Assistant Invasive Species Coordinator

Title:                    Assistant Invasive Species Coordinator

Supervisor:        Invasive Species Coordinator

Location:              Windom Wetland Management District – Windom, MN

Salary:                   This is a limited term position compensated at $24.27 per hour, for up to 1,365 total hours over a 9-month term, which equates to approximately $3,681.11 per month.

Term of Position: April 27, 2026 to January 22, 2027; This position is supported through outside funding commitments and is subject to periodic reviews to confirm the continuation of funding. The role may include collaboration with our Development team to help ensure sustained support; however, ongoing employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding and partner commitments

Application Deadline: April 8, 2026; Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Position Summary:

This is a limited term position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC). American Bird Conservancy is a fast-growing, results-focused nonprofit seeking employees with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a difference for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, ABC achieves lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet’s fragile climate.

ABC is seeking an Assistant Invasive Species Coordinator to support the implementation of invasive species monitoring and control across US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS)-owned lands in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, with a primary focus on remnant prairie and grassland habitats. This position will be stationed at Windom Wetland Management District in Windom, MN and will function as a member of ABC’s Great Lakes Public Lands Team. 

The Assistant Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day field operations of a Windom-based invasive species strike team, assist with training and supervising seasonal field staff, and directly implement invasive species control using mechanical, manual, and chemical methods. This role works closely with the Invasive Species Coordinator, USFWS biologists, and ABC staff to ensure safe, effective, and well-documented field operations.

Primary Duties:

• Assist with planning and implementation of invasive species monitoring and control projects on USFWS lands.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of a seasonal invasive species strike team, ensuring field activities are completed safely and efficiently.
• Train season field staff in proper equipment operation, plant species identification, chemical application, and safety protocols (e.g., brush saws, backpack sprayers, ATVs/UTVs, trailering, and four-wheel drive operation).
• Conduct invasive species monitoring and site assessments including identification of native and invasive plant species.
• Enter, manage, and quality-check field data using ESRI applications and the USFWS Management Actions Database to support project tracking and reporting.
• Assist in preparation of annual reports summarizing acres monitored, treatment methods, and current and emerging invasive species threats.
• Develop a seasonal work plan for the strike team in coordination with the Invasive Species Coordinator and USFWS staff.
• Maintain a pesticide applicator license and other required certifications to implement invasive species control treatments and operate USFWS equipment.
• Operate brush saws, backpack sprayers, and other hand and power tools to physically conduct invasive species control.
• Participate in and help organize at least one public volunteer event focused on invasive species removal on USFWS lands.
• Travel regularly within the project area.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and field experience.
• Demonstrated experience with invasive species monitoring and control, particularly in prairie or grassland ecosystems.
• Ability to identify native and invasive plant species to the species level.
• Experience operating field equipment including brush saws, backpack sprayers, and ATVs/UTVs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain pesticide applicator licenses in Minnesota and Iowa.
• Experience working with GIS-enabled field data collection tools (i.e., ESRI FieldMaps, QuickCapture, Survey123, or similar platforms).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including working occasional evenings and weekends. ABC has a generous flex time policy.
• Willingness and ability to perform strenuous outdoor work in a wide range of conditions (i.e. high heat or near-freezing temperatures, variable weather conditions, biting and stinging insects, ticks, poisonous plants, uneven terrain).
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Authorized to work in the US or Permanent Resident.
• Occasional air and car travel may be required with this position.
• Background screening required.
• All remote and hybrid employees are required to have a stable and high-speed internet service provider in place prior to beginning work for ABC. Our distributed work force relies heavily on cloud technologies, Zoom, and other automations to successfully complete our day to day work. The ideal speeds are 30-40 Mbps for downloads and 10-15 Mbps for uploads.
  • You may be required to use your personal cell phone to access ABC systems remotely.

Benefits:

American Bird Conservancy fosters a mission-driven, collaborative, and supportive workplace where staff are respected, empowered, and connected by a shared purpose. ABC offers strong benefits, a 35-hour work week, generous leave policies, and flexible, remote-friendly work arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.

• Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc.
• Paid vacation days (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year of employment), paid holidays (including both US holidays and additional ABC holidays) and sick leave.
• Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home where applicable.
• Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.