Title: Vegetation Structure and Bee Crew (Hourly Resource Science Aide)
Requisition Id: 3752
Hourly Pay Rate: $16.06
Hourly Pay Grade: H4
Expected Work Schedule:
Job Location: Clinton Office (CLINT1)
Closing Date: April 30, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, Thomas R Thompson , at Tom.Thompson@mdc.mo.gov or call 660 8858179x240 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.
Summary/Objective
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is looking to hire 4 Resource Science Aides to assist in the collection of field data related to evaluating patch burn grazing with cattle on 5 native tallgrass prairie study areas in west-central Missouri. Patch burn grazing with cattle is used as a management technique in Missouri to create spatial patchiness or heterogeneity in vegetation structure and related characteristics that are important to a wide variety of prairie species. Technicians will work with the grassland ecologist and crew leader in the collection of spatially explicit estimates of vegetation structure and related characteristics, as well as species responses to this management (sampling of planthopper, grasshopper, and bee communities).
Essential Job Duties
- Intensive field sampling of vegetation structure using a range of methods for measuring vegetation structure (i.e., Nudd’s vertical cover board, Daubenmire frame).
- Identification of 25 tracked plant species, and documenting growth, development, and percent cover.
- Develop skills and become proficient in identification of 100+ prairie plants to species that are look-alikes to the 25 plant species of interest.
- Deploying temperature and relative humidity data loggers on areas during sampling.
- Using a variety of sampling methods for planthopper, grasshopper, and bee communities.
- Ability to work both independently and as a crew depending upon daily assignment.
- Will use GPS and GIS technology to map sites, and will assist with data entry and database management.
- Maintain adherence to protocols with limited supervision.
- Maintain the accuracy of and availability to information in various databases.
- Provide limited scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
- Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
- Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
- this position is field work focused, although there will be opportunities that arelab focused (e.g., working with herbarium samples, identification of collected/vouchered specimens).
Ancillary Job Duties
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Must be working towards or have completed a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, or related field (e.g., Wildlife, Fisheries, Forestry, or Biological Sciences).
- A valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate ATV, UTV, and trailer backing skills desired.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and Access.
- Ability to work independently and in a group.
- Ability to travel and stay overnight frequently.
- Knowledge of applicable software, including ArcMap GIS software and GPS.
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members, landowners, and the public.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and perform data entry with an attention to detail.
- Experience working with cattle, avian identification by sight and sound, insect collection and identification (helpful but not required).
- Experience with vegetation sampling and field research (helpful but not required),
- Can maintain and operate field equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
- Must be hard-working and enthusiastic.
- Experience and/ or knowledge of prairie/grassland systems.
- Able to walk over 3 miles per day under varying habitat and weather conditions typical of western Missouri in summer.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Kansas City