Field Crew Lead

Field Crew Lead | Sturgeon Bay, WI

About the Door County Land Trust

Since our inception in 1986, the Door County Land Trust has worked to preserve, maintain, and enhance lands that contribute significantly to the scenic beauty, open space, and ecological integrity of northeast Wisconsin. In pursuit of this mission, we have earned a reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier conservation organizations. We have worked with scores of landowners to protect more than 10,100 acres of fields, forests, farmlands, wetlands, and shoreline. We are a local, non-profit, non-governmental organization supported by more than 4,200 households who love Door County and share a concern for its future.

The Opportunity 

The Field Crew Lead plays a critical role in the successful execution of the organization's ecological restoration and land management goals. This position is responsible for leading a crew of two technicians in day-to-day fieldwork, ensuring the efficient and safe completion of tasks across managed fee-lands. The Crew Lead will act as the primary on-site supervisor and liaison, performing manual physical labor, providing technical guidance, and ensuring all restoration activities meet established standards.

Our Culture: Working with the Land

At the Land Trust, our culture is defined by a shared passion for conservation and a commitment to rigorous, science-based restoration. We are a dedicated, mission-driven team that believes in the power of nature and the importance

• Collaboration and Respect: We foster an environment where every team member, from seasonal assistants to management, is respected, and ideas for better ecological outcomes are always welcome. We believe the best results come from working together.
• Outdoor & Hands-On: Our office is the land. We value physical work, resilience in the face of weather, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Safety First: We prioritize the safety of our team above all else, maintaining high standards for field work, tool operation, and chemical application.
• Impact Focus: We take pride in the tangible, visible impact of our work—leaving the land healthier than we found it.

KEY AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Habitat Management, Restoration, and Crew Lead

The key role includes leading the field crew in the successful execution of hands-on ecological restoration activities on managed DCLT lands. This involves providing guidance and direct to the two-field crew technician to ensure efficient and safe operations. This work comprises approximately 90% field effort and requires physical labor. The remaining 10% is allocated for logistics, maintenance, and administrative support. 

• Direct supervision and mentorship of the two field crew technicians during the primary 6-month field season, including daily task organization and safety protocol enforcement.
• Executing both manual and chemical control of invasive species, including herbicide application.
• Operating property management equipment, such as mowers and tractors, for the prescribed mowing of prairies and grasslands.
• Conducting invasive species inventories and habitat assessments using GPS units and mobile mapping applications.
• Providing occasional assistance in stewardship workdays with volunteers.
• Performing other manual labor necessary for land management, such as clearing trails and maintaining site infrastructure.
• When field conditions limit restoration work during winter, the Lead will support the office functions including project documentation, inventory and maintenance, as well as next season planning.

EDUCATION, EXPEREINCE AND CAPBILITIES

Education 

• A bachelor’s degree or technical degree from an accredited training institute, college or university in a natural resource-related field is preferred.

Experience and Other Qualifications

• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license or out of state license required. Occasional personal vehicle use may be required (milage will be reimbursed).
• English language skills are required. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the time they apply.

Technical Skills 

• Current applicator certifications from the State of Wisconsin for “Aquatic and Mosquito” and “Right-of-Way and Natural Areas” or the ability to obtain within 30 days of start date (Cost will be reimbursed).
• Familiarity with various herbicide formulations, mixing calculations, and advanced application techniques.
• Experience operating property management equipment such as mowers, brush cutters, chain saws, tractors, power tools, trailering etc. is preferred.
• Proficiency in collecting field data using GPS mobile applications (such as ArcGIS Field Maps, Landscape) and exporting data for reporting.

Other Skills

• Proven ability to motivate the crew and maintain high morale and spirit even during long periods of physically demanding, tough fieldwork.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in the field when facing unexpected challenges (e.g., equipment failure, weather changes).
• Respectful, energetic, team-player with a problem-solving approach and work ethic.
• Detail oriented, ability to multi-task, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills for effectively directing crew members and interacting respectfully with landowners or the public encounters on protected properties.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to hike independently, quickly, and efficiently in all kinds of weather throughout the entire calendar year on properties ranging from flat fields to steep slopes associated with the Niagara Escarpment, forests, and wetlands characteristic of the natural features in northeast Wisconsin and beyond.
• Ability to perform manual labor necessary for land management activities such as clearing trails and treating invasive species.

Location: The position will be based out of the Door County Land Trust office in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The position will be approximately 90% field and 10% office work.

Start Date: April-early May 2026 (flexible)

Work Schedule: This is an 18-month contracted position beginning spring of 2026. The typical work week is 35 hours, usually Monday – Thursday. Occasional work required outside normal business hours, potential overnights on the islands. 

Compensation: The position qualifies for company benefits, and the pay range for a candidate selected for this position is expected to be within the range of $45,000-$50,000 annual salary. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience. 

Application Requirements: Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information by January 25, 2026. Interviews will be scheduled for early February.

Submit Application Package as a single file (PDF preferred) to careers@doorcountylandtrust.org

No phone calls, please. 

Door County Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants for employment are judged on their merits. The Land Trust is committed to proving an environment free of illegal discrimination of any kind, and does not base any employment decisions on race, color, national original, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or gender expression, religion, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected category under federal and state laws.