Forest Pest Surveyor

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. 

A reliable vehicle is necessary for driving survey routes. Mileage is reimbursed at the current Federal mileage reimbursement rate. Surveyors in select routes may instead be issued a rental vehicle to complete all survey work for the season. 

Please include your FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS in your application. Check to see that your profile address is current and correct. If submitting a resume that has a different address than your profile has, please indicate which location you would like to be considered for. Your location(s) will be geocoded to see which route you are located in and also consider your proximity to neighboring routes.

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.  

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.