Entomology Technician (Forest Inventory/Survey) - 5948 - Danforth/Lee/Calais Area

ENTOMOLOGY TECHNICIAN

Opening Date:

June 25, 2025

Closing Date:

July 10, 2025

Location:

Area Between Danforth/Lee/Calais

Position #:

01715-5948

Position Type:

Full Time 

Class Code:

9403

Grade/Salary:

Grade 15 - $18.32 - $24.97 Per Hour*
*(This includes the 7.5% Salary Adjustment)

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is accepting applications to fill an Entomology Technician position in the Bureau of Forestry, Forest Health and Monitoring Division, based within the area between Danforth, Lee, and Calais. Actual Location is Flexible within this zone. The position will require extensive travel within this region.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This is technical services work that will primarily collect basic forest inventory/resource data on permanent forest inventory plots and locate selected points on the ground; collect plot and tree measurements; identify all woody vegetation on selected plots; classify stands according to forest type, age, site index and various land use classes; etc. This position will work on a limited basis with other staff to help with detection, evaluation, and occasionally on impact assessment of entomological/pathological problems. Work is performed in the field under a variety of adverse conditions, including walking several miles per day over varied terrain with a backpack weighing up to 35 pounds. Field work may include urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations. Working alone in remote locations is required for certain tasks. Statewide travel is required. Work is performed under limited supervision.

The following tasks are the primary duties of this position:

• Establish temporary and permanent ground plots and collect data from these plots to assess land use conditions. In forested and urban forest areas: characterize conditions including composition, size, regeneration, quality, crown health and damage levels, etc.


• Collect field data with Portable Data Recorders, Global Positioning System Receivers, iPad Tablet, and Personal Digital Assistants. Keypunching field data collected into Desktop/Laptop Computers.


• Oversee daily activities of seasonal employees engaged in collecting field plot data.


• Maintain a record keeping system for plot data, maps, and land ownership.

On a limited basis this position may assist insect and disease staff to:

• Survey areas in order to detect, monitor and delineate forest insect and disease infestation.


• Identify insects and diseases in the field and collect and summarize field and lab data to facilitate report preparations.


• Map infested areas and proposed control areas in order to identify problem limits geographically.


• Respond to landowner/manager and homeowner requests for assistance to identify and control insects and diseases. 


• Inspect sites and goods for quarantine regulatory purposes to prevent contamination or spread of insects and diseases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A three (3) year combination of training, education, and/or experience in basic technical field or laboratory entomology, pathology, forestry, or related work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Within the first twelve months of employment, the selected candidate must receive training in forest inventory/health field procedures for collecting data and must take and pass a written and practical field test meeting quality control and assurance standards to become certified by the US Forest Service. 

Candidates must possess or be able to obtain a valid Maine Driver's License.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter, and a current Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and a current Resume before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

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No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 


• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  


• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 


• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 


• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  


• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 


• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 


• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 


• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.


• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  


• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 


• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.