Plant Community Specialist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Ecological Services

Working Title: Plant Community Specialist

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 06/01/2022
• Closing Date: 06/21/2022
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Natural Resources Dept
• Division/Unit: DNR Eco/Waters Cent Office / ECO Waters MBS Plant Eco&Bot
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday-Friday
• Travel Required: Yes-statewide travel required for ffield work
• Salary Range: $21.61 - $31.35/hourly
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MAPE/Professional
• Work Location: St. Paul
• Employment Condition: Limited, Full-Time
• FLSA Status; Exempt
• Connect 700 Program Eligible: No

This posting is to fill up to 2 temporary positions starting late Summer or Fall 2022 going through December 2023 with the possibility of an extension through Fall 2024.

This position will conduct daily field work during the summer of 2023, which will require: 1) long distance, over-night travel of 5-10 days at a time, 2) working longer than 8-hour days, and over weekends and holidays, and 3) hiking long distances while carrying significant equipment loads on rough, steep, wet, or uneven terrain through dense vegetation in all weather conditions.

This position exists to support Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) native plant community mapping and monitoring efforts through, 1) GIS (geographical information systems) mapping and data interpretation, and 2) field data collection, using standard methods, as part of statewide ecological survey and monitoring activities. This work will support MBS site and native plant community digitization, file maintenance, and delivery of data, files and associated map products.

Non-field season job responsibilities include:

• Digitize polygons for native plant communities and MBS sites of biodiversity significance using established MBS procedures, including review of aerial photography, field notes, soils maps and other resources.
• Organize and manage polygon features and related attribute information using ArcGIS tools such as merge, split, and file naming and organization standards of the DNR Native Plant Community Polygons Database Application.
• Use relevant GIS applications, extensions, tools and scripts, as qualified.
• Maintain secure paper and electronic files of native plant communities and MBS sites and associated documentation.

Field season job responsibilities include:

• Assist MBS staff conducting field work, primarily with the Ecological Monitoring Network (EMN).
• Identify plant species, collect plant specimens (for identification purposes or for documenting new rare species records and county records), collect high quality vegetation data, and collect data on other biotic and abiotic components of the environment according to established protocols.
• Hike or otherwise travel to and from precise sampling locations that are often remote by orienteering using GPS, maps, aerial photos, compass, and visual clues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related field OR, five years of directly related experience that includes field work in natural habitats.
• Knowledge of MN ecosystems (e.g., forests, woodlands, swamps, bogs, prairies, fens, and/or wet meadows).
• Field experience with plant species with an emphasis on species identification and ecology.
• Experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS).
• Experience using remote navigation devices (e.g., GPS unit).
• Ability to accurately collect data and document methods with good attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with broad audiences, often from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work collaboratively in the office and in the field with colleagues and partners, often from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to travel long distances by vehicle, hike long distances with field equipment and personal gear, and work in rugged, uneven terrain, sometimes in wetlands and/or adverse weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct field experience in tallgrass prairie habitats with plant species characteristic of Western or Southwestern Minnesota (e.g., doing floristic surveys of native vegetation).

• Direct field experience in bluff prairie, wetland and/or woodland habitats with plant species characteristic of Central and Southeastern Minnesota (e.g., doing floristic surveys of native vegetation).

• Direct field experience using the DNR’s “Field Guide to Native Plant Communities of Minnesota.”

• Experience with interpretation of vegetation types from aerial imagery.

• Experience using dichotomous keys to identify plant species.

• Field experience under challenging conditions where there is the potential for adverse weather conditions, long days, biting insects, overnight travel, and carrying heavy packs

• Experience with field data collection applications (e.g., Survey123, Arc Collector, and Field Maps for ArcGIS).

• Experience with office database/data entry software (e.g., Excel spreadsheets).

• Advanced experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, for example creation and management of spatial layers in a geodatabase, familiarity with map topology principles, ability to QA/QC data for gaps, overlaps and slivers.

• Understanding of geographic terminology, coordinate systems, map projections, and familiarity with basic cartographic tools needed to create high quality map products.

Physical Requirements

Occasionally lifting articles such as 50-pound bags and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

*This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License with a clear driving record*

This position requires successful completion of the following:

It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

Why Work For Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year

Our goal as an employer is to actively recruit, welcome and support a workforce, which is diverse and inclusive of people who are underrepresented in the development of State of Minnesota policies, programs and practices, so that we can support the success and growth of all people.

We are proud to operate within a Culture of Respect that provides a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees. This means that our employees are respectful to one another and to our customers. We believe that promoting a Culture of Respect allows our employees to do their best work in support of the agency’s mission.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Holly Bernardo at holly.bernardo@state.mn.us or 651-259-5048

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.