Vegetation Technician

About the role

New Energy Equity and Energy Support Services is seeking a motivated, reliable, and detail-oriented Vegetation Technician to join our field operations team. Safety is our top priority. We operate on active solar sites around high-voltage equipment, heavy machinery, and variable terrain—maintaining a strict safety culture and ensuring our team members go home safely every day is foundational to how we work. This role is primarily a physical, outdoors-focused position paired with essential administrative, routing, and operational responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance:
  • Adhere to and enforce all company safety protocols, PPE requirements, OSHA standards, and site-specific safety plans at all times.
  • Conduct mandatory pre-work safety assessments and site inspections to identify, document, and mitigate hazards (e.g., thermal risks, electrical hazards, terrain issues, damaged infrastructure) before beginning work.
  • Safely transport, load, and operate heavy vegetation equipment, trimmers, and utility trailers.
  • Lead by example and ensure that seasonal helpers or crew members understand, follow, and maintain strict safety compliance on site.
• Field Execution & Maintenance:
  • Perform direct, hands-on mechanical vegetation control, including operating commercial-grade zero-turn mowers and brush hogs within fenced arrays, and detailed weed-whipping around electrical equipment, poles, and post foundations.
  • Execute a 4-day weekly field schedule to manage vegetation across assigned facilities on a variable rotation cycle, adapting to weather and growth conditions.
  • Perform routine small equipment maintenance and minor repair tasks (e.g., blade sharpening, belt replacements, oil/filter changes, basic small engine troubleshooting) to maximize equipment uptime safely.
  • Perform basic civil and site upkeep tasks as needed on an infrequent basis (e.g., debris removal, minor fence touch-ups, or tree/heavy brush clearing).
• Administration, Operations & Routing:
  • Plan daily routing for assigned regional sites; log and complete work orders promptly upon task execution.
  • Complete Service Reports the same day a job is finished.
  • Use Microsoft Teams and Outlook daily to manage communications, track assigned tasks, participate in team workflows, and ensure project updates are clear.
  • Generate accurate site condition reports, incident logs, and mandatory job safety documentation in a timely manner.
  • Track completed site cuts in spreadsheets against contractual cut limits, flagging sites approaching limits for additional client coordination.
  • Conduct basic administrative research as needed (e.g., sourcing local repair shops, evaluating equipment options, locating storage units, or coordinating local vendor support).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated safety-first attitude with a clean safety record in previous industrial or field roles.
• Previous experience operating heavy commercial vegetation equipment (zero-turn mowers, brush hogs, commercial trimmers).
• Experience with small engines or commercial equipment repair and maintenance is a major plus.
• Basic computer literacy and comfort using software applications (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and Excel/spreadsheets) for administrative reporting, task tracking, and goal management.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; comfortable towing and maneuvering a 20-foot utility trailer daily is desirable.
• Experience operating chainsaws safely and performing minor fence repairs is a plus (not required).

Skills and Physical Requirements

• Safety Commitment: Uncompromising commitment to personal safety, team safety, and proper PPE use in high-voltage solar environments.
• Physical Capability: Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, lift 50+ lbs regularly, and walk long distances over rough or uneven solar array terrain daily.
• Digital & Administrative Proficiency: Comfortable with email, digital messaging, spreadsheet entry, web research, and basic organizational tools.
• Self-Management & Accountability: Strong time-management skills to balance physical field labor with timely administrative follow-through.
• Travel: Daily regional travel to and from assigned job sites within the regional hub footprint, returning home most evenings. Overnight stays are rare/minimal and generally limited to exceptional circumstances or distant site outliers during peak growing season.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Pay

The expected annual compensation range for this position is $50,000 – $60,000, encompassing base pay and potential incentive target opportunity. This range is a good faith estimate based on the position’s requirements. Specific compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary depending on factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, training, experience, and market conditions.

Benefits

• Retirement Benefits
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Absences

About Us

At New Energy Equity, a proud subsidiary of ALLETE, we’re leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with innovative solar solutions. As a top player in the renewable energy sector, we’ve successfully developed over 600MW of solar projects and closed more than $1.2 billion in clean energy investments. Our projects deliver sustainable electricity to a wide range of clients, including commercial, industrial, municipal, and utility customers.

We pride ourselves on a dynamic and engaging work environment where teamwork, continuous learning, and environmental stewardship are at the core of what we do. Our inclusive and collaborative culture encourages creativity and innovation, making our office a place where every idea is valued, and growth is a priority.

At New Energy Equity, you’ll join a passionate team that not only drives the clean energy future but also enjoys celebrating our successes together. With over 250 projects across the U.S., our supportive atmosphere ensures a balanced work-life dynamic and a fun, fulfilling career path.