Little Fire Ant Control (LFA) Biological Technician

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Little Fire Ant Control Biological Technician position is with the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at CSU and is based on Guam. You will conduct ant surveys, chemical treatments, data collection, vegetation clearing and operate field equipment.

Team oriented work in hot tropical environments with adherence to environmental and safety protocols is required; a high school diploma and field experience are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• One year of professional work experience in landscaping, pest-control, or natural resources.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and accurately recording data.
• Proficiency with field data collection apps, compasses, maps, and GPS units.
• Experience with invasive species management using chemical, biological, or mechanical methods.

Responsibilities

• Field sampling and invasive species monitoring under supervision.
• Conduct vegetation clearing and transect work; maintain trails.
• Operate and maintain field tools including chainsaws and backpack sprayers.
• Take photographs and log data with location and date.
• Use GPS/GNSS (Trimble/Arrow/Garmin) and ESRI tools to collect and manage data.
• Assist with surveys for Threatened and Endangered Species.
• Follow CSU, CEMML and military environmental/safety protocols.
• Data entry, lab work, and prep of field gear; manage PPE and safe chemical handling.

Skills

Field data collection

GPS data collection

Pest management

Teamwork

Safety-conscious

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

B.S. degree in biology or related field

Tools

GPS devices (Trimble/Arrow/Garmin)

ESRI Field Maps

Survey123

Data collection apps

Pesticide PPE & safety equipment

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Little Fire Ant Control (LFA) 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 US 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 US 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 Little Fire Ant Control Biological Technician supports invasive little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata management on military lands through ant surveys, chemical treatments, data collection, vegetation clearing, and operation of field equipment such as chainsaws and bush cutters.

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 field sampling program under direction of LFA Task Lead Biologist and CEMML Supervisory Entomologist.
  • Conduct a variety of invasive species monitoring and operational management activities.
  • Vegetation clearing, transect cutting and trail maintenance within jungle areas.
  • Operate and maintain tools and equipment, which may include but is not limited to, hand tools, chainsaws, weed and brush-cutters, backpack sprayers, radios, smartphone applications, and 4×4 trucks.
  • Take photographs and log appropriately (location, date, and content).
  • Use GPS and GNSS devices (Trimble, Arrow, Garmin) to collect data and transfer to appropriate programs; Utilize ESRI Field Maps and Survey123 to collect and manage field data.
  • Assist with surveys for Threatened and Endangered Species.
  • Follow all CSU, CEMML and military installation environmental and safety protocols.
  • Data entry and management, lab work, prepping supplies and gear for field work; maintain proper pesticide PPE, safe and accurate pesticide mixing, handling, storage, and record keeping.
• Reporting and Communication
  • Regularly and routinely communicate via in-person meetings, tele/video conferences, and email to provide Task Lead Biologist and CEMML Supervisors with progress updates and coordinates to schedule field activities.
  • Coordinate closely with the Task Lead Biologist to schedule DoD authorizations to access work sites on military lands.
• Biosecurity
  • Provide rapid response to biosecurity issues related to invasive insects.
• Other related 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 in good physical condition, and 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 in a culturally diverse office and respect all Team members.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• One (1) year of 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:

• B.S. degree in biology, zoology, ecology, wildlife sciences, botany, agriculture, or a closely related science.
• More than two (2) years’ work experience with natural or agricultural resources.
• Experience implementing methods for control of little fire ants or other insect species.
• Experience working in Micronesia, Hawaii or other tropical environments in the biological, natural resources, or agricultural fields.
• Experience working on military installations and interacting with military staff, and familiarity with DOD/Navy environmental and safety regulations.
• Possession of Guam CORE pest control applicator’s license, or equivalent from qualifications from other States.

Salary Range

$40,000-$50,000

Required Application Documents

• Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee 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,CSUis 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.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

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,CSUconducts 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.