Forest Pest [Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar)] Surveyor - Agricultural Technician

Job Details

Working Title: Forest Pest [Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) Surveyor
Job Class: Agricultural Technician
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job ID: 83443
• Location: St. Paul; Minnesota Northwest Area; Various; Minnesota Northeast Area; Minnesota Central Area; Minnesota Southeast Area; Statewide
• Telework/Remote Work Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Intermittent
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 02/03/2025
• Closing Date: 02/28/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Division/Unit: Plant Protection Division / Plant Pest Mitigation & Regulatory Response Section / Spongy Moth Unit
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / Various
• Days of Work: Varies
• Travel Required: Yes - Travel daily within route, return to home office daily.
• Salary Range: $20.21/hour
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 218 - Commissioner's Plan
• Start Date: Southern Region: 05/13/2025, Northern Region: 05/27/2025
• End Date: Southern Region: 08/29/2025, Northern Region: 10/09/2025 (end dates are approximate)
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

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.

Job Summary

This announcement will be used to fill approximately 21 Forest Pest [Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar)] Surveyor positions for the MDA’s annual Spongy Moth Trapping Survey. The European Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is a human nuisance and a serious threat to Minnesota’s forests and urban trees and shrubs. Once established, the caterpillars cause costly and extensive defoliation damage during outbreaks. The trapping survey will allow us to detect and monitor for the pest early on, identify potential problem areas, and provide data necessary to make future management decisions to slow the spread of this invasive insect into the State of Minnesota.

Job duties include assembling, setting, monitoring and removing up to 800 cardboard detection traps. Surveyors will each be assigned a route that is reasonably accessible from their home office location (where they live). Surveyors collect data using a GPS-enabled tablet (training provided) and report daily to a lead worker.

The majority of the positions filled will be designated as remote worker positions which is defined as, an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location. Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota. However, applicants in WI or IA that are located relatively close to the MN survey project area will be considered. For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf

These are “intermittent” positions, which means survey staff work when we need them to. We need survey staff working full time during the trap set, midseason trap check, and trap removal periods. There is unpaid leave between each of these periods. Workdays will typically be as follows:

Southern Region*: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be approximately 5 weeks of intermittent scheduled unpaid leave during the season for approximately 11 total weeks of employment (over a 16-week period).

Northern Region*: Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be approximately 7 weeks of intermittent scheduled unpaid leave during the season for approximately 13 total weeks of employment (over a 20-week period).

Mandatory trainings will be held on the following dates:

Southern Region*: May 13 - 15, 2025

Northern Region*: May 27 – 29, 2025

Approximate end dates:

Southern Region*: 08/29/2025

Northern Region*: 10/9/2025

Counties of residence where we are seeking applicants: Aitkin, Anoka, S.E. Beltrami, Benton, E. Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, N. Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, E. Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Le Sueur, E. McLeod, E. Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, E. Sibley, E. Stearns, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright

Refer to the survey map located at the bottom of the posting.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

High school diploma or GED.

Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.

The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

A background in biology or related field.

Previous field survey and data collection experience.

The ability to work well independently with minimal supervision and with others as a team.

The ability to prioritize, set goals and meet deadlines.

Good interpersonal skills and ability to explain assigned activities to any interested party.

The ability to navigate using paper maps and/or GPS-enabled mapping applications.

Attention to detail.

Good written communication to record all relevant data and report findings.

Physical Requirements

The ability to transport up to 20 pounds by hand.

The ability to drive for prolonged periods of time.

The ability to drive on all kinds of roads up to 250 miles per day.

The ability to get in and out of a vehicle up to 60 times per day.

The ability to navigate to and move to survey sites (25-60 per day) within a designated route to set, monitor and remove traps under various weather conditions and terrain quickly and efficiently. Some positions will require extensive movement in rough wooded terrain.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Driver’s License Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Application Details

How to Apply

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 the position, contact Natasha Northrop at natasha.northrop@state.mn.us, 651-201-6692 (office) or 651-341-6158 (cell; texts accepted).

About Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The MDA's mission is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment and the strength of our agricultural economy.

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

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.