Working Title: Forest Pest [Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) Surveyor Job Class: Agricultural Technician Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Job ID: 83443 Location: St. Paul; Minnesota Northwest Area; Various; Minnesota Northeast Area; Minnesota Central Area; Minnesota Southeast Area; Statewide Telework/Remote Work Eligible: Yes Full/Part Time: Intermittent (full time during trap set, check and removal; unpaid time off in between these periods) Regular/Temporary: Temporary Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers. Date Posted: 02/03/2025 Closing Date: 02/28/2025 Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Division/Unit: Plant Protection Division / Plant Pest Mitigation & Regulatory Response Section / Spongy Moth Unit Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / Various Days of Work: Varies Travel Required: Yes - Travel daily within route, return to home office daily. Salary Range: $20.21/hour Classified Status: Classified Bargaining Unit/Union: 218 - Commissioner's Plan Start Date: Southern Region: 05/13/2025, Northern Region: 05/27/2025 End Date: Southern Region: 08/29/2025, Northern Region: 10/09/2025 (end dates are approximate) FLSA Status: Nonexempt Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No The work you'll do is more than just a job. At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Job Summary This announcement will be used to fill approximately 21 Forest Pest [Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar)] Surveyor positions for the MDA s annual Spongy Moth Trapping Survey. The European Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is a human nuisance and a serious threat to Minnesota s forests and urban trees and shrubs. Once established, the caterpillars cause costly and extensive defoliation damage during outbreaks. The trapping survey will allow us to detect and monitor for the pest early on, identify potential problem areas, and provide data necessary to make future management decisions to slow the spread of this invasive insect into the State of Minnesota. Job duties include assembling, setting, monitoring and removing up to 800 cardboard detection traps. Surveyors will each be assigned a route that is reasonably accessible from their home office location (where they live). Surveyors collect data using a GPS-enabled tablet (training provided) and report daily to a lead worker. A reliable vehicle is necessary for driving survey routes. MILEAGE IS REIMBURSED at the current Federal mileage reimbursement rate. Surveyors in select routes may instead be issued a rental vehicle to complete all survey work for the season. Please include your FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS in your application. Check to see that your profile address is current and correct. If submitting a resume that has a different address than your profile has, please indicate which location you would like to be considered for. Your location(s) will be geocoded to see which route you are located in and also consider your proximity to neighboring routes. The majority of the positions filled will be designated as remote worker positions which is defined as, an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location. Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota. However, applicants in WI or IA that are located relatively close to the MN survey project area will be considered. For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf Mandatory train ngs will be held on the following dates: Southern Region: May 13 - 15, 2025 Northern Region: May 27 29, 2025 Approximate end dates: Southern Region: 08/29/2025 Northern Region: 10/9/2025 These are intermittent positions, which means survey staff work when we need them to. We need survey staff working full time during the trap set, midseason trap check, and trap removal periods. There is unpaid leave between each of these periods. Workdays will typically be as follows: Southern Region: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be approximately 5 weeks of intermittent scheduled unpaid leave during the season for approximately 11 total weeks of employment (over a 16-week period). Northern Region: Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be approximately 7 weeks of intermittent scheduled unpaid leave during the season for approximately 13 total weeks of employment (over a 20-week period). Counties of residence where we are seeking applicants: Aitkin, Anoka, S.E. Beltrami, Benton, E. Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, N. Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, E. Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Le Sueur, E. McLeod, E. Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, E. Sibley, E. Stearns, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright About Minnesota Department of Agriculture The MDA's mission is to enhance Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment and the strength of our agricultural economy. Working together to improve the state we love. What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? A sense of purpose in their work Connection with their coworkers and communities Opportunities for personal and professional growth __ EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law. APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.