Water Quality Monitoring Technician

Water Quality Monitoring Technician )

Do you like to work outside? Are you interested in conducting water quality sampling for Montana’s streams, lakes, rivers, and wetlands? We are looking for a temporary technician to join our team in the Water Quality Planning Bureau to assist with the 2026 field season from May through October. The Water Quality Monitoring Technician is responsible for assisting pre‑field work, such as calibration and maintenance of monitoring devices, inventory and requisition of field season equipment;

field work, such as assisting in various chemical, biological and physical sampling procedures; and non‑field work efforts such as data entry, transporting samples, and gathering supplies. This position requires extensive travel across the state of Montana to various watersheds with overnight stays, sometimes working and camping in remote areas. Driving and navigating to sampling sites is required. Training on sampling methods will be provided to the successful candidate;

however, knowledge of surface water sampling methods is a plus. The successful candidate will collect nutrient, metals, sediment,

E.coli, algae, and macroinvertebrate samples as well as monitor flow and the current conditions of wetlands.

• Assist pre‑field work (calibration, maintenance, inventory, requisition of equipment).
• Perform field work (chemical, biological, and physical sampling).
• Conduct non‑field work (data entry, transport of samples, gathering supplies).

• Two years of science focused higher education.
• One field season of relevant environmental monitoring experience.
• Current valid Driver’s License and clean driving record in accordance with the State of Montana Vehicle Use Policy.
• Ability to hike while carrying up to 40 lbs of sampling equipment in wilderness settings.

Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

In your cover letter, describe how your education, knowledge, and skills have prepared you for this position. Applications, including supplemental materials such as cover letter and resume, must be submitted through the State of Montana Careers site ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) by the closing date of the announcement.

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

$21.50 – 21.50 Hourly

Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan.

Tiffany Daley – Contact Email:
Tiffany.

Daley – Contact Phone: 406‑444‑4218

The State of Montana does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.