Job Listing
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| Job ID: 14954195 |
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| Job Location: |
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Telecommute (See 'Help' at the top or bottom of page for definition.)
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| How to Apply: | To see employer contact information, log in or register. |
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| Job Title: | Forest Pest (Spongy Moth) Surveyors |
| Work Type: | Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Work Vary: No , Shift: First (Day), Hours Per Week: 40, Work Type: Temporary |
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| Salary Offered: | $20.51 - $20.51 Hourly |
| Benefits: | Sick Leave or PTO |
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| Physical Required: | No |
| Drug Testing Required: | No |
| Education Required: | High School Diploma/GED |
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| Experience Required: | 0 Months |
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| Required Skills: | Minimum Qualifications
- To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
- High school diploma or GED.
- Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
- The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Physical Requirements:
-The ability to transport up to 20 pounds by hand.
-The ability to drive for prolonged periods of time.
-The ability to drive on all kinds of roads up to 250 miles per day.
-The ability to get in and out of a vehicle up to 60 times per day.
-The ability to navigate to and move to survey sites (25-60 per day) within a designated route to place, inspect and remove traps under various weather conditions and terrain quickly and efficiently. Some positions will require extensive movement in rough wooded terrain.
Additional Requirements:
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:
- SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only) Employment
- Reference Check
- Driver’s License Check
- Conflict of Interest Review |
| Preferred Skills: | Preferred Qualifications:
-A background in biology or related field.
-Previous field survey and data collection experience.
-The ability to work well independently with minimal supervision and with others as a team.
-The ability to prioritize, set goals and meet deadlines.
-Good interpersonal skills and ability to explain assigned activities to any interested party.
-The ability to navigate using paper maps and/or GPS-enabled mapping applications.
-Good written communication to record all relevant data and report findings. |
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| Driver's License: | Class D Required |
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| Job Description: |
Working Title: Forest Pest (Spongy Moth) Surveyor
Job Class: Agricultural Technician
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Job ID: 91599
Location: Various (see county list below/job post on State of MN Careers website has a map image showing the areas being surveyed)
Telework/Remote Work Eligible: Yes
Full/Part Time: Intermittent (full-time work during trap placement and removal w/unpaid leave in between; more details are in the Job Summary)
Regular/Temporary: Temporary
Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
Date Posted: 01/30/2026
Closing Date: 03/02/2026
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 / 7:00am - 5:30pm
Days of Work: Monday - Thursday
Travel Required: Yes - travel daily within route, return to home office daily
Salary Range: $20.51/hour
Classified Status: Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union: 218 - Non-Represented Employee's Compensation Plan
Start Date: Southern Region: 05/26/2026; Northern Region: 06/09/2026
Anticipated End Date: Southern Region: 09/01/2026; Northern Region: 10/08/2026
FLSA Status: Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No
Job Summary:
This announcement will be used to fill approximately 20 Forest Pest Surveyor positions for the MDA’s annual Spongy Moth Trapping Survey. 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, placing, inspecting 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 or State fleet 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 or within reasonable proximity to.
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
These are “intermittent” positions, which means survey staff work when we need them to.
-We need survey staff working full time during the trap placement and trap removal periods (time frames listed below).
-There will be unpaid leave between the trap placement and removal periods.
Workdays will typically be Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
-Southern Region*: There will be approximately 1total weeks of employment over a 16-week period (approx. 5 weeks of unpaid leave midseason).
-Northern Region*: There will be approximately 13 total weeks of employment over a 20-week period (approx. 7 weeks of unpaid leave midseason).
Mandatory Trainings (first two days virtual; last day in-person):
-Southern Region*: May 26 - 28, 2026
-Northern Region*: June 9 - 11, 2026
Trap Placement:
-Southern Region*: May 29 - July 2, 2026
-Northern Region*: June 15 – July 22, 2026
Midseason: unpaid leave (per “intermittent” status)
Trap Removal:
-Southern Region*: August 12 – September 1, 2026
-Northern Region*: September 14 - October 8, 2026
End dates (approximate):
-Southern Region*: September 1, 2026
-Northern Region*: October 8, 2026
Counties where seeking applicants: Aitkin, Anoka, S. Becker, S.E. Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, N.E. Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Ottertail, Pine, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright
Application Details:
How to Apply
Go to https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/to apply (search for "spongy moth") If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about the position, contact Natasha Northrop at natasha.northrop@state.mn.us, 651-201-6692 (office) or 651-341-6158 (cell; texts accepted).
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.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? - A sense of purpose in their work
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Working together to improve the state we love.
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
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.
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, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Refer to ID 91599 when applying |
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