Job Posting: Field Research Technicians with the

Cariveau Native Bee Lab

The Cariveau Native Bee Lab is looking for qualified applicants to fill 10 technician positions, April through September 2019.

Salary:  $10.75 – 17/hour (commensurate with experience)

Start Date: Project Dependent                                          Application Deadline: February 22, 2019

Projects Hiring

  • Prairie restoration project that examines establishment of pollinator friendly seed-mixes for bees. Technicians will collect data on plant establishment and identify native prairie plant seedlings while sampling wild bees and soil. Prior experience with identifying tallgrass prairie species greatly preferred. Full-time position. Location: Twin Cities Metro
  • Metro area bumble bee survey as part of a larger project using occupancy modeling to combine citizen science and research data to inform conservation efforts. Technicians will enter data, complete bumble bee surveys, conduct plant surveys and data cleaning. Strong quantitative skills and experience with R preferred. Part-time position. Location: Twin Cities Metro.
  • Minnesota Agriculture for Pollinators Project (MAPP) where technicians will conduct honey bee and native bee sampling and plant surveys throughout southwest Minnesota agricultural lands. Full-time position. Location: Western Minnesota, rustic field housing provided.

 

Responsibilities:   Technicians will conduct field work, observe and collect wild bees, and conduct native plant surveys, process, pin, and label bee and plant specimens collected during the 2019 field season. Technicians will also enter and check data. This work requires attention to detail and an eagerness to learn.   Both independent and group work required.  Lab work will be located at the UMN Bee Research Facility in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Required Qualifications:

  • Valid US driver’s license and US citizen status or permanent resident.
  • Enrollment as a current student or recent graduate (December 2018 – May 2019) with coursework in Entomology, Ecology, Evolution, Conservation, Plant Sciences, Botany, or other experience with insect and plant identification.
  • Effective communication skills with supervisors and small teams.
  • Dependability, punctuality, and ability to complete high quality work during tedious tasks.
  • Ability to work in sunny outdoor conditions and carry up to 50 pounds over consecutive days.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Understanding of basic bee biology with experience handling and identifying wild bees.
  • Prairie seedling identification and other botany experience.
  • Familiarity with dichotomous keys.
  • Experience entering data with attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

Please send a single PDF with your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 2 references to Kiley Friedrich ( fried300@umn.edu ), subject line: “2019 Technician Application” followed by your name.  Please identify the project(s) of interest and include your ability to travel outside the Twin Cities for field work.  Application review will begin immediately. Applications due by 5:00 PM CST February 22, 2019.