Biocontrol Technician

This is a temporary part-time intermittent schedule opportunity! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for this position is $22.93 - $27.18 per hour, depending on experience.

The Missoula County Ecology/Extension Office is seeking a BIOLOGICAL WEED CONTROL TECHNICIAN to join their team. This position assists the Biological Weed Control Coordinator with the planning and implementation of field work, research, and education projects related to the biological control of weeds occurring throughout the state of Montana and periodically in neighboring states.

We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 2, 2026
. It is in your best interest to apply by this date.

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is requested/submitted.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest, and a resume.
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Monitors and inventories noxious weed/biocontrol sites on federal, state, county, and private land throughout Montana and occasionally in neighboring states in collaboration with land management partners. Up to 30 nights a year may be spent traveling for monitoring focused work. Writes comprehensive monitoring site reports to be shared with the land manager to communicate findings and recommendations. Maintains databases and creates spreadsheets Europ for biocontrol monitoring, collection, and release data.

Assists with releasing and collecting a variety of biocontrol insects. Approximately, 1 million biocontrol agents are collected annually with many of these insects needing to be properly packaged to safely ship them across the state and to many other partner states. Assists in the coordination of biocontrol agent collection days. Majority of collections occur in Missoula and surrounding counties but up to 10 may occur in other parts of the state and require overnight travel.

Will assist with biocontrol related education and outreach for the public, agency personnel, and youth through the coordination of field days, presentations, meetings, youth activities, social media content creation, website management, and educational material creation. Responsible for properly storing perishable biocontrol agents. Research grant opportunities and assists with writing, formatting, preparing, and submitting grant applications to fund the Montana Biocontrol Coordination Project.

Assists with claiming grant funding and writing required reports. Works collaboratively with a variety of land managers ճանաչ, ath throughout Montana to provide the services that they need to successfully incorporate biocontrol into their noxious weed management programs.

• Requires Bachelor’s degree. Courses most applicable to the position will be in ecology, forestry, natural resources, biology, botany or other plant sciences.
• Requires one year of experience working in a natural resource or plant science field.
• Special Requirement:
  Requires a valid Driver's License.

Work schedule and location may vary. Overnight travel will be required when working with land managers or at field sites that are outside of what can be accomplished in a day trip. The work demands are seasonal with considerable time spent in an outdoor setting. The outdoor work requires considerable physical exertion such as hiking over steep, rough, and uneven terrain, bending, stooping, and occasional heavy lifting (20 lbs to 25 lbs) in all types of weather.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated
945 in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back hot and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in a scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!

Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region. Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business.

Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, businesses owners, vacationers, fishermen, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.