Working Title: Monitoring Hydrologist Assistant
Job Class: Student Worker Para Professional
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Job ID : 90862
Location : Mankato
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 12/18/2025
Closing Date : 01/07/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Division/Unit : Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division / Surface Water Unit Staff
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 50%
Salary Range: $17.84 - $20.89 / hourly
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 207 AFSCME Technical
Work Area : North Mankato
End Date : 08/22/2026
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
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 position will support the Minnesota Agricultural Weather Network and MDA groundwater, surface water and edge-of-field monitoring programs. The purpose will be to aid with field installation, maintenance, and operation of electronic sensors, conducting water quality sampling, completing equipment inventory, and providing data management for the projects assigned.
This position will be based in the North Mankato MDA Office and will be a member of the Surface Water Monitoring Unit. Must be available for reasonable travel. Must be available to start by the end of May 2026.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker you must be a student enrolled in an educational program or planning to enroll within three months. Students may be "off" for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as student workers, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year. As a student you must be enrolled in high school or in a post-secondary or graduate program. If a student is enrolled at a credit-granting institution he/she must carry at least six semester (nine quarter) credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, a student must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load shall be treated as a semester/quarter off. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation. You will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment.
Completion of at least one year of post-secondary education in meteorology, hydrology, hydrogeology, soil science, environmental science, earth science, water resources, agriculture, agronomy, crop science, plant science, general construction, or a closely related field.
Ability to learn how to install, maintain and operate weather and water monitoring equipment in rugged terrain.
The ability to conduct field work on consecutive days, with some overnight travel within Minnesota.
The ability to communicate one-on-one and represent MDA before a variety of groups relative to social, economic and environmental issues.
A working knowledge and demonstrated ability to use common computer software including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Must have a valid unrestricted Class D driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with the installation, maintenance, and operation of weather and/or water quality monitoring equipment including sensors connected to a data logger.
Strong communication, organizational, leadership, problem-solving, and project coordination skills.
Experience precisely following established protocols to complete a specific task.
A demonstrated ability to safely use common hand and power tools to complete basic wiring, simple construction, and troubleshooting,
Experience with loading, towing, and backing trailers.
Working knowledge of water quality monitoring procedures and equipment used to collect samples.
Direct experience (including farming experience) or training in use and management of pesticides or inorganic fertilizers.
Physical Requirements
This position requires difficult physically demanding labor, long workdays, outdoor work in sometimes harsh conditions, and strict attention to details and protocol. This position requires heavy lifting, digging with shovels, building structures to deploy monitoring equipment with basic hand tools, assembling/troubleshooting equipment and sensors, negotiating trails through wooded, overgrown, or otherwise obstructed pathways which may be flat, but are also likely to be quite steep and occasionally rocky and muddy. This position requires work in physically challenging environments including cold, windy, wet, and snowy conditions during winter months, as well as rainy, hot or humid conditions in the summer. The person in this position must be capable of functioning to a high level of precision and accuracy in adverse weather conditions. The incumbent must be able to maintain weather stations and collect water samples in any season.
Additional Requirements
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:
SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
Employment Reference Check
Driver's License Check
Conflict of Interest Review
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
