Wildlife Habitat & Land Management Foreman / Equipment Operator
Northern Habitat LLC – Bozeman, Montana
Northern Habitat LLC is seeking an experienced Wildlife Habitat & Land Management Foreman / Equipment Operator to join our growing field operations team. We specialize in wildlife habitat enhancement, rangeland management, agricultural seeding, stream restoration, forestry mulching, excavation, irrigation, and land development throughout Montana and beyond.
Position Overview
This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who can lead a small crew while also operating equipment and doing the work. The ideal candidate takes ownership of projects, works independently, solves problems in the field, and maintains high standards for safety, production, and quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise small field crews and organize daily work.
- Operate and maintain excavators, skid steers, agricultural tractors, forestry mulchers, dozers, soil milling and compaction equipment, UTVs, and agricultural seeders.
- Operate and calibrate no-till drills and agricultural seeders.
- Perform wildlife habitat, rangeland, restoration, forestry, excavation, and agricultural improvement projects.
- Assist with stream and wetland restoration, tree/shrub planting, brush management, and wildlife food plots.
- Install, operate, and maintain irrigation systems including pivots, wheel lines, pumps, and temporary systems.
- Safely load, secure, transport, and unload equipment using trucks and trailers.
- Perform daily equipment inspections, basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and field repairs.
- Read project maps, aerial imagery, GPS/GIS layouts, and work orders.
- Track production, document completed work, and communicate progress and field conditions to management.
- Maintain professional relationships with landowners, ranch managers, subcontractors, and project partners.
- Train crew members in equipment operation, field techniques, and safe work practices.
Qualifications
Required:
- Proven heavy equipment operating experience, tractors, skid steer, and excavators.
- Ability to lead and manage a small field crew.
- Strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to safely operate trucks and trailers.
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
- Ability to work long days outdoors in varying terrain and weather.
- Willingness to travel and work occasional overnight projects.
- Ability to pass required drug and alcohol testing.
Highly Preferred:
- Excavator, skid steer, tractor- (soil milling), or forestry mulcher experience.
- Agricultural seeding and seeder calibration experience.
- Irrigation experience.
- Wildlife habitat, rangeland, ranch, or restoration experience.
- GPS/GIS and aerial imagery experience.
- CDL or willingness to obtain one.
- Commercial pesticide/herbicide applicator experience.
- Welding, hydraulic, fabrication, and mechanical skills.
- Construction or civil experience.
A degree or formal education in natural resources, wildlife management, rangeland ecology, agriculture, forestry, construction, or a related field is beneficial but not required.
The Right Candidate
We are looking for someone who is a leader first, but an operator by nature. You should be comfortable running an excavator, large tractors, seeding a field, operating a skid steer, fixing a problem in the field, or working alongside the crew when needed. We value people who take ownership, show up prepared, operate equipment correctly, think through problems, take safety seriously, and treat company and customer property as their own.
Compensation & Growth
Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications, with consideration given to equipment experience, leadership ability, habitat/agricultural knowledge, mechanical skills, project management experience, CDL and certifications. Overtime, travel, per diem, and project-based compensation may be available.
This position offers significant opportunity to grow into a Field Operations Manager / Project Manager role as Northern Habitat expands.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and brief description of your experience with:
- Heavy equipment operation
- Crew leadership
- Agricultural, habitat, ranch, or restoration work
- Truck and trailer operations
- Equipment you are experienced operating
- Relevant licenses and certifications
Northern Habitat LLC – Bozeman, Montana
Wildlife Habitat _ Land Management Restoration _ Heavy Equipment Agriculture
[email protected] – 406-220-8113
Pay: $28.00 - $45.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
