Blue Spring Lake Management District

Aquatic Weed Harvester Operator – Blue Spring Lake Management District, Palmyra Wi (Jefferson County)

Job Summary

We are looking for a reliable, safety-conscious Aquatic Weed Harvester Operator to navigate, operate, and maintain weed-harvesting machinery on Blue Spring Lake. In this role, you will play a critical part in removing excessive aquatic plants and debris to keep the water clean, preserve ecological balance, and protect recreational access for our local boating, fishing, and water-sport community. 

Schedule & Hours

• Type: Part-Time, Seasonal, May thru October
• Weekly Schedule: Monday through Saturday
• Monday–Friday: 4 hours per day
• Saturday: 3 hours per day
• Total Hours: 23 hours per week 
• Salary Commensurate with Experience

Key Responsibilities

• Operate Equipment: Safely pilot an aquatic weed harvester to cut, collect, and load underwater weeds across the 136-acre lake. 
• Shoreline Navigation: Carefully navigate near docks, shallow channels, and shorelines to clear nuisance vegetation without disrupting private property or wildlife.
• Offloading: Transport harvested weeds to designated shore-side offloading areas, ensuring proper disposal away from the boat launch and community access points. 
• Routine Upkeep: Perform daily pre- and post-operation equipment checks, grease moving parts, and handle minor troubleshooting or mechanical upkeep on the harvester.
• Safety & Compliance: Strictly follow Wisconsin DNR boating regulations, watch for marked buoys, and adhere to lake speed limits and no-wake hours. 
• Community Interaction: Maintain a polite and professional attitude when interacting with lakefront property owners and visitors at the public boat landing. 

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Experience operating watercraft, boats, heavy machinery, or agricultural equipment is highly preferred.
• License/Certification: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 
• Physical Stamina: Ability to work outdoors on the water in sunny, humid, or changing weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs..
• Local Knowledge: Familiarity with Blue Spring Lake channels, shallow areas, and boat launch areas is a major plus.
• Work Ethic: Highly reliable, punctual, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently on the water.