Vegetation Management Site Manager at MNL – Otsego, Minnesota

Are you a skilled communicator who thrives at the intersection of fieldwork and client relations? Do you enjoy translating restoration goals into actionable plans? Are you ready to lead projects and a team that support native landscapes? If so, we are looking 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 (VM) team plays a vital role in long-term site stewardship, supporting thriving native ecosystems. This position is a core part of how we scale high-quality ecological outcomes while serving the unique needs of residential, commercial, and public clients.

The Opportunity

We’re hiring a Vegetation Management Site Manager to serve as the primary contact for an assigned set of clients and to lead vegetation management planning and execution across a wide portfolio of native restoration sites. This role combines ecological knowledge, strong project management, and people leadership to ensure vegetation plans are delivered on time, on budget, and to MNL’s standards.

You’ll oversee multiple projects simultaneously—scoping work, coordinating field teams, tracking progress, and maintaining excellent communication with both clients and internal staff. You’ll also work in the field to train and direct VM crew leaders and field technicians, ensuring fieldwork aligns with the ecological goals and expectations of each site.

This position requires regular site visits and field engagement.

What You Will Do

• Manage Client Projects: Serve as the primary contact for your assigned vegetation management clients—building trust, managing expectations, and ensuring contract obligations are met.
• Plan and Schedule Work: Translate site assessments and client goals into vegetation management plans (i.e. mowing, herbicide application, brush control, etc.).
• Lead and Direct Field Staff: Train, direct, and support VM crew leaders and field technicians to execute plans with consistency and quality.
• Track Progress and Communicate Results: Maintain accurate documentation of completed work and provide timely updates and reports to clients and internal teams.
• Provide Quotes and Proposals: Create pricing estimates based on MNL’s internal pricing framework and site-specific needs.
• Conduct Site Evaluations: Visit new and existing project sites to assess vegetation conditions and recommend management strategies.
• Perform Field Work: Support vegetation management activities such as herbicide application, hand weeding, brush cutting, and weed whipping.
• Collaborate Internally: Coordinate closely with VM leadership and other departments to align resource planning and work execution.
• Identify Growth Opportunities: Look for ways to expand the client relationship through additional services or complementary MNL offerings.

What You Will Need To Be Successful

• 2+ years of experience in native vegetation management, including herbicide use and native/invasive plant identification.
• 1+ years of experience managing or supervising teams or crews.
• Strong organizational and scheduling skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication – comfortable with both field crew instruction and client updates.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, ERP systems, and other computer software.
• A proactive mindset with attention to detail and professionalism.
• A Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (or a willingness to acquire one within 90 days of employment).
• Ability to move and lift up to 50lbs and work in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain/snow) and terrains.
• Experience operating a chainsaw safely for felling and/or bucking preferred.
• Experience operating farm and other equipment, trucks, trailers, and ATVs/UTVs, along with basic equipment maintenance and repair preferred.
• Ability to travel daily to various worksites with occasional overnight travel.