Environmental Technician

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Grand Portage (MN); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Environmental Technicians will assist the Department of Environment with environmental activities on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation.

Duties include invasive species monitoring, field surveys and collecting environmental data; helping with wetland monitoring and vegetation assessments; supporting water and air sampling efforts; assisting with ecosystem studies related to climate change; maintaining accurate field records and data.

Qualifications

• A two-year degree in environmental science, natural resources, or a related physical science is required.
• Experience with environmental fieldwork and sampling equipment (e.g., field vehicles) is helpful.
• Knowledge of local vegetation or a strong desire to learn is required.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability through RTC auto policy are required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with invasive species monitoring and field surveys.
• Collect environmental data and support water and air sampling.
• Assist with wetlands monitoring, vegetation assessments, and climate studies.
• Maintain accurate field records and data.
• Use GPS units and tablets to map invasive species locations and monitoring plots.
• Enter and organize data in spreadsheets and databases.
• Format and upload water quality and related data to EPA databases.

Skills

Environmental fieldwork

GPS mapping

Data entry

Education

Associate degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

GPS devices

Tablet data collection

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Location 83 Stevens Rd,Grand Portage, MN, 55605,United States
• Base Pay $17.94 / Hour
• Employee Type FT HOURLY

Contact information

• Name Human Resources
• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

Description

Environmental Technicians will assist the Department of Environment with environmental activities on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. Duties include invasive species monitoring, field surveys and collecting environmental data; helping with wetland monitoring and vegetation assessments; supporting water and air sampling efforts; assisting with ecosystem studies related to climate change; maintaining accurate field records and data. Additional environmental work may include wild rice seeding and monitoring, shoreline and riparian surveys, and broader environmental monitoring to support Tribal environmental protection and resource stewardship.

Positions involve field activities across multiple environmental programs, including invasive species, wetlands, air and water monitoring, and typically run from approximately May through October, depending on weather and project schedules.

Conduct field surveys for terrestrial and aquatic invasive species (plants, insects) in forests, wetlands, lakes, streams, and along roads, trails and shorelines within the Grand Portage Reservation and 1854 Ceded Territory.

Identify invasive and native species in the field using keys and field guides; collect and prepare voucher specimens as needed for expert confirmation.

Establish and re-visit permanent or semi-permanent monitoring plots and transects to track invasive species abundance, spread, and treatment effectiveness over time.

Assist with early detection and rapid response activities, including targeted surveys in high-risk areas such as boat launches, right of ways, campsites and disturbed areas

Use GPS units and tablets to map invasive species locations, treatment areas and monitoring plots

Enter, organize, and maintain invasive species and wetland monitoring data in spreadsheets, databases

Format and upload water quality, habitat, and macroinvertebrate data to EPA national databases, including the Water Quality Exchange (WQX)

Assist with implementation of invasive species control methods, including manual/mechanical removal (hand-pulling, cutting, digging), installation of tarps/smothering materials, or other non-chemical treatments

Assist the wetlands specialist and water quality staff with collection of water, sediment, vegetation, and biological data following approved protocols

Collect macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants, and related samples from wetland and near-shore habitats; preserve and label samples for laboratory identification

Collect data from field recording instruments (data loggers and sondes) and take on-site measurements of groundwater, surface water, sediments, aquatic and wetland vegetation, and shoreline habitat on waters within the Grand Portage reservation.

Record field measurements

Assist with deployment, operation, and maintenance of air quality monitoring equipment

Maintain and repair natural resources sampling equipment.

Learn and assist with emerging technologies such as drone-based imagery, remote sensing tools, and GIS mapping to support environmental monitoring and documentation

Work safely in remote outdoor environments, sometimes independently, following communication and check-in procedures

Conduct public outreach and education activities to the Grand Portage community.

Assist Biology program staff with wildlife, fisheries or vegetation surveys during collaborative projects.

Requirements

A two-year degree in environmental science, natural resources, or a related physical science, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant field experience is required.

Experience with environmental fieldwork and the use of sampling equipment and field vehicles, such as ATVs, canoes, and motorboats, is helpful.

Knowledge of local vegetation and insects, or a strong desire to learn, is required.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable through RTC auto policy.

Proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is preferred.

Interest in learning GIS mapping, drone operation, or other modern field technologies is considered an asset.