Forest Worker

at Mendiola Forestry Services, LLC in Warren, Arkansas, United States

Job Description

Forest Worker. 45 temporary/full-time positions with Mendiola Forestry Services, LLC (AR)  from 10/1/2026 - 6/30/2027.

Manual itinerant work to hand plant tree seedlings and perform pre-commercial thinning to reforest and maintain timberlands. Plant bare-root or containerized trees using a shovel, hoe dad, dibble bar, or hoe. Transport trees in a tree bag. Select optimum planting location to meet spacing, soil, and shade requirements. Dig holes at pre-determined intervals and insert seedling. Tamp soil around plant with foot and planting tool. Use a chainsaw, brush blade, or other hand-held equipment to remove excess trees and other vegetation. Determine which immature trees to leave for accelerated growth, depending on spacing, species, size, freedom from disease or other defect, and possible damage to remaining trees. Cut brush and other vegetation. Use a backpack sprayer or other hand held tools to spray or inject herbicides to reduce competing vegetation. Mark boundary lines. Workers who apply for and obtain, or currently hold a FLC or FLCE certificate of registration with driving authorized by the USDOL Wage and Hour Division during the employment period may transport workers, count and check, and may be offered additional work hours. These jobs involve propagating, protecting, and managing forest tracts. Workers who possess a Farm Labor Contractor Employee Certificate and operate an inspected company vehicle may transport crew members from their housing location to the initial worksite and between worksites during the workday, as necessary, under manager supervision. Transportation duties are incidental to the primary forestry work being performed. “Count and check” refers to verifying crew attendance by counting workers before departure, upon arrival at the worksite, and as needed throughout the workday. Workers who hold a valid FLCE Certificate may be offered additional hours associated with transporting crew from their housing location to the initial worksite before the start of the workday, under manager supervision. These duties are limited to authorized transportation activities and any related attendance verification necessary to ensure all workers arrive safely and are accounted for prior to commencing forestry operations.

Requires physical stamina. Must lift and carry 50 lbs. Extensive walking over rough terrain. Work is in adverse weather.Work schedule and locations dependent on weather conditions. Overnight travel required.  Production standard of 3000 tree seedlings planted correctly per eight hour day after one week of on the job training.Employer provided uniforms are to be worn at all worksites.

On-the-job training will be provided to the worker.

Employer pays in advance or reimburses workers in the first workweek for all government-mandated and visa-related fees (excluding passport fees). For non-local workers (i.e., residing outside normal commuting distance), employer reimburses inbound travel costs at the 50% point in the contract (unless paid in advance). Inbound travel includes transportation costs from worker’s permanent residence or place of recruitment, a daily meal subsistence (based on rates required by law, currently $16.78 per day minimum without receipts; and with receipts, $68.00 per day maximum for meals with $110.00 per day maximum for lodging), and reasonable lodging costs, if applicable. Travel reimbursements based on least-cost common carrier rate. Employer provides or pays outbound travel costs upon completion of the contract period or early dismissal, except where the worker has subsequent employment.

Employer guarantees to offer hours equal to at least three-fourths of the workdays in each 12-week period of the total contract period, beginning with the worker’s first workday and ending on the contract end date or any extension thereof. Employer may count all hours worked, as well as any hours offered within the standard work schedule that a worker chooses to not work, up to the maximum number of daily hours on the job order.

Workers who voluntarily abandon employment are not entitled to payment for outbound travel costs or the full three-fourths period guarantee described above.

Employer provides without charge all tools, supplies and equipment (incl. uniforms, if applicable) necessary to perform duties assigned. Optional lodging available at no cost to all non-local workers.

JOB LOCATION:

5 Cloverhill Drive Warren, AR 71671  and multiple worksites within AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, and TX.

Employer provides incidental transport between job sites. Employer offers free daily transportation to/from worksite from designated pick-up location. Use of transportation is voluntary.

WAGE INFORMATION:

Wage rate is no less than $18.99-$21.13 per Hour, depending on location. Overtime hours vary at:  $28.49-$31.70 per Hour, depending on location.  Employer may pay piece rates of $0.03 per tree planted correctly, $35.00 - $60.00 per acre thinned correctly and, $50.00 per mile to mark boundary lines; but not less than the highest prevailing wage in the area of intended employment, whichever is higher.

 A single workweek will be used to compute wages due. The payroll period is weekly. Workers are paid by check on Monday. The standard work schedule is from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Employer will offer 40 hours per week. Employer may offer more than the stated work hours, depending on weather, business needs, and other conditions. Extreme heat, cold, rain, or drought may affect exact working hours.

Employer makes all payroll deductions required by law. Employer does not envision other workforce-wide payroll deductions. 

REFERRAL INSTRUCTIONS:

State Workforce Agency (SWA) may only refer qualified applicants who have been apprised of the material terms and conditions of employment and who are able, willing, and available for the job. Employer makes hiring decisions at its sole discretion. Referrals and applicants are accepted from all sources. Applicants must possess documentation required to complete Form I-9 employment eligibility verification.

To apply, contact employer at Abielmfs@yahoo.com , or apply at: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, No. 2 Capital Mall Room 436, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-1015.