Seasonal Pollinator Research Field Technician

Title: Pollinator Research Field Technician

Employment Type: Seasonal, Non-Exempt, Full-Time, 40hrs/week

Timeframe: Monday, May 27th, 2025 - Friday, August 15th, 2025

Hourly Rate: $20 per hour

About Butterfly Pavilion: At Butterfly Pavilion, (BP) we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, firsthand learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:

• Make Science Cool
• Love What You Do
• Go Above and Beyond
• Lead Change
• Know Your Stuff
• Be Positive
• Welcome All

These aren't just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Position Summary:

Butterfly Pavilion is seeking creative, highly motivated, and energetic individuals to assist in field work, invertebrate collection and preservation, invertebrate and plant identification, and report writing as part of a team of experienced staff, interns, and volunteers. This position will assist in conducting a thorough sampling of the diurnal invertebrate pollinators and other invertebrates across land belonging to the Bureau of Land Management across western Colorado. Two field technicians will work as a team to sample invertebrates from designated sites using nets and traps and record associated flower species following prescribed methods. Training provided.

Technicians will be expected to spend 40+ nights in the field over the course of the season (4 nights a week for an estimated 10 weeks). For a typical workweek, technicians will depart Monday morning from the Denver metro area and drive to pre-selected field sites. Driving time will depend on the exact sites selected but may be several hours. Technicians will spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights in the field and return home every Friday for the weekend. During fieldwork days, technicians are expected to work mornings and afternoons for a total of 8 hours every day. Due to the nature of field work, this will involve several hours of outdoor labor in varying weather conditions.

This position will work in close collaboration with the Species Identification Specialist and Project Coordinator.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Driving a company vehicle for extended periods of time on major highways and small dirt roads.
• Conduct entomological field and lab work, primarily specimen collection, processing, and identification.
• Perform surveys and specimen collection near roads and on public property covering diverse vegetative communities and ecotypes.
• Communicate with Butterfly Pavilion staff on a daily basis to ensure safety in the field.
• Effective and respectful communication with local landowners and partners to explain ongoing research and ask permission to survey their property.
• Identify plant families in the field.
• Systematically photograph and collect the flowering plants visited by invertebrates to document feeding preferences for pollinators and assist in plant identification verification.
• Coordinating drop-off of collected specimens at Butterfly Pavilion offices for proper storage at the end of each week.
• Support in insect pinning and identification.
• Support in report writing and conducting basic statistics.
• Uphold AZA standards and follow Butterfly Pavilion policies.
• Effectively communicate to support the overall needs of the department and the organization.
• Provide active, self-motivated participation in Butterfly Pavilion's research and conservation goals.
• Attend required training and Butterfly Pavilion functions as designated essential by department and/or organizational need.
• Technicians must follow all non-negotiables, check email and phone messages regularly, report injuries within 24 hours, and alert immediate supervisor and necessary team staff when calling in from work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Project/Time Management
• Detail Oriented
• Communication Skills
• Results and Goal Oriented

Position Qualifications and Experience:

• Interest in invertebrate research and conservation
• Experience using taxonomic keys strongly preferred
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Suite (word processing, spreadsheets)
• Basic fieldwork skills, including using a global positioning system (GPS) and ability to read a map in areas without service
• Ability and desire to learn how to identify Colorado plants in the field
• Ability to work outdoors under a range of conditions that include steep terrain and hot/cold or other uncomfortable weather, biting and/or stinging insects
• Maintain detailed, clear, and consistent written notes for purposes of data collection
• Basic statistics skills
• Ability to work in the field under sometimes difficult conditions
• Responsibility and ability to follow prescribed methodologies

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience conducting independent and/or ecological research, particularly participating in field work
• Background or bachelor's degree in biology, entomology, ecology, botany, or related fields
• Experience with mapping software such as ArcGIS
• Experience with coding/software for statistical analysis such as Python or R

Additional Requirements:

• Technicians must maintain an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination.
• Must have Colorado state minimum liability insurance for operating a motor vehicle.
• Have and maintain a safe driving record and Colorado driver's license. Have the ability to commute to and from field work sites and perform work duties using a rental or company vehicle. Mileage costs if using private vehicles for work activities will be reimbursed.
• Must have reliable transportation to the office in Broomfield, CO outside of the company vehicle.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

Work Environment

These work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Field Technicians will encounter. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Field Technician.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to variable humidity, intense sunlight, heat, cold, wind, thorned vegetation, precipitation, biting and/or stinging insects such as mosquitos and flies, wildlife, and uneven surfaces. The employee will be exposed to and work regularly around bees, wasps, and ants. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud. This employee will work outside for the collection of data.

Physical Demands

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions within this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions described in the Field Technician position.

While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee may be required to communicate visually and/or vocally to maintain safety, as well as be able to hear and/or see safety commands. Vision of both far and near insects which may move quickly is required for their collection. The employee is often required to: sit, stand, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, write, and lift up to 50 lbs. This position may require you to walk long distances in the field and be on your feet for many hours at a time to actively collect insects and data. This position will require the use of a GPS, photographic and written data collection.

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.

Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter.

Position is open until filled. No phone calls or drop in's please.

Note: An offer is contingent upon passing of a criminal background check.