Vegetation Management Crew Leader at MNL – Otsego, Minnesota

Ready to lead by example in the field? Do you have a strong background in vegetation management, a knack for guiding others, and practical mechanical awareness for equipment? Are you energized by hands-on work and helping your team stay safe, efficient, and effective? If so, this might be the role for you!

About Us

MNL is a full-service ecological restoration company dedicated to Healing the Earth. Our services include native seed and plant production, shoreline and wetland restoration, prescribed burns, conservation grazing, vegetation management, and ecological consulting. We also support solar and infrastructure projects with pollinator-friendly practices and land stewardship expertise.

Our Vegetation Management division is growing, and we rely on strong field leadership to ensure our work delivers both ecological impact and operational excellence.

The Opportunity

As a Vegetation Management Crew Leader, you’ll serve as the go-to field lead on restoration and invasive species management projects. While not a formal supervisor, you’ll help direct day-to-day work, provide guidance to your crew, and make sure tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and to project specs.

You’ll work closely with your Site Manager to bridge field execution with project planning. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to be out in the field leading by example—while also helping teammates improve their skills and stay aligned on project goals.

What You Will Do

• Lead On-Site Execution: Serve as the point person in the field, ensuring crews are aligned, equipped, and executing vegetation management work according to plan and customer specs.
• Guide and Support Technicians: Provide direction and mentorship to new or less experienced field staff, helping uphold safety, quality, and work ethic expectations.
• Perform Vegetation Management Work: Use a range of mechanical and chemical control methods including herbicide application, weed whipping, brush cutting, and hand weeding.
• Operate Field Tools & Equipment: Safely run equipment such as backpack sprayers, chainsaws, weed whips, UTVs/ATVs, and small engines. Conduct basic equipment checks and upkeep on equipment.
• Track and Report Work: Maintain accurate field documentation including daily work logs and herbicide application records.
• Communicate with Site Leadership: Relay field updates, flag issues, and help troubleshoot with your Site Manager.

What You Will Need To Be Successful

• 2+ years of direct field experience in vegetation management, including herbicide application and plant identification.
• 2+ years of practical mechanical awareness of field equipment, including understanding routine maintenance needs and recognizing when equipment requires attention.
• Previous field leadership experience of a team.
• Familiarity with vegetation management tools and machinery (weed whips, backpack sprayers, chainsaws, ATVs/UTVs, etc.).
• Ability to read and follow maps and project plans in the field.
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail—especially when coordinating with other staff or documenting work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and comfort using mobile apps for data entry or tracking in project management and ERP systems.
• A commercial pesticide applicator license (or willingness to acquire one within 60 days).
• Ability to move and lift up to 50lbs.
• A willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain/snow) and terrains.