Heavy Equipment Operator, Albach Chipper - Sr. Ops Specialist

About Burn Bot

Burn Bot provides systematic fuels treatment services to prevent destructive wildfires. We’re firefighters, scientists, engineers, prescribed fire practitioners, ecologists, and community members who are answering the call to scale fuel treatment capacity. Our modern fuel treatment system recognizes and supports conservation efforts with a clean, smoke-free process. We need technology to amplify our work forces with targeted use of synthetic fire to treat fuel loads 10x faster than previously possible.

Burn Bot is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator / Senior Operations Specialist to join our rapidly growing Field Operations team. This role will be responsible for daily inspection and maintenance of equipment, conducting mechanical and prescribed fire fuel treatments, upholding company safety standards, and working with team members on a variety of tasks that promote and enhance Burn Bot’s mission. It is a non‑exempt hourly position with a pay range of $32‑$38, determined by role, location, responsibilities, experience, training, education, and skill set.

• Operate Burn Bot’s mastication units in the field, primarily assigned to our Albach Chipper.
• Navigate rugged terrain and vegetation using heavy equipment best practices.
• Conduct basic troubleshooting and field maintenance on machinery.
• Coordinate with leadership on daily production goals and project updates.
• Comply with all state and federal regulations; safety or otherwise.
• Maintain and promote a safe, productive and positive working environment.
• Operate chainsaw to fell, delimb and buck trees at worksites.
• Show a strong bias for action and the ability to execute assigned tasks with or without guidance.
• Adapt to a fast‑changing environment and changing priorities.
• Demonstrate a desire to learn, ask questions and take on new responsibilities as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Driver’s License and flexibility to travel extensively (up to 75%).
• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License required within first 90 days of employment.
• 2+ years operating heavy equipment such as masticators, mulchers, skid steers, or other forestry machinery.
• Familiarity with fire mitigation or vegetation management projects.
• Ability to perform field diagnostics and equipment maintenance.
• Comfortable working in remote, rugged outdoor environments.
• Utilize personal knowledge to resolve issues and discern when to seek assistance for efficient, effective resolutions.
• Excellent customer service skills, including listening, responding and assisting with a positive service mindset.
• Physical ability to lift, push and pull weights of up to 100 lbs regularly.
• Ability to bend, twist, lift, reach, grasp and climb various surfaces and heights for 8+ hours per day.
• Willingness to travel 5+ days along the west coast, up to 75% of the time, most likely home for weekends.
• Passion for Burn Bot’s mission.
• Willing to obtain certification to operate equipment on fire assignments.

• Have any certifications such as FFT1, FFT2, FALB, FIRB, RXB3, CRWB, ENGB, Commercial Drivers License class A or
  
  B.
• Have experience in wildland firefighting, prescribed burns, forestry, timber, logging, or as a sawyer, faller or arborist.
• Have a Commercial Driver’s License (preferably Class
  
  A).
• Have experience operating farm, forestry, equipment or other heavy equipment, trucks and large trailers.
• Have any welding experience.

This role is in our Central Sierras Region with a physical site in Sonora, CA, but will involve field work throughout the area.

Burnbot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with one or more disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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