Pollinator Crew Lead

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

7d•$55,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Pollinator Crew Leads work together to lead AmeriCorps interns and volunteers collecting data on butterflies, bumble bees, and vegetation at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) for an ongoing inventory project. They also provide fieldwork and technical support for other National Park Service pollinator projects within the continental United States as needed. RMNP fieldwork is conducted approximately April through October 2027, and this is a one-year position. Before the field season, Crew Leads assist the Principal Investigator with developing and refining protocols, testing field equipment, and training the field crew. After the season, they help analyze data, compile and present results to different audiences, and write reports. The work supports management decisions and conservation efforts at national park units. The position is housed in Colorado State University's Forest and Rangeland Stewardship Department. Crew Leads work with the national park pollinator inventory team in the Mola Bee Lab and collaborate closely with the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division in Fort Collins, Colorado. Fieldwork is primarily at RMNP, at elevations of 7,000–12,000 feet in montane and subalpine meadows, alpine tundra, riparian areas, and forest-edge habitats. The Crew Lead should plan to live in park housing at McGraw Ranch in Estes Park from early May through the end of October 2027 and may travel out of state for additional fieldwork up to 20% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Biology, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Entomology, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
Experience collecting natural-resource data outdoors.
Experience identifying native plants and insects.
At least two seasons of natural-resource data collection.
Valid driver's license and ability to pass a motor vehicle background check.
Ability to safely operate field vehicles.
Ability to live in park housing during the field season and travel out of state for additional fieldwork.
Ability to travel, with out-of-state travel expected up to 20% of the time.
Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States; work-authorization sponsorship is unavailable.
Must acquire a Colorado State University travel credit card.

Nice To Haves

Experience collaborating with federal agencies.
Field experience above 8,000 feet in elevation.
Experience or training identifying Colorado bumble bees and/or butterflies.
Experience or training identifying 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.

Responsibilities

Train and oversee four AmeriCorps interns conducting a pollinator and vegetation inventory at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Provide clear instructions and create a welcoming environment for interns and volunteers.
Assign daily work to crew members during the field season.
Enter data and perform quality assurance and quality control for data products and deliverables.
Travel to pollinator project sites elsewhere in the continental United States to assist with data collection.
Train National Park Service staff on pollinator field protocols, including Bumble Bee Atlas and monarch inventory protocols.
Assist with writing technical reports and journal articles.
Complete required safety training and enforce safety protocols among crew members.
Provide regular progress updates to the Principal Investigator.
Present project results to park staff, public audiences, and the scientific community.
Assist the Principal Investigator with developing and refining protocols, testing field equipment, and training the field crew before the field season.
Assist with data analysis, compiling results, and report writing after the field season.