Organizational Background:

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) is a preeminent conservation organization in New England that strives to advance the conservation of wildlife and their habitats through research, monitoring, and community engagement. Our biologists investigate the intricate networks of ecological relationships across many scales from mercury pollution in songbirds to the migratory ecology of insects. VCE is located along the Connecticut River in the vibrant community of Hartford, Vermont. Our staff is committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive workplace culture that values the physical and emotional well-being of all employees.

Position Summary:

Vermont Center for Ecostudies seeks a seasonal field technician to conduct fieldwork in Northern and Eastern Vermont. This is an 11 week position that is expected to run from mid-April to late-June of 2026.

The field technician will work on two projects: 1) assisting VCE’s postdoctoral researcher Dr. Brian Kron with species distribution model (SDM) ground-truthing surveys in Northern Vermont, and 2) working with Vermont Atlas of Life Director Kent McFarland’s survey team for Vermont’s Second Butterfly Atlas. This position will primarily focus on the ground-truthing project, which will involve deploying, maintaining, and removing autonomous recording units (ARUs) and camera traps, in addition to performing vegetation surveys at the location of equipment (mid-late April, mid-Late June). For the Second Butterfly Atlas team, the field technician will be involved in systematic surveying for butterflies at priority survey blocks as part of an effort to identify all butterfly species within Vermont. The technician will perform approximately 60% of their total time on the ground-truthing project and 40% on the butterfly atlas.

These projects may require significant travel time, with the majority of  field time in remote portions of the state. Both projects will involve off-trail hiking several miles per day, traversing difficult terrain, and potential exposure to stinging/biting insects or plants. The remainder of the technician’s time will be spent assisting in data entry and management in the office relating to the ground-truthing project.

Responsibilities:

Research (90%)

Data entry, management, and logistics (10%)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Educational background in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field
• Strong butterfly identification skills

Successful candidates will demonstrate a desire and enthusiasm for contributing to active and rugged fieldwork and be capable of working independently while contributing to a team. The candidate should also have the ability to interact professionally with the public. Experience with ARUs, camera traps, or field work is not required, but the ability to identify Vermont’s butterfly species is encouraged, and the experience in plant identification is a plus. Those without butterfly or plant ID experience should be able to learn quickly. The candidate should be able to follow a scientific protocol, take detailed notes, and be willing to ask questions if needed. We will make every attempt to provide transportation, and access to a personal vehicle is necessary.

Compensation:

$19/hour, seasonal, nonexempt. Position averages 35-40 hours/week for ~11 weeks (mid-April to late-June, start and end date is flexible and negotiable for the right candidate). Hourly work week will not exceed 40 hours, but occasional long days ( >8 hours) may be necessary, and will result in a shorter schedule over following days. Occasional camping may be required for some field work. Mileage is provided at the federal rate for occasional required long-distance travel.