Title: Invertebrate Technician

Position Type: Full-time, Temporary, 1-2 positions

Work Location: Based in Fort Collins, CO with extensive statewide travel required

Pay Rate: $19.00 - $24.00/hour, depending on experience 

Benefits: Per diem of about $60.00/day when traveling beyond base location; overtime pay, 
retirement, and paid sick leave provided, health insurance is offered to eligible 
employees.

Duration: March 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025 (dates are approximate and dependent upon 
project and associated duties)

Position Summary

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) of Colorado State University seeks an Invertebrate Technician to collect field data in support of CNHP’s Statewide Natural Heritage Survey of biodiversity and related projects.

The CNHP Zoology Team supports the Statewide Natural Heritage Survey of biodiversity by conducting field work focused on rare invertebrates. Field work will take place across Colorado. Standard duties will involve assisting with logistics for field hitches, driving and hiking to field sites, detailed completion of field forms and collection of spatial data, and 
communication with project partners. The position involves extensive travel, camping in remote settings, and long 10+ hour field days. The typical field schedule is 8 days on with 6 days off or 4 days on with 3 days off. The position requires experience with fieldwork and plant and insect identification. Experience with natural heritage methodology, describing vegetation patterns on the landscape, and experience working in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain West, and/or Great Plains are 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. For more information about this position and others, please visit https://cnhp.colostate.edu/aboutus/careers/employment/ 

At CNHP, our work is not just guided by projects; it is rooted in our values. We are committed to diversity, fostering respect for all people, cultures, and communities. We 
believe in building a team that mirrors the diversity of the places we serve, recognizing the richness that diverse talents, experiences, and skills bring to the table. We understand that life experiences matter as much as professional qualifications. Your unique contributions are valued here. 

If you are passionate about conservation and making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply. Join the CNHP Zoology Team and play a pivotal role in preserving our 
natural landscapes! We can't wait to hear from you!

Responsibilities/Duties

Field Data Collection (85%)

• Assisting with logistics field hitches.
• Using GPS and provided maps, navigating to and from sites via paved roads, dirt roads, hiking trails, and offtrail travel through dense vegetation and across long distances. 
• Collecting data on rare invertebrates and habitats, following set protocols.
• Reviewing collected data to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Training (5%)
• Attending field training, reading field manuals, and learning to follow detailed field protocols.

Communication (5%)
• Communicating with public and private land managers and other staff.

Administrative (5%)
• Data entry and other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

1. Coursework in entomology, ecology, natural resources, range management, or related field.
2. Experience collecting field data. 
3. 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).
4. 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.
5. Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
6. Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and to maintain effective working relationships.
7. Ability to work both independently with guidance and effectively in a team.
8. Experience with using dichotomous keys and/or field guides, familiarity with the major invertebrate families, and/or knowledge of western groups.

Preferred Qualifications 
1. A completed bachelor’s degree (or expectation of a completed degree by May 2025) in botany, ecology, natural resources, range management, or a related field.
2. Experience collecting field data related to insect identification, and/or habitat assessment.
3. Experience pinning and/or preparing invertebrate specimens for deposition into museum collections.  
4. Experience with field navigation with a GPS unit or a tablet, field navigation apps, and a topographic map.
5. Experience collecting data electronically using tablets or other devices. Experience with ArcGIS online, ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps projects or Survey123 forms, and map making.
6. Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on rough roads and camping in remote locations.
7. Experience working in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain West, or Great Plains Ecosystems