Natural Resources Job Board

 

We seek 2 full-time, temporary technicians to assist with scouting, trapping, capturing and handling, attaching transmitters, and tracking greater prairie-chickens for a study of landscape use, and hen, nest, and brood survival in Minnesota. Duties will include scouting for leks, constructing and setting live traps, trapping in the very early morning (and possibly evening), recording measurements, carefully collecting and entering data, navigating to field sites, maintaining equipment, tracking birds, monitoring nests and broods, and collecting habitat data. The prairie field sites occur in rural areas with few services. Expect snowstorms, variable weather, bugs, minimal road maintenance, difficult terrain, and unreliable cell phone reception. Hours and days of work will vary depending on weather conditions, but will generally not exceed 40 hrs/week. A field vehicle will be provided to perform work duties. Housing is provided at nearby college dorms/facilities. 

Trapping requires beginning the workday very early to be in blinds before sunrise, so technicians must be able to drive and work in the very early morning hours. Ideal candidates will possess an exceptional work ethic, the ability to work alone and with others, comfort in remote settings and small communities, and persistence working in difficult conditions. Candidates must be in excellent physical condition and willing to hike or snowshoe across difficult terrain for distances of over a mile.  

The anticipated dates for these 2 temporary positions are March 20, 2026 through Aug 11, 2026. Pay is $21.36/hr. Hours and days of work will vary depending on weather conditions but will not exceed 40 hours/week. We are hiring 10 additional, shorter-term technicians (dates of employment March 20, 2026 through May 19, 2026) through a separate job posting on the Minnesota Careers website (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/) that will trap prairie chickens in the spring. You must apply separately on the Minnesota Careers website if you want to be considered for the shorter-term position as well. These positions differ in their end dates, but the job duties are the same during the March-May trapping season. 

 

Strong work ethic with a positive attitude. 

Willingness to work long hours in difficult field conditions with minimal supervision. 

Experience navigating in the field using maps and GPS units. 

A valid driver’s license, good driving record, and experience navigating on rough and remote roads. 

Physical ability to walk up to 8 miles a day, over difficult terrain, while carrying <25 lbs. 

Job experience in wildlife field techniques collecting biological data responsibly and safely, including under challenging field conditions (e.g., cold, heat, rain, deep snow), sometimes for long days and under a varying schedule (e.g., early mornings, late nights). 

Experience following written protocols. 

Job experience carefully and accurately entering scientific data onto datasheets or into databases. 

Communication skills sufficient to communicate technical information and record field data. 

Ability to work effectively and courteously with DNR staff and members of the public, including private landowners and hunters. 

Computer proficiency, including job experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. 

Experience operating 4WD pick-up trucks on minimally maintained roads in snow and mud. 

Ability to safely handling wild birds for marking purposes. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Job experience handling prairie-chickens or other wild grouse. 

Job experience with radio-telemetry homing. 

Experience independently troubleshooting and resolving problems. 

 

To apply: 

Submit a cover letter addressing each of the preferred and required qualifications, resume that specifically addresses each qualification, and three references (name, telephone, and E-mail) as a single attachment on the Minnesota Careers site https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/. Applications must be received by 12 Nov 2025.