTVs/ATVs, trucks with trailers, and restoration equipment (chainsaws, brush saws, herbicide backpacks, tractors/mowers, etc.).
- S130/190 or Chicago Wilderness Burn Certification
- Ability to read and understand maps.
- Illinois Pesticide Applicator/Operator License.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Able to use e-mail and phone to communicate with crew leads/crew members/supervisors.
- Strong understanding of ecological restoration techniques and Midwest plant species.
- 1 – 2 years of field experience in ecological restoration or a similar field.
- Functional understanding of basic units of measurement (inches, feet, ounces, pounds etc.)
- Ability to file daily job reports and logs.
PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
- CPR/First Aid Certification.
- OSHA 10-Hour Certification.
- Heavy Equipment Operator Experience (Skid steers, Tractors, etc.)
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to walk long distances for up to 8 hours.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (rain, wind, snow, heat, humidity, etc.).
- Ability to navigate uneven and unstable terrain.
- Ability to lift 50lbs regularly.
- Ability to bend, stoop, and perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods.
- Ability to safely work with and near EPA approved herbicides.
- Ability to work around environmental hazards, including stinging insects, poison ivy, and wild parsnip.
- Ability to work in wetland habitats that may require hip and chest waders to navigate.
- Ability to walk long distances and distinguish colors visually.
- Ability to carry gear/equipment/backpacks up to 50lbs for up to 8 hours.
- Ability to work in prescribed fire conditions (exposure to heat, smoke, ash, and debris).
SCHEDULE:
- Start time is 7:00 A.M and occasionally 6:00 A.M.
- Typical workdays: 8-10 hours, with occasional 12-hour days as required.
- Weekend work: Occasionally required, 1-2 times per month during peak seasons and prescribed burn season.
Restoration Technician
THE JOB: Technicians are responsible for performing work such as invasive species control, planting, erosion control, grading, equipment operation, general yard/equipment maintenance, and prescribed burns. Bluestem provides on-the-job training, certifications, and educational opportunities.
BENEFITS/WAGES:
- $18-$20/HR, $22/HR after verification or completion of level 1 tech training requirements.
- 6 PTO days available immediately, 12 PTO days after 1 year.
- 401(K) w/ employer match after 1 year.
- Work Boot Stipend ($150) after 1 year.
- Health/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance & Flexible Spending Account after 90 days.
- Paid training, certifications, and educational opportunities.
- Uniforms & PPE provided
- Paid Job Travel in company vehicles.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to work within a team setting.
- Ability to follow verbal and written direction.
- Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn plant identification.
- Interest in land management techniques that restore and protect critical ecosystems.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Able to use e-mail and phone to communicate with crew leads/supervisors.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Basic understanding of ecological restoration techniques and Midwest plant species (including volunteer experience).
- 6 months – 2 years of field experience in ecological restoration or a similar field.
- Functional understanding of basic units of measurement (inches, feet, ounces, pounds etc.)
- Ability to read and understand maps.
- Illinois Pesticide Applicator/Operator License.
- S130/190 or Chicago Wilderness Burn Certification.
- Experience operating UTVs/ATVs, trucks with trailers, and restoration equipment (chainsaws, brush saws, herbicide backpacks, tractors/mowers, etc.).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to walk long distances for up to 8 hours.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (rain, wind, snow, heat, humidity, etc.).
- Ability to navigate uneven and unstable terrain.
- Ability to lift 50lbs regularly.
- Ability to bend, stoop, and perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods.
- Ability to safely work with and near EPA approved herbicides.
- Ability to work around environmental hazards, including stinging insects, poison ivy, and wild parsnip.
- Ability to work in wetland habitats that may require hip and chest waders to navigate.
- Ability to walk long distances and distinguish colors visually.
- Ability to carry gear/equipment/backpacks up to 50lbs for up to 8 hours.
- Ability to work in prescribed fire conditions (exposure to heat, smoke, ash, and debris).
SCHEDULE:
- Start time is 7:00 A.M and occasionally 6:00 A.M.
- Typical workdays: 8-10 hours, with occasional 12-hour days as required.
- Weekend work: Occasionally required, 1-2 times per month during peak seasons and prescribed burn season.
Seasonal Technician
THE JOB: Seasonal Technicians are responsible for performing work including invasive species control, planting, erosion control, grading, equipment operation, general yard/equipment maintenance, and prescribed burns. Bluestem provides on-the-job training, certification, and educational opportunities.
BENEFITS/WAGES:
- $15-$17/HR
- Health/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance & Flexible Spending Account after 90 days.
- Paid training, certifications, and educational opportunities.
- Uniforms & PPE provided – Paid Job Travel in company vehicles.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to work within a team setting.
- Ability to follow oral and written direction.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Access to e-mail and ability to use a phone to communicate with crew leads/supervisors.
- Interest and willingness to learn and apply land management techniques that restore, steward, and protect critical ecosystems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Understanding of basic ecological restoration techniques & basic Midwest plant knowledge, including through volunteer experience and/or course work.
- Knowledge of equipment operation/maintenance (small engines, brush saws, tractors/mowers etc.)
- Attention to detail and willingness to learn new plant ID.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work outdoors under adverse weather conditions (this includes rain, wind, snow, sleet, hot, cold, humid, and dry environmental conditions).
- Ability to navigate uneven and unstable terrain.
- Ability to lift 50lbs on a continual basis.
- Ability to bend and stoop on a continual basis.
- Ability to safely work with and near EPA approved herbicides.
- Ability to work around stinging insects and hazardous plants such as bees, poison ivy, wild parsnip, and other environmental hazards.
- Ability to work in wetland habitats that may require hip and chest waders to navigate
- Ability to walk long distances.
- Ability to see long and short distances and distinguish color visually.
- Ability to carry gear/equipment/backpacks up to 50lbs for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to work in prescribed fire conditions that expose you to heat, smoke, ash, and other burned debris.
SCHEDULE:
- Start Date TBC - May 2025
- Start time is 7:00 A.M and occasionally 6:00 A.M.
- An average day is 8-10 hours. 12-hour days are sometimes necessary.
- Weekend work occasionally required. (1 – 2 times per month during peak seasons and prescribed burn season).
Esta buscando una oportunidad para trabajar en el campo restaurando ecosistemas? Ven a trabajar en Bluestem! Acá, los trabajadores crecen, aprenden y ejecutan con intención.
QUIEN BUSCAMOS: Buscamos gente con interés en la conservación de las tierras. Entusiasmada sobre la restauración ecológico, preservación del medio ambiente y/o experiencia en Landscaping tradicional. Debe contar con una fuerte ética del trabajo. Pensador crítico con interés en aprender nuevas técnicas y conocer las plantas. Cuenta con actitud positive para empoderar y animar a los otros miembros del cuadrillo.
QUIEN SOMOS: Bluestem trabaja en una variedad de espacios verdes, incluyendo pampas, humedales, bosques, sabanas, cuencas y mas. Creemos profundamente que las relaciones son clave para tener un impacto.
LA CARGA: Los técnicos son responsables para controlar plantas invasivas, plantar, control de erosión, explanación/nivelación, y la operación/mantención del equipo (desbrozadora, motosierra, cortacésped, tractor). Bluestem ofrece entrenamiento pagado, certificaciones y otras oportunidades educacionales.
Los candidatos deben tener una fuerte ética de trabajo, funcionar bien tanto en equipo como en tareas individuales y manejar pequeñas herramientas eléctricas (tractores, RTV, minicargadoras, etc.). Los técnicos trabajaran en la region de Chicago y el sudeste de Wisconsin, presentándose en Marengo, IL.
BENEFICIOS:
- $18-$20 la hora a comenzar, $22+ tras la verificacion o cumplimiento de los requerimientos del técnico nivel 1..
- 6 dias de tiempo libre pagado disponible al inmediato, 12 dias después de haber cumplido un año de trabajo.
- Pensión (401(K) después de haber cumplido un año de trabajo.
- Estipendio para las Botas de Seguridad ($150) después de haber cumplido un año de trabajo.
- Elegible para Seguro medico/visual/dental/vida mas opcion para una cuenta de FSA tras cumplir 90 dias de trabajo.
- Entrenamiento pagado, certificaciones y otras oportunidades educacionales.
- Uniformes y Equipo de protección personal provecido por la empresa
- Movilización al sitio de trabajo pagado i en vehículos de la empresa.
CALIFICACIONES:
- Capacidad para trabajar en equipo.
- Capacidad a seguir las direcciones verbales o escritas.
- Fuerte atención a detalles y interés a aprender la identificación de las plantas/especies.
- interés en las técnicas de gestión del ecosistema para la restauración de ecosistemas críticas.
- Licencia de conducer valida
- Capacidad a usar el telefono/correo electronico a comunicarse con supervisor/jefe de cuadrillo.
HORARIO:
- Entra a las 7:00 A.M – de occasion mas temprano a las 6:00 A.M.
- El dia laboral tipico dura 8-10 hours, y hasta 12-hour days cuando se requiere.
- Fines de semana: As veces se require, el trabajo en los sábados, 1-2 veces por mes durante las temporadas peak.
Contratando desde Marzo 2025 - Llama por más detailes