What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Botanist - Natural Resources Specialist Ecological Services position at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources?
Working Title: Seasonal Botanist
Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Ecological Services
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This posting is intended to fill up to three vacant positions. These positions are temporary from approximately May - September 2025.
This position exists to collaboratively collect and enter data on native plant communities as part of statewide ecological monitoring activities of the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS).
Job responsibilities include:
The incumbent will be in travel status for the majority of their time. Trips are typically organized into 7–10 days of consecutive field work followed by 2-4 days off work. These trips will include working over weekends and holidays. Requests for specific days off will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Travel costs are covered by DNR.
The incumbent will regularly work 10-14-hour field days. The first and last day of each trip may be especially long to accommodate travel time. The incumbent may be required to report to work as early as 6am and not leave work until as late as 10pm.
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Holly Bernardo at holly.bernardo@state.mn.us or 651-259-5043.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Ecological Services
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
- Job ID: 84307
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: No
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Limited
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 2/21/2025
- Closing Date: 3/14/2025
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
- Division/Unit: Ecological & Water Resources
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: Yes, extensive travel statewide.
- Salary Range: $24.42 - $35.43 / hourly; $50,988 - $73,977 / annually
- Classified Status: Unclassified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
- End Date: 9/30/2025
- FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This posting is intended to fill up to three vacant positions. These positions are temporary from approximately May - September 2025.
This position exists to collaboratively collect and enter data on native plant communities as part of statewide ecological monitoring activities of the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS).
Job responsibilities include:
- Assist Project and Team leads with preparation for assigned tasks related to monitoring projects so that high quality data are collected at monitoring sites.
- To assist in executing monitoring efforts so that high quality data on plant species and other biotic and abiotic components of the environment are collected according to the monitoring protocol.
- To assist with the identification of plants collected from the field so that herbarium labels can be processed and the correct plant names can be entered into databases, and to enter field data into relevant databases, if time permits, so the data are available for analyses.
- Identifying plants that occur within the statewide monitoring plots.
The incumbent will be in travel status for the majority of their time. Trips are typically organized into 7–10 days of consecutive field work followed by 2-4 days off work. These trips will include working over weekends and holidays. Requests for specific days off will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Travel costs are covered by DNR.
The incumbent will regularly work 10-14-hour field days. The first and last day of each trip may be especially long to accommodate travel time. The incumbent may be required to report to work as early as 6am and not leave work until as late as 10pm.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in an ecological field of study such as ecology, plant ecology, forest ecology or a related field, OR - A minimum of one growing season (3-4 months during approx. May-Sept) of outdoor field experience in plant ecology within the natural habitats of MN or the upper Midwest that included using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species.
- Knowledge of the ecology of Minnesota's natural ecosystems, with emphasis on forested systems, plant ecology and/or plant taxonomy.
- Ability to identify tree species native to MN (must satisfactorily pass an identification exam of native trees).
- Experience collecting and pressing plant specimens for long-term preservation.
- Experience with geographic information systems (e.g. ArcGIS) software.
- Experience with word processing and spreadsheet software programs.
- Ability to navigate in remote areas using a compass, maps, and GPS equipment.
- Ability to maintain positive working relationships in an outdoor field setting, which frequently includes long distance travel by vehicle and often hiking or paddling long distances and working in rugged, uneven terrain, sometimes in wetlands and/or adverse weather conditions.
- Three growing seasons (9-12 months during approx. May-Sept) of outdoor field experience in plant ecological work within the natural habitats of MN or the upper Midwest that included using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species.
- Experience using the Minnesota DNR’s Native Plant Community Classification system to determine classification for natural habitats in MN.
- Accessioned 10 plant specimens into an herbarium (including collecting, identifying and pressing).
- Ability to accurately recording data into electronic data entry applications (e.g. Survey123).
- Experience using submeter GPS/GNSS devices (e.g., Trimble R1, Trimble R2, Juniper Geode) to collect data.
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
- Conflict of Interest Review
- Criminal History Check
- Education Verification
- Employment Reference / Records Check
- License / Certification Verification
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Holly Bernardo at holly.bernardo@state.mn.us or 651-259-5043.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include:
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
- Diabetes care
- Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
- Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
- Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
- Training, classes, and professional development
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
- A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
- Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
- Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Salary : $50,988 - $73,977
