Position InformationClassification TitleTemporary HourlyEmployment CategoryTemporaryIs this an Hourly position?YesWork Hours/Week0-40Overtime Eligible?YesPosition LocationFort Collins, CO 80523Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work?NoDescription of Work UnitThe Colorado Natural Heritage Program ( CNHP ) is Colorado’s primary biological conservation information center housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. CNHP is a key player in Colorado’s conservation of open lands and maintains the only centralized conservation database in Colorado that includes plants, animals, and natural communities. The staff consists of approximately 40 highly experienced biologists and information managers with expertise in inventory, research, and monitoring of Colorado’s flora, fauna, plant communities, and conservation issues. CNHP serves a wide variety of users including federal, state and local agencies, consultants, environmental groups, non-government organizations, private landowners, and the public. CNHP’s annual revenue is approximately 6 million dollars and is generated from contracts and agreements through CNHP’s partners and clients. CNHP generally works on over 50 conservation projects per year. To learn more about CNHP’s mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/.Search Contact [email protected] SummaryUp to 12 Conservation Biology Technicians will be hired to collect field data in support of CNHP’s Statewide Natural Heritage Survey of biodiversity and related projects. Field work will take place across Colorado. Specific technicians will focus on one or more of the following: upland rare plants and vegetation, wetland rare plants and vegetation, vertebrates and/or invertebrates. Standard duties will involve planning logistics for 4 to 8-day field hitches; driving and hiking to field sites; detailed completion of field forms; and communication with project partners. The position involves extensive travel, camping in remote settings, and long 10+ hour field days. The position requires experience with fieldwork. Experience working in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain West, and/or Great Plains is preferred. A valid driver’s license for travel between sites is required, as is the ability to hike and navigate to field sites. These positions are supervised by permanent CNHP staff across multiple teams.For more information about these projects, please visit https://cnhp.colostate.edu/aboutus/careers/employment/.Position Minimum Qualifications
Coursework in botany, ecology, natural resources, range management, or related field.
Experience collecting field data.
Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel extensively during the field season, share living quarters in rustic field housing, bunkhouses, and car camping, and potentially backpack and hike long distances (up to 10 miles / day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs).
Willingness and ability to work with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather (30–110° F), biting insects, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety.
Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and to maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to work both independently with guidance and effectively in a team.
Ability to hike and navigate to field sites.
Have or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license.
Experience with using dichotomous keys and/or field guides, familiarity with the major plant families, and/or knowledge of western flora or fauna.
Preferred Qualifications
B.S. or B.A. degree in ecology, botany, watershed science, natural resources, range management, forestry, or related field.
Specific field experience in one or more of the following areas: rare plants, wetland or upland vegetation, small mammals, invertebrates, and/or amphibians.
Experience interpreting aerial photography (e.g., Google Earth), navigating with a topographic map, and use of GPS .
Experience with various sampling techniques (vegetation sampling or animal trapping).
Experience driving 4×4 vehicles on rough roads and camping in remote locations.
Experience collecting data electronically using tablets or other devices.
Experience working in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain West, or Plains Ecosystems.
Posting DetailsWorking TitleConservation Biology TechniciansPosting Number202500077TDepartmentColorado Natural Heritage ProgramSalary Range$19-24/hr. $60.00/day per diem & gear reimbursement when traveling beyond base location. Total reimbursement = $395-455/two-week hitch.Employee BenefitsColorado 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.
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Close Date05/30/2025Special Instructions to ApplicantsEmail a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. References will be requested for applicants that move forward in the process. In your cover letter, please indicate which discipline(s) you are interested in: upland rare plants and vegetation, wetland rare plants and vegetation, vertebrates and/or invertebrates. Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. 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.Background Check Policy StatementColorado 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.EEOColorado 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.Essential Job DutiesJob Duty CategoryField Data CollectionDuty/Responsibility Planning logistics for 4 to 8-day field hitches. Using GPS and provided maps, navigating to and from sites via paved roads, dirt roads, hiking trails, and off-trail travel through dense vegetation and across long distances. Collecting data on rare plants, wetland or upland vegetation, small mammals, invertebrates, and/or amphibians following set protocols. Reviewing collected data to ensure accuracy and completeness.Percentage Of Time85Job Duty CategoryTrainingDuty/Responsibility Attending field training, reading field manuals, and learning to follow detailed field protocols.Percentage Of Time5Job Duty CategoryCommunicationDuty/Responsibility Communicating with public and private land managers when performing field surveys.Percentage Of Time5Job Duty CategoryAdministrativeDuty/Responsibility Data entry and other duties as needed.Percentage Of Time5ReferencesMinimum References RequiredMaximum References RequiredDocuments Needed To ApplyRequired Documents
Resume
Optional Documents