The Ottawa Conservation District is seeking a Forest Pest Technician to join their team in Grand Haven, Michigan. This position will carry out work for the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA) and is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Landscape Scale Restoration Program.   

• Posting Date: 3/5/2026
• Title: Forest Pest Technician  
• Number of Positions: 1  
• Location: Grand Haven, Michigan (Assignments will be performed throughout the WMCISMA service area, primarily in Allegan, Mason, and Ottawa Counties).  
• Position Details: This is a grant-funded, limited-term, and benefited position. The anticipated time commitment is 40 hours per week, but hours can vary due to workload and weather conditions. The position is scheduled to start on April 6, 2026. Availability of this position is based on the continuation of grant funding.  
• Compensation: $17.50/hour starting wage, $20/hour cap.    
• Closing Date: March 22, 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.  

Position Description:   

The WMCISMA is hiring a Forest Pest Technician to work out of the Ottawa Conservation District office, but daily travel to site locations using a work vehicle will be required. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the WMCISMA Coordinator and the Forest Pest Specialist to conduct field-based surveys, mapping, and treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) throughout West Michigan.   

The prospective individual will work as part of a team to survey properties, communicate with landowners to discuss projects, secure permissions, and regularly partake in insecticide applications. Surveys and treatments will be carried out on properties containing, and adjacent to, HWA infestations, on both public and private land. Data will be collected using handheld GPS units or Fieldmaps, and information will be housed in Google Sheets. 

Forest Pest Technicians will frequently use online and printed parcel and aerial maps. Identification and treatment training will be provided, but prior experience is advantageous. Individuals will be required to obtain a Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in Categories 2, 3B, 5, and 6 upon hire. 

We are looking for self-driven, responsible, and highly motivated individuals who can work independently with minimal on-site supervision. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills, both with coworkers and the public, excellent organizational and computer abilities, and a background or interest in natural resources management or a related field.  

While working in the field, the Forest Pest Technician will be subject to inclement weather conditions, including rain, snow, and extreme heat or cold. The role involves physical tasks such as hiking for extended periods on uneven terrain while carrying equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Candidates must be physically capable of staying on their feet for up to 10 hours a day, navigating dunes and brush, and lifting and transporting supplies up to 50 lbs without mechanical assistance or other support. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management or related field, or at least 1 year of experience in invasive species control or land management 
• Must have a valid driver’s license 
• Preferred possession of a Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification in categories 2, 3B, 5, and 6. 
• Ability to recognize and properly identify invasive species, especially forest pests 
• Knowledge or experience of invasive species control techniques, especially for forest pests 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google suites   
• Experience with data entry and management 
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills 
• Being able to collaborate well with others 
• Experience working in various field conditions