Agricultural Seasonal Sampler

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for an Agricultural Technician in Great Falls to sample grain and other crops.
Open until filled
; first review of candidates June 15, 2026.

The State Grain Laboratory, located in Great Falls, is responsible for operating a statewide grain and commodity inspection program. Accurate and unbiased sampling inspections and testing are performed in compliance with federal and state grain standards. The Laboratory is the only federally designated, official grain inspection service in Montana, certifying the type and grade of crops for market values under federal standards issued by USGA/AMA.

Grain Samplers may start their day at the Lab preparing samples for grading inspections. They may then be assigned a route for collecting samples, spending most of the day driving between grain elevators that can be 1 to 4 hours or more from the lab. At each elevator, crop samples are taken from rail cars, trucks, totes or bags. The samples are returned to the lab after completing the assigned route.

Routes and crops vary each day.

The Laboratory uses on‑job training methods during normal paid work hours.

• Good driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

The Laboratory has a peak work season from end of July to early January, during which employees may be asked to work up to 10 hours a day and up to seven days a week. Off‑peak season, from January to July, may require a reduced work week.

Overtime is paid at 1.5 times base rate. Lunch time is paid while in route and collecting samples. Sampling takes place outdoors on railcars and trucks and indoors for totes and bags.

Workers may be exposed to traffic, road construction, adverse weather, noise, fumes, and dust. They are required to lift up to 50 lb. crop samples and boxes, climb ladders to the top of rail cars, hopper cars, and trucks, and carry a 12‑ft probe to sample 12 feet of compacted grain. Sample processing in the laboratory requires use of lab equipment where accuracy is critical to meeting federal standards.

Other duties may include processing of samples in the laboratory and occasional paid overnight stays and meals for sampling unit trains.