Forest Pest Spongy Moth; Lymantria dispar Surveyor - Agricultural Technician

Overview

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.

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 Class: Agricultural Technician
• Job : 91599
• Working Title: Forest Pest Surveyor (Spongy Moth Lymantria dispar)
• Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Location: St. Paul;
  Various;
  Minnesota Northeast Area;
  Minnesota Central Area;
  Minnesota Southeast Area;
  Statewide
• Telework/Remote Work Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Intermittent (full time work during trap placement and removal with unpaid leave in between; more details 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/
  
  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 duties include assembling, placing, inspecting and removing up to 800 cardboard detection traps. Surveyors will be assigned a route reasonably accessible from their home office. 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 rate. Some routes may 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. If your profile address differs, indicate which location you would like to be considered for. Your locations will be geocoded to determine route proximity.

Most positions will be remote worker positions, defined as permanently working from a home or alternate location. Minnesota currently does not permit remote work outside the State. Applicants in WI or IA near the MN survey project area may be considered.

Typical workdays are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Details follow for region-specific timelines and scheduling in the sections below.

Southern Region and Northern Region timelines are listed in the job summary. See the original posting for detailed schedule notes, including trap placement, midseason unpaid leave, trap removal, and end dates. See map for S/N regions and project areas. Counties of residence listed include:
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,…