Seasonal Beekeeper Technician

Title: Seasonal Beekeeper Technician

Position Reports To: Target Species Manager

About Butterfly Pavilion: Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates. To this end, Butterfly Pavilion has begun the initial stages of launching a $55 million Capital Campaign to expand Butterfly Pavilion into the Center for Invertebrate Research and Conservation (CIRC) in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2025.

A large part of who we are as an organization is how we interact with each other. Valuing our facility, guests, donors, and our team is a priority, without these puzzle pieces we cannot make it all work, these Core Values guide us throughout our day. We Love What We Do at Butterfly Pavilion, we Make Science Cool by Going Above and Beyond for all guests, donors, and team members while also Leading Change in invertebrate conservation. We Know Our Stuff and work to have a healthy culture by Being Positive and Welcoming to All. These are not just words, but words for us to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Core Values:

Make Science Cool: Science has the power to change the world and education is where it starts. We immerse our guests in the world of invertebrates, creating a safe, comfortable atmosphere to make connections to nature, filling guests with wonder and inspiring them to embrace their role as stewards of our environment.

Go Above and Beyond: It is "our job" to find a solution, even if we did not create the problem. We never stop with okay, instead striving for world class in all we do.

Love What You Do: As a conservation organization, we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do the work we do each day. Independ of role, project or task, we stand behind that work with an unwavering belief in the significance of our efforts to support our mission, knowing our passion will inspire others to join our efforts.

Be Positive: We approach challenges with vibrant optimism. Always assuming positive intent, we embrace a productive problem-solving attitude and a supportive team-oriented atmosphere.

Know Your Stuff: We are experts on invertebrates and their conservation. We are well-informed and present knowledge in a way that is accessible to the public and allows us to embrace our role as a community leader locally and globally.

Lead Change: We approach our work with a sense of exploration and adventure, pioneering new ways to view the world in which we live. As problem solvers, we seek new ways of tackling challenges and approaching opportunities.

Welcome All: We pride ourselves in embracing diversity of thoughts, beliefs, and lifestyles. We embrace a kind, compassionate, and engaging approach, welcoming all people in the work we do. We seek a competency of cultural understanding and social responsibility to make it as easy as possible for others to join us in conserving our natural world.

FLSA: Contractor

Location: Denver and Surrounding Areas

Salary: $750/month

Vehicles: A vehicle will be necessary (Preferably AWD and/or truck)

Commitment: 4 months (From May to August 2024)

Minimum Age Requirement: 18 yrs

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Seasonal Beekeeper to assist our team at Butterfly Pavilion, based in Denver and surrounding areas. As a Contracted Seasonal Beekeeper, this contractor will support the Target Species Manager in the husbandry, management, and care of our honeybee colonies, contributing to our mission of pollinator conservation. This is a seasonal contract with flexible hours (we estimate 36 hrs/month), during the active beekeeping season from spring to fall. If you are passionate about bees, conservation, and making a positive impact in your community, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity to be part of our dedicated team at Butterfly Pavilion.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Hive Management:

1. Perform regular inspections (every two weeks) of honeybee colonies to assess health, population size, and overall productivity.
2. Monitor hive conditions, including the presence of diseases, pests, and adequate food stores.
3. Ensure proper hive maintenance, including frame rotation, hive cleaning, and equipment repairs as needed. Maintain proper inventory of supplies needed to maintain colony health, such as pollen patties and mite treatment (oxalic acid, formic pro, apiguard)

Swarm Control and Prevention:

1. Implement strategies to prevent swarming, such as colony splitting, queen management, and providing sufficient space within hives.
2. Capture and rehive swarms when necessary to prevent loss of colonies and minimize disruptions to local ecosystems.

Honey Harvesting and Processing:

1. Coordinate honey harvesting activities, including the extraction of honey frames, and movement of frames.
2. Maintain hygiene and quality standards during honey processing to ensure the production of high-quality honey products.
3. Collaborate with Butterfly Pavilion partners to ensure honey processing, bottling, and labeling is completed in a timely manner.

Disease and Pest Management:

1. Monitor for signs of honeybee diseases and parasites, such as Varroa mites, Nosema, and European and American foulbrood.
2. Implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to control pests and diseases while minimizing the use of chemical treatments.
3. Stay informed about emerging threats and best practices in honeybee health management.

Record Keeping and Documentation:

1. Maintain accurate records of hive inspections, treatments, and honey production data.
2. Compile reports on colony health, productivity, and any notable observations or challenges encountered during the season.
3. Communicate findings and recommendations to the beekeeping team and management as needed.

Client communication:

1. Maintain active client communication in terms of the schedule of hive checks for dates and times of both commercial and residential clients, and partners (email and text).
2. Clients may join during the routine hive checks.
3. Keep clients informed in terms of hive health and welfare.

Hive transportation:

1. Move hives, when necessary, within different locations around Denver and surrounding areas.

Training:

• New Team Orientation.
• The Contractor will be supervised in the field before working independently and will receive In-the-field training with the Target Species Manager on beekeeping, welfare checks and data management.

• The Target Species Manager and possibly other BP staff will visit the hives' field sites once per month to ensure that the contractor correctly follows beekeeping protocols.

Competencies:

• Ability to work in the field under sometimes difficult conditions.
• Project/time management.
• Results and goal orientated.
• Detail oriented.
• Communication skills.
• Reliability.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Previous experience in beekeeping, preferably with hands-on experience managing honeybee colonies.
• Knowledge of honeybee biology, behavior, and hive management practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently in a variety of weather conditions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Commitment to sustainable beekeeping practices and honeybee husbandry and welfare.
• This seasonal contract offers a rewarding opportunity to engage in hands-on beekeeping activities and contribute to the preservation of honeybee populations in the Denver area. If you are passionate about beekeeping and interested earning some extra money, we encourage you to apply and be part of our mission to support pollinator health and biodiversity.

Additional Requirements:

• Contractor must follow all non-negotiables, check email and phone messages regularly, report injuries within 24 hours, and alert immediate supervisor and necessary team staff when calling in from work.
• Required training and Butterfly Pavilion functions as designated essential by department and/or organizational need.
• Work Environment/Physical/Transportation Requirements:

Work Environment

• These work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Contractor will encounter.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Contractor.
• While performing the duties of this job, the contractor may be exposed to low humidity, intense sunlight, heat, cold, wind, thorned vegetation, and precipitation, insects such as mosquitos and flies, wildlife, and uneven surfaces. The contractor will be exposed to and may work regularly around bees, wasps, and ants. While performing the duties of this job, the contractor is exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. This contractor will work outside.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands are representative of the requirements necessary for the contractor to successfully perform the essential functions of the contract. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions .
• While performing the responsibilities of this job, the contractor is required to talk and hear. The contractor is often required to: sit, stand, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and lift (the intern must be able to lift 20 lbs). Vision abilities required by this job include far and close vision. The contractor will be required to lift and carry honeybee boxes and move them around.

Transportation

• Must have a private vehicle.
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to commute to and from field work sites and perform work duties using your own vehicle.
• Mileage costs for work activities will be reimbursed.
• Must have Colorado state minimum liability insurance for operating a motor vehicle.

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for contracted positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.

Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter to: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/butterflies/jobs/3308710-20970

Contract is open until filled. No phone calls or drop in's please.