Field Operations Leader — Stormwater & Vegetation (Iowa)

Merjent; Swisher (IA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid vacation

10 paid holidays

Competitive benefits

Career-related training

Growth opportunities in service lines

Travel for team meetings

Job summary

Merjent seeks a seasoned Operations Manager to build and lead a boots-on-the-ground stormwater and vegetation services operation in Eastern/Central Iowa. This non-remote role requires frequent field presence and oversight of a regional office, fleet, and crews across Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

The candidate will manage start-up and expansion activities, drive safety, and ensure strict adherence to SWPPP and regulatory standards while coordinating with project managers on schedules and budgets.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in stormwater compliance construction, erosion and sediment control, construction-related restoration, or vegetation management.
• Experience managing field crews, equipment, shops, and multi-project operations.
• Strong working knowledge of SWPPP requirements, erosion and sediment control BMPs, and vegetation establishment practices.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and scale field-based operations, including start-up or expansion environments.
• Experience managing fleets, construction equipment, and hands-on field logistics.
• Comfortable working in active construction environments and coordinating with contractors and inspectors.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Possess or be willing to maintain a strong on-site presence across the service area.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively within Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and directly manage a regional operations team including supervisors, field technicians, equipment operators, and seasonal labor.
• Provide day-to-day leadership with regular jobsite and field presence.
• Establish and enforce operational procedures, safety standards, and quality control protocols specific to stormwater compliance and vegetation work.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and retain field staff with an emphasis on developing reliable, long-term crews.
• Coordinate staffing, scheduling, and logistics to support multiple active projects simultaneously across Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
• Establish and operate a small regional office and equipment shop in Cedar Rapids (or immediate vicinity).
• Manage a fleet of trucks, trailers, and construction equipment used for erosion control, SWPPP implementation, and vegetation services.
• Oversee equipment inspections, maintenance, repairs, storage, procurement, and utilization tracking.
• Manage materials, supplies, subcontractors, vendors, and local service providers necessary to support daily field operations.
• Lead and actively support field execution of SWPPP implementation and ongoing maintenance; erosion and sediment control installation, repair, and troubleshooting; construction stormwater compliance inspections and corrective actions; vegetation establishment and management.
• Ensure work complies with approved plans, specifications, permits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with project managers to plan schedules, staffing levels, equipment needs, and budgets.
• Provide real-world operational input during estimating, pre-construction planning, and means-and-methods development.
• Execute and manage existing stormwater and vegetation contracts to achieve scope, schedule, quality, and financial objectives.
• Maintain strong working relationships with clients, general contractors, inspectors, and regulatory agencies.
• Support proposal development, pricing reviews, and go/no-go decisions with a focus on constructability and efficiency.
• Actively pursue additional clients and contract opportunities throughout Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
• Identify opportunities to grow recurring maintenance, compliance, and vegetation management programs.

Skills

Leadership experience in stormwater/VD

SWPPP knowledge

Erosion and sediment control

Vegetation establishment/management

Field operations leadership

Fleet and shop management

Regulatory compliance

Travel willingness

Job description

Merjent seeks a seasoned Operations Manager to build and lead a boots-on-the-ground stormwater and vegetation services operation in Eastern/Central Iowa. This non-remote role requires frequent field presence and oversight of a regional office, fleet, and crews across Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

The candidate will manage start-up and expansion activities, drive safety, and ensure strict adherence to SWPPP and regulatory standards while coordinating with project managers on schedules and budgets.