Description

Join the growing team of the Monarch Joint Venture, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving the monarch butterfly migration across North America. We are hiring one team of two field technicians who will work together to study monarch butterfly breeding and migratory habitat on private lands enrolled in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) within the states of KY, OH, and IN. Travel, lodging, and field logistics will be managed by the project team, with accommodations varying based on site locations (e.g., field housing, hotels, rental properties).

These are seasonal, full-time positions, approximately 40 hours per week, with the possibility of paid overtime, and benefits as required by law. Qualified candidates must be able to commit to the full term of the monitoring season, drive long distances with their field partner, and live away from home during the project dates. Technicians will travel extensively throughout the study area, primarily conducting drone surveys over monarch butterfly habitat as well as collecting biological data on monarch butterflies and their habitat, including milkweed, and other floral resources using an established monitoring protocol. Opportunities to support outreach events or professional training on monitoring protocols are also expected.

Field technicians will receive three weeks of paid training starting March 23, prior to the start of field surveys. This will likely include two weeks of virtual training and independent learning, and a week of in-person training. A shared field vehicle, fuel, and lodging costs are covered by the project grant. Field season lodging will include a combination of field housing and rental accommodations depending upon survey site location, moving among focal areas within KY, OH, and IN. Travel to and from the training and work area at the beginning and end of the field season, food, and additional personal travel costs are the responsibility of the employee. MJV will cover the cost of registering for a Part 107 training course (Remote Pilot Certification), which is to be completed by April 6 (before the start of the field season). 

Requirements

Essential Skills:

• Background in environmental science, biology, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, especially in remote field settings.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively engage with landowners, stakeholders, and team members, including comfort working in rural communities and engaging with landowners.
• Ability to work under physically demanding conditions, including long hours of fieldwork, exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures, rugged terrain, biting and stinging insects, and thorny or dense vegetation.
• Must be capable of traveling extensively across multiple states, including overnight stays, and managing travel logistics.
  Strong attention to detail for data collection and analysis.
• Interested in communicating scientific findings to a broad audience, including through education and outreach activities.
  Valid driver’s license and a safe driving record required.

Desired Skills:

• Experience using remote sensing technology, including UAVs (drones) for data collection. Part 107 certified pilot.
• Experience collecting plant and insect data or implementing other field monitoring protocols.
• Knowledge of milkweed and other plants relevant to pollinator conservation.
• Experience with GIS and navigating with a GPS or compass.
• Coursework or experience identifying plants and insects.