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Title:  Vegetation Structure and Bee Crew Leader (Hourly Science Assistant)

Description: 

Requisition Id: 3790 

Hourly Pay Rate: $19.45

Hourly Pay Grade: H6 

Expected Work Schedule:

Job Location:  Clinton Office (CLINT1) 

Closing Date: February 28, 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 a crew leader 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.  This position start date is April 1, 2025 and runs until Augus t31, 2025 (both start and end dates can be flexible). 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. The crew leader will work with the grassland ecologist in supervising a field crew (4 technicians) 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). Housing is available for the duration of this position.  

Essential Job Duties

  • Lead and supervise the vegetation structure crew (4 technicians) in intensive field sampling of vegetation structure using a range of methods for measuring vegetation structure (e.g., vertical cover board, Daubenmire frame), as well as deploying temperature and relative humidity data loggers on areas during sampling. 
  • Supervise the collection and sampling of planthopper, grasshopper, and bee communities with a variety of methods.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a crew leader depending upon daily assignment.
  • Ability to work and assist with GPS and GIS technology to map and locate monitoring points.
  • Maintain and assist with data quality control, data entry and database management.
  • Assist the grassland ecologist in gearing up for the field season and training crew members prior to the start of collecting data in mid-May.
  • 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.
  • Maintain crew adherence to protocols with limited supervision.
  • 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 are lab focused (e.g., working with herbarium samples, identification of collected/vouchered specimens). 

Ancillary Job Duties

  • Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

  • Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
  • 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).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Able to walk over 3 miles per day under varying habitat and weather conditions typical of western Missouri in summer.
  • Capable of working cooperatively with others, as well as working independently with little daily supervision.
  • Experience with some word processing (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint) and database software (Excel or Access).
  • Hard-working, enthusiastic, and in good physical condition,
  • Can communicate well with other co-workers, crews, local wildlife biologists, and landowners,
  • Experience and/or knowledge of GIS (i.e., ARCMAP) and GPS technologies, can collect accurate field data with legible writing and attention to detail, experience and/ or knowledge of prairie/grassland systems.
  • Can maintain and operate field equipment in a safe and responsible manner, experience using UTVs and ATVs, and driving 4x4 truck while towing UTV/ATV trailer (helpful but not required; training will be provided).
  • Experience with vegetation sampling and field research (helpful but not required),
  • Experience working with cattle, avian identification by sight and sound, insect collection and identification (helpful but not required).
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving 4-wheel drive trucks, hauling ATVs on trailers, and backing trailers (a field vehicle is provided).
  • Ability to travel statewide and stay overnight

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.
  • Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
  • Concentrated attention is required at all times.
  • Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

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

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