Back to jobs

Ecological Restoration Operator II

Hillsdale, Indiana, United States

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

 

RES is looking for a Restoration Operator II to join our growing field team!

As a Restoration Operator II, you’ll support and lead restoration field activities across multiple ecological project sites. This role requires proficiency in equipment operation, field restoration techniques, and jobsite safety—along with the ability to mentor others and adapt to dynamic site conditions.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in the outdoors, enjoys hands-on restoration work, and takes pride in quality execution and safe practices.

Why You’ll Love This Job

 

  • You’ll work on diverse sites restoring wetlands, streams, forests, and prairies
  • You’ll get to operate a wide variety of equipment in meaningful ecological settings
  • You’ll have the chance to mentor newer crew members and grow into a leadership role
  • You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to environmental improvement
  • You’ll be part of a high-integrity safety culture with supportive, skilled teammates

 

A Day in the Life

 

You’ll start your day by leading or joining a tailgate safety meeting, reviewing the day’s scope of work. Then, you’ll be operating equipment like skid steers, tractors, or augers, or supporting herbicide application and planting based on detailed project plans.

Throughout the day, you may troubleshoot equipment issues, help newer operators learn safe techniques, and provide updates to your supervisor. You’ll ensure that project execution aligns with erosion control, planting, and invasive management standards.

You’ll help track hours, complete safety observation cards, and maintain a Samsara driving score above 70. You’ll wrap up your day by loading equipment, recording notes, and planning for tomorrow’s crew and material needs.

Some of the main tasks to be carried out are the following:

  • Invasive brush clearing, tree felling, planting, seeding, erosion, and sediment controls
  • Maintenance and mowing of solar fields through equipment operation and herbicide application.
  • Restoration activities include identifying and protecting native species, identifying and controlling invasive species, and site clearing.
  • Loading plant and project materials at nurseries and other suppliers
  • MUST HAVE CDL Class A-- will haul equipment across state lines

Physical requirements:

  • Ability to lift 50 lbs, walk on uneven ground, and climb onto construction equipment

We would like to talk to you if you have many of the following:

 

  • High school diploma or GED
  • CDL Class A License
  • 3+ years of ecological restoration experience
  • 2+ years of experience operating construction and restoration equipment
  • Commercial Pesticide Applicator License in the appropriate categories
  • Strong understanding of project plans and specifications

 

What would make you stand out?

 

  • Ability to direct small crews or mentor junior team members
  • Demonstrated leadership in equipment safety, field troubleshooting, or logistics
  • Familiarity with GPS mapping tools and mobile workforce apps
  • Strong communication with supervisors and cross-functional field teams

 

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

  • You take initiative and complete tasks with minimal direction
  • You enjoy working outside and are comfortable with physically demanding work
  • You take pride in maintaining safe and productive worksites
  • You like variety and are flexible with changing field conditions
  • You enjoy solving problems and helping your team work better

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Resource Environmental Solutions LLC? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

If yes, please provide details; if not, please type N/A.

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Resource Environmental Solutions LLC’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.