Job Description

Position Summary

Join the Mola Lab at Colorado State University in supporting a collaborative project with the National Park Service Inventory and Assessment Program. Field technicians will help inventory bumble bees, butterflies, and flowering plants at Rocky Mountain National Park to inform park management and conservation efforts. Must be able to live on site in park housing during the summer. Housing included.

Full Consideration Date

February 27, 2026

Brief Work Unit Description

Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct non-lethal surveys of bumble bees and butterflies following detailed protocols. Use insect nets to capture and briefly chill bumble bees for voucher photographs, then safely release them
• Record plant–pollinator interactions, including the plant species visited and behavioral observations (e.g., nectaring, resting, patrolling). Survey milkweed for monarch eggs and larvae
• Identify native and non-native plant species using plant guides and record phenological stage
• Enter and manage field data
• Travel to and from remote field sites (multiple hours of driving per day and up to 4 miles of hiking) with the field crew (field vehicle is available)

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to hike 4 miles per day on uneven terrain
• Experience conducting field research through class or work
• Experience with data entry through class or work
• Interest in entomology and botany
• Punctual and reliable for daily surveys throughout the summer
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to visually detect small flying insects and remain focused for long periods
• Must be available for full time work during field season
• Valid drivers’ license

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling and identifying insects (especially local bumble bee species)
• Experience identifying plant species (especially Colorado flora)
• Outdoors experience (hiking, camping, backpacking, fieldwork, etc.)
• A personal vehicle is not required, but would be useful for traveling to nearby Estes Park for groceries, pharmacy, entertainment, etc.

Application Instructions

Anyone may apply regardless of student status; Colorado State University and University of Colorado students encouraged to apply. Negotiable timeline/work hours for students who need to schedule around spring and fall classes – we will NOT consider students who are taking their CSU mountain campus class in summer 2026.

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.