Pollinator Crew Lead

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Pollinator Crew Leads will work together to lead a team of AmeriCorps interns and volunteers to sample butterflies, bumble bees, and vegetation at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to support an ongoing inventory project. In addition to RMNP, the Crew Leads will provide fieldwork and technical support for other NPS pollinator projects within the continental U.S. as needed. Fieldwork at RMNP will be conducted from approximately April to October 2027. The results will support management decisions and conservation efforts at national park units. Prior to field season, the Crew Leads will assist the Principal Investigator (PI) to develop and refine protocols, test field equipment, and train the field crew. After field season, they will assist with data analysis, compiling the results, presenting the results to various audiences, and report writing. This is a one-year position.

These positions are housed within the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department at Colorado State University. The crew leads will work with the national park pollinator inventory team housed within the Mola Bee Lab. The crew leads will work closely with the National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring Division based in Fort Collins, CO. Fieldwork will be conducted primarily at RMNP from 7,000-12,000 ft at sites that include montane and subalpine meadows, alpine tundra, riparian, and forest edge habitats.

Links:

• Forest and Rangeland Stewardship - Warner College of Natural Resources
• People - The Mola Lab
• Inventory and Monitoring Division (U.S. National Park Service)
  

Application Deadline:

The deadline to apply for these positions is Friday, November 6 at 5:00 pm MT. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Essential Job Duties:

• Train and oversee a crew of four AmeriCorps interns working on an inventory of pollinators and vegetation at Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Provide clear instructions and create a welcoming space for interns and volunteers working on the project.
• Provide daily assignments to crew members during field season.
• Enter data and provide QA/QC for all data products and deliverables.
• Travel to other pollinator project sites within the continental U.S. to assist with data collection.
• Train NPS staff on pollinator field protocols, including Bumble Bee Atlas and monarch inventory protocols.
• Assist with writing technical reports and journal articles.
• Complete all assigned safety training and enforce compliance with safety protocols among crew members.
• Provide regular progress updates to PI.
• Present the results of the project to park staff, public audiences, and the larger scientific community.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass a motor vehicle background check and safely operate field vehicles.
• The Crew Lead should plan to live on-site in park housing from the beginning of May through the end of October 2027 (housing at McGraw Ranch in Estes Park, CO). Pets are not allowed in park housing; arrangements should be made for extended pet care during field season, if applicable.
• Ability to travel; the Crew Lead should expect to travel to sites outside of Colorado up to 20% of their time.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and pass a motor vehicle background check.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future is not available.

The ability to live in park housing during field season and to travel out-of-state for additional fieldwork is a requirement of this position and is non-negotiable. The successful candidate will be expected to acquire a CSU travel credit card.

Supervision:

• No direct reports. Position provides day-to-day direction to AmeriCorps interns during field season.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Ecology; Biology; Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology; Natural Resource Management; Entomology; Environmental Sciences; or related field.
• Experience working outside collecting natural resource data.
• Experience identifying native plants and insects.
• At least two seasons of natural resource data collection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience collaborating with federal agencies.
• Field experience above 8,000 ft in elevation.
• Experience and/or training in identification of Colorado bumble bees and/or butterflies.
• Experience and/or training in identification of native Colorado plants.
• Experience training others in field protocols and techniques.
• Familiarity with bumble bee conservation issues in Colorado.
• Experience with Bumble Bee Atlas survey methods.

Additional Information:

• Search Contact: Michelle Boone, michelle.boone@colostate.edu.

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

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, 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.

• 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, 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.

A World Class Research University, Committed to Excellence and Engagement.

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.

Prospective Employees, click here to learn more about CSU's perks and purpose.

Already a Ram?

Current employees will need to apply for jobs in Workday.