Driftless Insect Technician

Winona, Minnesota, USA

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Driftless Insect Technician performs a variety of routine tasks that assists the implementation of work plans within the business unit. The technician provides administrative assistance to program or preserve staff. They provide research assistance to a program or preserve tasks, project management and/or general assistance to program or preserve staff. They may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstance.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
The Driftless insect technician will perform a variety of routine tasks surveying and monitoring for insects and their host plants in small goat/bluff prairies in the southeast Minnesota driftless region. This position supports grant-funded research examining how management actions have affected the ecology of small, bluff-side prairies in the driftless. This grant involves several partner organizations and agencies, and the technician will be expected to interact with partners in a respectful manner throughout the summer. The driftless insect technician will work as part of a small team collecting data on the bluffs and is expected to regularly work independently after an introductory and training period.

The Technician will be largely fieldwork oriented and will often travel to field sites in Houston, Winona, and Fillmore counties in Southeast Minnesota regularly to follow protocols and collect data. This position could include some non-field tasks including data entry, data analysis, and GIS. Some administrative work organizing data and ensuring proper reporting is expected of technicians.
Anticipated start date of this position is May 12, 2025, the technician must work for 16 weeks after the start date (approx. August 29, 2025) to capture flight seasons of two native butterflies. The salary for this position is $19.00 per hour based on a 40-hour work week.

• Associate’s degree in natural resources; environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months’ experience.
• Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.

In addition, the following DESIRED skills and/or experiences would be an asset for this role but are not required

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and field experience with plants and insects, particularly some familiarity with upper midwestern or driftless species is considered a plus.
• Ability to perform with a minimum of supervision and work cooperatively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and make decisions in the field that prioritize staff safety.
• Willingness to work long and sometimes irregular hours under adverse environmental conditions.
• Ability to accurately collect and report data using standardized protocols and manage collected data to ensure proper reporting.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is $19.00 hourly rate. This only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 56393, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org

For position specific questions, contact Ellen Titus at ellen.titus@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.