2024 Spring Jobs: Prescribed Burn Technician

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a field station of the University of Minnesota, is looking for four to six technicians to assist in our spring prescribed burn program.  The positions could start anywhere from March 18th to April 1st and end around mid-May (start and end dates are weather dependent). This is a 40 hour per week position, but the hours are variable, especially on days we burn.  There is the possibility of overtime on intense burn weeks.  Housing is available to rent on-site. Pay is $15 per hour. If you have graduated or are not currently enrolled in classes, we encourage you to apply.

The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve itself is an eight square mile tract of land 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Because of its fortunate location in mid-continent at the triple meeting point of three great biomes of North America, it carries much of the continent's biological heritage. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies. 

Of Cedar Creek’s 5175 acres, we manage approximately 900 acres through prescribed burning. Our burns consist of oak savanna, prairies, restoration units, and experimental plots that are on some type of burning frequency. Our prescribed burns can range from ¼ of an acre to 100 acres in size. We burn approximately 500 acres annually. 

Main Duties: 

• Prepping burn units.
• Assisting in burning the units.
• Monitoring and mopping up the units after burning. 

Other Duties:

• Research field help.  Assist with various field research tasks, i.e. experimental maintenance, mowing, etc.
• Fire road maintenance. Clearing brush and trees to make fire roads safer for burning and driving.

Qualifications:

• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing to work long hours and have a flexible schedule.

To apply for the technician position please visit our website, z.umn.edu/cdrjobs. The deadline for application submission is February 12th. For any questions regarding the internships or application please email ccintern@umn.edu or call 612-301-2616.