POSITION TITLE:  Field Crew Lead (Field Technician II) - 1-2 position openings

SUPERVISOR:  Julia Ledford  

TERMS: Hourly, seasonal

LOCATION:  Southwest Colorado; reporting office Durango, CO

TIMELINE:  May 2026 - September 2026 (approximate); 16 weeks contingent on project needs and funding; approximate start date May 26, 2026; approximate end date September 18, 2026. Pending capacity and need, there might be an opportunity to extend employment beyond the expected term.

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a 501 (c)(3) non-advocacy, mountain education and research nonprofit established in 2002. MSI was created to increase knowledge of our unique mountain environments, deepen our understanding of the issues that affect them, and develop solutions for the benefit of our vibrant mountain communities. We build partnerships to steward natural and cultural values by engaging scientists, citizens, and land managers to innovate solutions through advancing research, promoting education, and developing best practices to put science into action.

POSITION SUMMARY

MSI is seeking a Field Crew Lead who will work directly with Mountain Studies Institute as part of our dedicated forest monitoring team to support our collaborative forest health partners across southwest Colorado. The Field Crew Lead will assist with forest monitoring, data entry, ecological restoration, and other MSI projects as needed.

This role is particularly well suited for candidates with a strong background in botany and plant identification, who are interested in applying those skills to forest health and ecological monitoring in mountain environments.

EXPECTATIONS

The Field Crew Lead will work alongside MSI project and field managers and associated partners and volunteers to provide monitoring and field support for a variety of Forest Program projects. The Field Crew Lead will assist with the collection of data related to ecological monitoring efforts led by MSI, the US Forest Service, and forest health collaboratives. The field crew lead will work in multiple locations across southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico. In addition to monitoring activities, the Field Crew Lead may assist with non-field activities, such as data entry and field equipment upkeep. A qualified candidate will have a thorough understanding of their own needs in a backcountry setting and be able to evaluate and navigate the needs of their team. A qualified candidate must be able to follow monitoring and safety protocol with fidelity. This position will require lengthy days and traveling on foot over rough terrain. This position will also require overnight car camping for three to four nights at a time for the majority of the term.

This position places a strong emphasis on botanical knowledge, including accurate identification of native and invasive plant species, understanding plant community composition, and contributing high-quality vegetation data to long-term monitoring efforts.

SCHEDULE

40-hour week; occasional long days, weekend, or evening work may be required. There may be some weeks during the employment period when work will not be provided (due to adverse weather conditions, etc.). MSI staff will coordinate with the field tech regarding these periods, if and when they occur. Field crews will typically work a 4 day on/3 day off work week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in botany and/or vegetation identification, including field-based plant identification in forest or montane ecosystems and the use of dichotomous keys
• 1-3 seasons of field experience collecting vegetation or floristic data as part of ecological monitoring, research, or land management projects
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules across rugged terrain and in adverse weather conditions
• Willingness to camp up to three to four nights per field week
• Ability to carry a 30-45lb pack and work at elevations between 6,000 and 14,000 feet
• Valid Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or the ability to obtain at least a WFA by the employment start date
• MSI will cover the cost of tuition up to $280 for a WFA or WFR course
• Experience in road and backcountry navigation including driving 4wd vehicles
• Experience navigating to field plots with a GPS unit and/or navigation app (e.g. Avenza or Gaia)
• Experience using satellite communication devices (e.g. Garmin InReach)
• Experience with common forest mensuration techniques
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions, including ability to consistently follow and adhere to detailed field protocols
• Demonstrated field leadership including the ability to meet personal needs in the backcountry while also evaluating and navigating the needs of a team under varied conditions. Ability to model expeditionary behavior for your team in camp and in the field
• Ability to operate independently
• A high school diploma or GED

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Dendrology and vegetation identification course work and/or fieldwork
• Demonstrated experience with safety in backcountry
• Willingness and ability to work with volunteers and crew members of all age ranges and a spectrum of interests
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, forestry or related field

Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience.

No candidate will meet every requirement. If you're excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

TRAINING PROVIDED

Guidance by MSI and project staff with the specific methods used for project work, data management, data QAQC, and Wilderness First Aid training if needed.

COMPENSATION

Wage Range $21-23/hour (depending on experience), plus a $125/week stipend for per diem expenses.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Candidates offered this position will be required to successfully pass a background check prior to their start date.

HOUSING

The Field Crew Lead will be responsible for securing housing. MSI staff can provide some guidance for candidates not already based in the Durango area.

DIVERSITY MAKES US STRONGER  

MSI aims to build a welcoming, inclusive team that is as diverse as the many mountain communities we serve. We seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an environment where all staff are valued and respected.  

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position. This policy applies to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination.