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Natural Resource Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Nov 26, 2025
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Jobs Hub to apply through the internal application process. Job Category:University Staff Employment Type:Regular Job Profile:Horticulture/Forestry Spec Job Summary:

The UW-Madison Arboretum promotes ecologically sustainable relationships between people and the land through research, stewardship, education, and public engagement.

The Natural Resource Specialist is a member of the Arboretum Land Care field crew and works with the Land Care Manager, Natural Resource Crew Leader, and the rest of the field crew to implement restoration and management plans for the Arboretum's restored and remnant plant and animal communities. Sample responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, invasive tree and shrub removal with chainsaws, brush saws, etc.; invasive herbaceous plant management with herbicide, hand-pulling, etc.; and collection of native seeds. This position also assists in the management of the horticultural gardens and performs general maintenance of the grounds.

The Arboretum land management contributes to the Arboretum mission--"We conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic"--by ensuring that our ecological communities and horticultural plantings illustrate exemplary management practices, and are a valuable resource for research, teaching, and outreach.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Provides general support for grounds and infrastructure maintenance and to other Arboretum work units

  • Coordinates the planting, sowing, fertilization, trimming, watering, and spraying of assigned areas
  • Prepares for and implements prescribed fire

  • Performs all necessary snow removal duties in the winter
  • Develops, coordinates and executes spraying programs for fungicide, pesticide, and herbicide applications
Department:

UW-Madison Arboretum

Compensation:

$22.00 Hourly

Required Qualifications:

1 year of experience in natural resource management or restoration or in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of Wisconsin/Midwest ecology and plants, natural areas management, prairie restoration, native seed collection, prescribed fire and/or related skills and knowledge
  • Experience with chainsaw use, lawnmower use, small engine repair, equipment and vehicle use and maintenance, and/or related experience
  • Experience with collecting, cleaning, and sowing seeds of native plants
  • Experience with management of invasive plants with herbicide, mowing, hand-pulling, and other methods
  • Experience serving on a prescribed fire crew
  • Ability to work well individually, as well as a member of a crew with other staff members or volunteers from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to seasonally assist with snow removal and plowing
  • Ability to behave and communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and cooperation with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, and visitors


The position requires manual dexterity and the ability to work for long periods in all weather conditions, performing skilled and highly technical manual tasks. Must be able to stoop, stretch, bend, lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion, and safely operate power equipment.

The selected candidate will need the following certifications at time of hire or have the ability to complete within 12 months of hire:


  • Certification as prescribed fire crew member through completion of National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses S130, S190, and I100
  • Certification as Wisconsin pesticide applicator
  • Certification in chainsaw safety
  • Certification in First Aid, CPR, AED

Education:

H.S. Diploma

How to Apply:

To be considered, applications must be submitted online. Please click on the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. You will be required to upload a cover letter and resume. Your materials should include all relevant education and/or work experience as it relates to this position.

Contact Information:

Josh Goldman
1207 Seminole Hwy
Madison, WI 53711-3726

josh.goldman@wisc.edu

608-890-4612

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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