Spring Field Technician 2027 - Cedar Creek

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site dormitory housing

Job summary

The Cedar Creek LTER is offering spring field tech positions for students and recent graduates. Roles involve starting as early as late March or early April and contributing to the start up and maintenance of field experiments.

Pay is $15.50 per hour, with on-site dormitory housing available to rent. Duties include assisting with field tasks and prescribed burning, with some evening or weekend work as needed.

Qualifications

• Ability to work outdoors.
• Driver's license is preferred but not required.
• Must be willing to have a flexible schedule, with some weekend and evening work.

Responsibilities

• Assist with various field research tasks, including experimental maintenance, mowing, etc.
• Assist with prescribed burning of experimental areas.
• Assist with monitoring and mop up activities after contract partners finish burning savanna fire units, including possible evening or weekend work.

Skills

Outdoor work ability

Flexible schedule

Weekend/evening work

Job description

Position Overview:

The Cedar Creek LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) has several opportunities for students and recent graduates to work as spring field techs. These positions could start as early as the end of March or beginning of April. As a spring field tech, you will be contributing to the start up and maintenance of ongoing and new field experiments. Pay is $15.50 per hour. On-site dormitory housing is available to rent.

Site and Research Overview

CCESR is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul (MN). Cedar Creek is endowed with a mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even abandoned agricultural fields. Cedar Creek LTER research examines ecological processes occurring from the individual physiological level to the ecosystem level in response to (1) a variety of climate change scenarios including elevated CO2, increased temperature, increased nitrogen deposition, biodiversity loss, and altered precipitation patterns; (2) land management practices including prescribed burning and agricultural production; and (3) varied land use histories. Some of these projects include the Big Biodiversity experiment, BioCON (Biodiversity, Carbon dioxide, and Nitrogen), and FAB (Forests And Biodiversity). Research is headed by a number of faculty from research institutions across the United States. These LTER projects are funded by the National Science Foundation and other sources. For more information about LTER please visit https://lternet.edu/.

Duties

• Assist with various field research tasks, including experimental maintenance, mowing, etc.
• Assist with prescribed burning of experimental areas.
• Assist with monitoring and mop up activities after our contract partners finish burning our savanna fire units. This will include evening or weekend work.

Qualifications

• Ability to work outdoors.
• Driver's license is preferred but not required.
• Must be willing to have a flexible schedule, with some weekend and evening work.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range:

$15.50 depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.