Stephen F. Austin State University

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking field technicians to assist with a research project comparing the effectiveness of several treatments for non-native cattail in prairie pothole wetlands.

Invasive cattail (especially hybrid cattail, Typha x. glauca) has dramatically increased in abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region since the mid-twentieth century. Invasive cattails form dense monotypic stands, displacing native aquatic plants and impacting fish, amphibians, and wetland birds via changing habitat structure and displacing food resources. The MN DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of North Dakota, and University of Minnesota are collaborating to conduct a before-after/control-impact study comparing wetland responses to treatments. We broadly hypothesize that treatments will set back invasive cattail, allowing for hemi-marsh conditions (mixed open water and native emergent vegetation), and that some treatments will have longer-lasting results than others.

The primary duty in this position will be conducting wetland vegetation surveys in shallow prairie wetlands of western Minnesota in July-August, 2025. The position will be based at the Fergus Falls Wildlife Office in Fergus Falls, MN with travel to field sites.

To view the full job posting (including contact for questions) and apply, please visit the State of Minnesota Careers website, select the External Applicants Portal or Accessible Applicant Portal (for users using a screen reader or another type of assistive technology) and search Job ID 84367, or follow this direct link to the job posting in the External Applicants Portal, or this direct link to the job posting in the Accessible Applicant Portal (for users using a screen reader or another type of assistive technology).

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of ecology and wildlife biology.
• Knowledge of wetland habitats in Minnesota.
• Ability to collect biological data in the field responsibly and safely, including under challenging weather conditions (cold, heat, rain), sometimes for long days.
• Ability and willingness to work in chest waders.
• Knowledge of how to carefully and accurately enter scientific data into datasheets in the field and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets in the office.
• Knowledge of safe operation of 4WD trucks and trailers, including on dirt roads and two-track trails, and of small boat operation (especially canoes and kayaks).
• Knowledge of how to use atlases and navigation applications (e.g., Google Maps) to independently drive from the office to designated field sites.
• Knowledge of how to use field maps/compasses and GPS units for field navigation while hiking to specific GPS Coordinates within study sites.
• Knowledge of wetland vegetation (species-level identification) that occurs in seasonal prairie pothole wetlands.
• Knowledge of using keys and field guides to identify wetland plants.
• Willingness to work as part of a team or independently as necessary to complete required tasks.
• Ability to maintain a flexible and positive attitude as methods are modified during the first field season of this research project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife, ecology, natural resource management, or related field.
• Experience in safely operating 4WD trucks and trailers, including on dirt roads and two track trails, and in safely operating small boats (especially canoes and kayaks).
• Experience independently driving to field sites using atlases and navigation applications.
• Experience using field maps/compasses and GPS units for field navigation while hiking to specific GPS coordinates within study sites.
• Experience using a GPS unit to navigate through tall (overhead) vegetation to preestablished sample points in the field, and to use a compass to orient a quadrant in a designated direction from a sample point.
• Experience identifying wetland vegetation of seasonal prairie pothole wetlands to the species level.
• Experience using keys and field guides to identify wetland plants.
• Experience carefully and accurately entering data into scientific datasheets in the field and Microsoft Excel datasheets in the office.
• Experience with GIS software, especially ArcGIS.
• Experience following vegetation data collection protocols such that data is collected using consistent methods across vegetation survey teams, including asking questions as needed.
• Experience initiating communication with field crew members or field crew leaders to provide updates regarding field work progress, problems, and questions via telephone or text messaging.