Grassland Monitoring Technician

The Grassland Monitoring Technician will be an integral part of a long-term Adaptive Management project aimed at improving the condition of the plant communities on TNC’s native prairie preserves. The Technician will also participate in a habitat assessment project for the federally threatened Dakota skipper butterfly. The position start date is flexible, with an ideal date of June 17, 2024, and the Technician will work for 10 weeks from start date.

The Technician will gain exposure to two science and conservation initiatives within our chapter’s grassland ecosystems. TNC is working with partners to evaluate broad changes in condition of native grasslands in response to grazing and fire. The project is a collaborative effort in which multiple agencies and organizations have overlapping goals (TNC, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, USFWS, etc.). Partners in this work are coordinating sampling to compare data and management practices across ownerships throughout the prairie region. With the assistance of the Technician, TNC will revisit sites on which management has been implemented to measure the outcomes. The Technician will fill a critical role in helping our chapter to close the adaptive management loop in our grassland conservation work. The Technician will also spend time contributing to monitoring outcomes for the impacts of fire on habitat quality for the federally threatened Dakota skipper butterfly. For both of these projects, the Technician will have the opportunity to travel to many of TNC’s preserves across Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota experiencing first-hand the beauty of many high-quality native prairie landscapes.

Strong field botanical skills and experience conducting field sampling are desired. Experience working in grasslands or other terrestrial ecosystems of the upper Midwest or Great Plains is a plus. After a training period, the Grassland Monitoring Technician will be in the field during the day working independently from their direct supervisor on a team of two. Therefore, the Technician should be able to work well with others as well as independently. The most important qualifications are enthusiasm for working outdoors and the desire to learn. A valid driver’s license and good driving record are required.