The University of Montana (UM) O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West (OCRMW) will conduct field sampling in Montana wetlands as part of the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NWCA is an effort to gather biological, physical and chemical data to characterize ecological condition in wetlands at the national scale. We are currently recruiting a Botanist, Soil Specialist, and Technicians with experience in plant identification, ecology, and/or soil science for data collection in Montana from May through end of August. 

Crews will work as a team of four to collect vegetation, soils, hydrology, water quality and disturbance data in wetlands across Montana. Crews work eight-day hitches: 10-hours/day, from Tuesday-Tuesday, with a six-day break between hitches. All positions are field-based and require working and camping in isolated locations. We ask seasonal staff to commit to the entire field season, practice safety awareness, safe driving policies, and contribute to building a healthy, productive, and enjoyable work environment. Throughout the field season, crews will receive logistics and data management support from a UM Crew Manager and UM Project Manager. 

The crew will be comprised of two teams, the Vegetation Team and the Assessment Area-Buffer Team. The Botanist will act as the Vegetation Lead and will oversee all vegetation data-related protocols and supervise the Vegetation Technician. The Soil Specialist will act as the Assessment Area Lead and will oversee all soil, water quality, hydrology and physical alteration-related protocols and supervise the Assessment Area Technician. One of the Leads will also act as the primary Crew Lead. 

Applicants should understand that this is a physically demanding position. Crews often work and camp in inclement weather conditions, frequently navigating rough, unpaved roads in 4x4 vehicles, and carry heavy loads (40 lbs.) on foot over rugged desert and mountainous terrain. Access to survey locations will be a combination of front and backcountry access. Primitive camping is required, and backpacking will be required for a subset of hitches. Sampling locations are occasionally near small towns, but these towns often have few amenities. Cell phone service may be limited. 

UM supplies all necessary monitoring equipment, including vehicles, to carry out the work. We provide some group camping gear (stoves, coolers). Individuals are responsible for their personal camping gear (tents, sleeping bags), but UM does assist employees with purchasing some field/camping equipment, up to $250 value. 

Position Details 

• Position is full-time, temporary (~4 months). 
• Compensation is based on position, qualifications, and experience: 
  • Botanist (Vegetation Lead): starting at $22/hour 
  • Soil Specialist (Assessment Area Lead): starting at $22/hour 
  • Technicians (Vegetation and Assessment Area) earn $19-$20/hour  
• All positions include: 
  • $352.80 meal per diem per 8-day hitch (tax free). 
  • Muck boots (kept by employee upon completion of the season, a ~$150 value). 
  • Waders and boots (kept by employee upon completion of the season, a ~$200 value). 
  • Field/Camping Equipment (kept by employee upon completion of field season, up to $250 value). 
  • Benefits include Worker’s Compensation coverage, paid holidays, and accrual of sick leave. 
• Base location: Missoula, MT 
  • Work will occur throughout Montana, but crew members are expected to arrive at the base location of Missoula, MT at the start of each hitch. 
• Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). 

Qualifications 

We encourage individuals with relevant skills and a strong desire to learn to apply for these positions, even if you don't fully meet all listed qualifications. These positions are an excellent opportunity to develop skills, and significant training is provided.  

Education and Experience: 

Botanist (Vegetation Lead) 

• A bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, botany, natural resources management, or related subject. 
• At least two full seasons collecting scientific data in the field. A completed master’s degree with field work can satisfy this requirement. 
• Experience/knowledge of vegetation sampling, and/or other environmental data collection is preferred but not required. 
• Knowledge of wetland ecology and experience working in wetlands and/or riparian areas is preferred but not required. 

Soil Specialist (Assessment Area Lead) 

• A bachelor’s degree in soil science, hydrologic science, ecology, biology, natural resources management, or related subjects. 
• At least two full seasons collecting scientific data in the field. A completed master’s degree with field work can satisfy this requirement. 
• Experience/knowledge preparing soil profile descriptions, water quality sampling, and/or other environmental data collection is preferred but not required.  
• Knowledge of wetland ecology, hydric soils and experience working in wetlands and/or riparian areas is preferred but not required. 

 Technician (Vegetation) 

• Minimum three years of undergraduate coursework required. Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, natural resources management, or related subject preferred.  
• A minimum of one season of field data collection or intensive coursework in field data collection.  
• Coursework and experience in plant taxonomy preferred.  

Technician (Assessment Area) 

• Minimum three years of undergraduate coursework required. Bachelor’s degree in biology, soil science, hydrologic science, ecology, natural resources management, or related subject preferred.  
• A minimum of one season of field data collection or intensive coursework in field data collection.  
• Coursework and experience in soil morphology and taxonomy preferred.  

 Preferred Technical Skills: 

All Positions 

• Careful attention to detail. 
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection. 
• Experience with data entry and management using electronic devices. 
• Experience navigating off trail with compass and GPS. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and preferably a digital data collection platform. 
• Experience driving 4WD trucks, especially on rough and unmaintained roads. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (DUI or other serious convictions need not apply).  
• Certification in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. 

Botanist (Vegetation Lead) 

• Experience performing QA/QC procedures on collected data throughout the field season to ensure data quality standards are met. 
• Experience identifying plants to species in the field using a dichotomous key (e.g., Lesica, Jepson, Flora of the Pacific Northwest), including challenging taxa, such as Salicaceae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae. Successful MWCA sampling requires rapid and accurate field identification using dichotomous keys and meticulous documentation of unidentified plants. 
• Experience preparing and organizing voucher specimens. 

Soil Specialist (Assessment Area Lead) 

• Experience performing QA/QC procedures on collected data throughout the field season to ensure data quality standards are met. 
• Ability to describe soil horizons, textures, and hydric indicators. 
• Ability to collect and manage soil and water quality samples. 

Technicians 

• Ability to collect, prepare, organize and label plant vouchers, soil and water quality samples.  
• Experience using dichotomous botanical keys and field guides, familiarity with the major plant families, and knowledge of western flora. 
• -OR- Ability to describe soil horizons, textures, and hydric indicators. 

 Professional Skills: 

Botanist and Soil Specialist 

• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers, or undergraduate students.  
• Demonstrated ability to resolve interpersonal conflict during stressful situations. 
• Ability to interact with stakeholders and partners in a professional manner. 
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, etc. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and to work independently as required. 
• Commitment to an entire field season. 

Technicians 

• Ability to maintain good working relationships with crew members and managers. 
• Ability to accept guidance and constructive criticism from peers and supervisors; willingness to learn and incorporate suggested changes. 
• Demonstrated ability to resolve interpersonal conflict during stressful situations. 
• Ability to interact with stakeholders and partners in a professional manner. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and to work independently as required. 
• Commitment to an entire field season. 

Physical Requirements – All Positions 

• Ability to carry 40 pounds in a backpack over rugged mountainous terrain, off trail, for up to 15 miles and 2000 ft. of elevation gain per day.  
• Willingness and ability to backpack and camp in remote locations for multiple days. 
• Willingness and ability to maintain a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, cold or hot weather (20°F–110°F), rugged terrain, mosquitos, venomous snakes, bears and other wildlife, lightning, wildfire, etc., all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety required. 
• Willingness to work irregular hours in the field. 

Training 
These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. You will receive paid training on NWCA protocols and associated methodology. UM ecologists will also provide additional training on protocols, soil assessment, and plant identification for the area in which you will be working, and ongoing field-based support and training during the field season. You will have the opportunity to interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the EPA and UM throughout training and field work.  

About UM and O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West 

The University of Montana is a flagship research institution with approximately 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West (OCRMW) is a regional studies and public education program at UM. OCRMW staff are engaged in mapping wetlands across the western US, including Alaska; and in carrying out inventory and monitoring projects for federal, state, and tribal agencies.  
To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the link below. 

University of Montana 

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. 

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. 

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.  

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. 

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Further, based on the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation and accompanying guidance from the USCIS and Dept. of State, the University may not be able to offer H-1B sponsorship. Particularly, the University is not able to pay the $100,000 payment accompanying new H-1B visa petitions.