Greater Banded Hornet (GBH) Biological Technician

Colorado State University; Santa Rita (GU); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands seeks a GBH Biological Technician stationed on Guam. The role focuses on invasive hornet management, radio telemetry, and field data collection to protect island ecosystems.

You will work with a team to monitor environments, maintain honeybee hives, and operate field equipment while following safety protocols and DoD access rules. A background in natural resources and GIS is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; 1+ year of professional fieldwork or natural resources experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in botany, horticulture, biology, ecology or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Field sampling and radio telemetry tracking of GBH; maintain honeybee hives and conduct surveys for threatened species.
• Invasive species monitoring, vegetation clearing, trail maintenance and data collection.
• Operate and maintain field equipment (tools, radios, 4x4 vehicles) and manage data with GPS and ESRI tools.
• Ensure proper PPE use and pesticide handling per safety protocols.
• Coordinate with supervisors to schedule DoD access and report progress regularly.

Skills

Fieldwork

Data collection

GPS tracking

Radio telemetry

Pesticide handling

Education

High school diploma / GED

Bachelor’s degree in botany, horticulture, biology, ecology

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

MS Excel

GPS units

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary: The Greater Banded Hornet (GBH) Biological Technician position is with the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) and is duty‑stationed on Guam, in compliance with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mariana Islands Training and Testing Biological Opinion of 2015 and the Navy‑funded Project Statement of Work that implements regional biosecurity measures to prevent introduction and promote control and management of invasive species. The majority of the work will be conducted on U.S. military installations, but a military affiliation is not required to apply for this position. Guam has a substantial military presence consisting of three major military installations – Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz. Each year, major military training exercises are conducted within the Joint Region Marianas Area of Responsibility (JRM AOR) where large quantities of military equipment and other materials are transported into Guam and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Due to the sensitive ecological balance of island ecosystems, including the Mariana Islands, CEMML provides support to implement biosecurity measures within the JRM AOR to prevent unintentional biological introductions and to detect, control, and manage non‑native species that have already become established. The GBH Biological Technician supports invasive greater banded hornet (Vespa tropica) management on military lands through control and eradication efforts, locating active nests using radio telemetry tracking, maintaining honeybee hives, data collection, vegetation clearing, and operation of field equipment. The technician will be part of a dynamic team of field technicians. The biological technician should be team‑oriented, maintain a positive attitude, and understand that continued employment is dependent on project funding. CEMML is a research, education and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

Essential Job Duties

• Field Work: Implement the GBH field sampling program under the direction of the CEMML Supervisory Entomologist, including radio telemetry tracking, honeybee hive maintenance, and surveys for Threatened and Endangered Species.
• Conduct invasive species monitoring and operational management activities, vegetation clearing, transect cutting, and trail maintenance within jungle environments.
• Operate and maintain field equipment including hand tools, chainsaws, weed and brush cutters, backpack sprayers, radios, smartphone applications, and 4×4 vehicles.
• Collect, document, and manage field data using GPS/GNSS devices (Trimble, Arrow, Garmin), ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, and photographic records.
• Perform data entry, data management, laboratory support, and field preparation activities; ensure proper pesticide PPE use, safe and accurate pesticide mixing, handling, storage, and recordkeeping while adhering to all CSU, CEMML, military installation environmental, and safety protocols.
• Reporting and Communication: Regularly and routinely communicate via in‑person meetings, tele/video conferences, and email to provide task and CEMML supervisors with progress updates and coordinate the scheduling of field activities.
• Coordinate closely with the task supervisor to schedule DoD authorizations to access work sites on military lands.
• Biosecurity: Provide rapid response to biosecurity issues related to GBH and other arthropods.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Supervision: No supervisory duties.

Conditions of Employment

• Legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date, CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑employment Criminal Background Check.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date; ability to drive a pickup truck, 4WD truck and ATV/UTV.
• Must be capable of walking several consecutive miles while carrying gear up to 35 pounds in a hot tropical environment on uneven terrain.
• Ability to take photographs and collect biological samples for identification.
• Must be able to work night and weekend work.
• Must be able to deploy from Guam to locations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
• Must be able to work in a culturally diverse office and respect all Team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• 1+ year(s) Professional work experience with landscaping, agriculture, pest‑control, or natural resources.
• Experience needs to be well‑documented and acquired under the employment of an academic institution, governmental agency, private company, or non‑profit organization in the appropriate field.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and accurately recording, entering, and proofing data.
• Demonstrated proficiency using field data collection applications, compasses, maps, data tablets, and GPS units.
• Experience conducting invasive species management utilizing chemical, cultural, biological and/or mechanical control techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in botany, horticulture, biology, ecology, or a closely related science.
• 2+ year(s) of experience with natural resource management, agricultural sciences, or invasive species management.
• Experience implementing methods for operational control of GBH or invertebrate pest species.
• Experience developing, implementing and overseeing invasive species program tasks.
• Apiary experience including hive maintenance, pest control, and transportation of hives.
• Experience working with and managing geospatial data in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
• Proficiency in MS Excel for basic statistical analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as evidenced by prior experience documenting field activities and writing technical reports and SOPs.
• Experience working in the Pacific Region or other tropical islands in the biological, natural resources, or agricultural fields.
• Experience working on a military installation and interacting with military staff, and familiarity with DoD/Navy environmental and safety regulations.
• Prior experience applying herbicide and/or insecticide, and the ability to obtain a Guam CORE pesticide applicator’s license.

Salary

Salary Range $50,000 - $60,000

Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world‑class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work‑life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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