Outdoor Field Technician – Ecological Landscape Management Career Track
Grounded Earth | Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro
Full-Time | Seasonal (April–November)
Starting at $20/hour + Performance Pay
High performers regularly earn the equivalent of $25–30+/hour through our Pay-for-Performance (P4P) system.
Build Landscapes That Get Healthier Every Year—Not Just Shorter Every Week.
Do plants fascinate you?
Have you studied horticulture, ecology, botany, environmental science, forestry, landscape management, or a related field?
Do you enjoy understanding why landscapes thrive—not just maintaining them?
If you're looking for more than another landscaping job, Grounded Earth may be exactly what you've been searching for.
We're building a new kind of green-collar profession centered around Ecological Landscape Management—combining ecological science, modern technology, disciplined field operations, and long-term stewardship to restore healthier landscapes.
We're not building a crew of seasonal laborers.
We're building a team of specialists.
About Grounded Earth
Grounded Earth is an all-electric, science-based ecological landscape management company serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro.
Our mission is simple:
We Restore Balance.
Every property we manage is approached with a long-term mindset. Rather than simply maintaining appearances, we focus on improving the health, resilience, and function of landscapes over time.
Every member of our field team begins as an Outdoor Field Technician, where they develop the production skills, field discipline, and ecological foundation needed to advance into licensed ecological roles.
This isn't a dead-end seasonal job.
It's the first step in a professional career.
Who We're Looking For
We're intentionally seeking people who already have a genuine interest in plants, ecology, and the natural world.
We're especially interested in candidates with education, experience, or a strong personal interest in:
- Horticulture
- Plant Science
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Botany
- Forestry
- Landscape Management
- Ecological Restoration
- Conservation
- Turfgrass Science
- Agriculture
- Nursery or greenhouse production
- Gardening
- Invasive species management
Relevant education is highly valued.
Equivalent professional or hands-on experience is equally welcome.
If you've ever found yourself identifying plants on hikes, maintaining your own gardens, working in a greenhouse, studying ecology, or wondering why landscapes succeed or fail...
You'll probably fit in well here.
Military veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
Why This Role Is Different
While lawn maintenance is where every team member begins, it isn't the destination.
It's the foundation.
You'll build the production discipline, attention to detail, and client service skills required before advancing into increasingly specialized ecological work.
As your skills grow, you'll have opportunities to participate in:
- Ecological landscape management
- Garden bed maintenance
- Invasive species management
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Turf and soil health programs
- Landscape restoration
- Licensed pesticide applications
- Advanced ecological field operations
Compensation & Benefits
We reward performance, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Compensation
- Starting pay: $20/hour
- Weekly pay
- Performance Pay (P4P)
- High performers regularly earn the equivalent of $25–30+/hour
Bonuses
- $750 Sign-On Bonus
- $250 Minnesota Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Bonus
- $2,000 Returning Team Member Retention Bonus
- 100% of customer tips
Professional Development
- Company-paid applicator licensing, training, and exam support
- Structured field training
- Clear career advancement opportunities
- Ongoing professional development
Additional Perks
- Modern all-electric equipment and vehicles
- Technology-driven field operations
- Company uniforms
- Monthly team lunches
- Employee recognition program
- Small, high-performing team where your work has a direct impact
Career Path
Grounded Earth operates a structured ecological career ladder.
Outdoor Field Technician
↓
Ecological Field Technician I (Licensed)
↓
Ecological Field Technician II
↓
Ecological Specialist
↓
Senior Ecological Specialist
Advancement is earned through demonstrated performance, technical competency, professional licensing, and leadership—not simply time with the company.
What You'll Do
You'll work outdoors helping improve residential landscapes throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro.
Responsibilities include:
- Lawn mowing, trimming, edging, and cleanup
- Garden bed maintenance
- Property cleanups
- Mulch installation
- Equipment inspection and care
- Job documentation using company technology
- Supporting licensed ecological technicians
- Learning ecological landscape management systems and best practices
Every day is an opportunity to improve landscapes—not just maintain them.
The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here
You'll probably enjoy working with us if you:
- Love working outdoors
- Have a genuine interest in plants and ecology
- Take pride in producing exceptional work
- Show up on time and keep your commitments
- Welcome coaching and continuous improvement
- Pay attention to details
- Solve problems instead of creating them
- Take ownership of your work
- Want your compensation to reflect your performance
- Want to build a profession—not simply find another seasonal job
Our Hiring Process
If selected for an interview, we'll send you our Grounded Earth Employment Brand Guide before we meet.
It explains:
- Our mission
- Our ecological philosophy
- Our company culture
- Our career path
- Our Pay-for-Performance system
- What success looks like at Grounded Earth
We'll assume you've reviewed it before your interview so we can spend our time getting to know you instead of simply introducing ourselves.
Ready to Help Build a New Profession?
Ecological Landscape Management is still an emerging discipline.
Grounded Earth is helping define what it looks like.
If you're passionate about plants, enjoy working outdoors, and want to build a meaningful career with a company that's raising the standard for ecological landscape management, we'd love to hear from you.
To Apply
Please submit:
- Your resume
- A brief introduction telling us:
- Why this opportunity interests you.
- Any education, experience, or personal interest you have in horticulture, ecology, landscaping, gardening, conservation, or related fields.
Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an initial Zoom interview.
Grounded Earth
We Restore Balance.
All-electric. Science-based. Built for long-term health.
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
Application Question(s):
- Are you available for full-time seasonal work through late November?
(This is a seasonal full-time position — we need full commitment.)
- Do you have a valid driver’s license? (Required to drive company vehicles. Disqualify if no.)
- Do you have a clean driving record (no at-fault accidents, major violations or DUIs in the past 3 years)? (We insure our team. Disqualify if no.)
- Are you physically able to lift 50+ lbs and work outdoors in heat, bugs, rain and cold for extended periods? (This work is physical and outdoors. Disqualify if not comfortable.)
- Can you reliably commute to our Minneapolis location daily? (This helps ensure punctuality and energy.)
- Grounded Earth uses a Pay-for-Performance compensation system where high-quality, efficient work can increase earnings beyond base hourly pay. Are you comfortable working in a performance-based environment?
- Do you currently hold a Minnesota Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Categories A & E)? If not, are you willing to obtain one with company support as part of your career development?
- What interests you most about building a career in Ecological Landscape Management?
- Do you have education, professional experience, or significant personal interest in horticulture, plant science, ecology, botany, environmental science, forestry, landscape management, conservation, gardening, nursery/greenhouse production, agriculture, or a related field? (Select all that apply.)
-Horticulture
-Plant Science
-Ecology
-Environmental Science
-Botany
-Forestry
-Landscape Management
-Ecological Restoration
-Conservation
-Gardening
-Nursery/Greenhouse
-Agriculture
-None of the above
Work Location: In person
