AIS Early Detection and Monitoring Technician

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

The knowledge skills and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and 2 years of related experience/education. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please include unofficial transcript that shows classed taken if using education in lieu of experience

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The technicians work with minimal or no direct supervision. Work will involve field research activities that require planning prioritization and often require a change and re-organization of work schedules and overnight travel. Semi-primitive camping is required while traveling overnight. Working conditions are routinely hazardous. Technician will work in/around water on lakes rivers and streams that may be dangerous. Exposure to chemical agents for equipment decontamination and specimen preservation and offensive sights and sounds are possible. Extreme caution and safety protocols need to be followed to prevent exposure to serious health hazards indoors and outdoors. Frequent exposure to outdoor hazards such as severe weather water hazards and extreme terrain is expected. Requires lifting up to 40 lbs. on uneven terrain or in water which may expose the employee to slick walking surfaces. Occasional lifting in excess of 40lbs would be required to move equipment or supplies such as rafts boats or items such as 55-gallon barrels of vinegar or addition work in and around watercraft is expected.

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Announcement:

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on March 10 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1 2026.

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement paid vacation sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Specific Job Information:

The Fisheries Division develops programs and budgets to manage aquatic resources. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Bureau is managed and coordinated by staff within the Department headquarters. Implementation of programs are accomplished by the respective AIS coordinators. Monitoring technicians assist the AIS Early Detection Coordinator in carrying out specified AIS management and research activities. Management decisions will often have local statewide and national effects on resource status and conservation. This announcement looks to fill 1 position in either Great Falls Bozeman or Helena. This seasonal monitoring technician position will work from early May through October (weather dependent). Schedules will consist mainly of four 10-hour workdays Monday-Thursday. This position travels extensively throughout their designated area East of the Continental Divide. This position will work with other technicians as part of a team conducting AIS early detection sampling. This position offers a great opportunity to explore and experience central and eastern Montana throughout the changing seasons. A typical work week includes reporting to their designated duty station on Monday and using an FWP-provided pickup to follow a predetermined schedule. Applicants should expect to travel to semi-remote and remote locations with limited services for the entirety of the week on a weekly basis. While traveling crews should expect to camp in semi-remote areas with their own equipment. Applicants will receive a per diem for each night of camping and daily food allowance. It is recommended that applicants consider housing trends in the area prior to applying for this position.

The early detection and monitoring technicians will perform early detection surveys for aquatic invasive plants and macroinvertebrates at locations most at risk to AIS addition the crews monitor existing locations of known populations to assess status. Crews will identify all aquatic plants and macroinvertebrates to species at a site when possible and coordination with the supervisor technicians follow field work schedules with a co-worker to collect a variety of scientific data associated with prioritized AIS projects using established protocols and guidelines; The crew will follow and revise (as necessary) field schedules and perform aquatic invasive species sampling. Crews will need to evaluate each sampling location and situation to determine the best approach for data collection and sampling. Sampling methods may include kick nets plankton net samples plant rakes rock picking snorkeling substrate sampling and eDNA. The applicant will complete basic management of samples collected; enters records summarizes and manages ecological/biological data. Conducts the maintenance purchase repair assembly and testing of a variety of field equipment such as boats and motors vehicles and nets. Cleans and decontaminates boats and equipment to prevent the spread of AIS into other waterbodies. The crews will do most work at high use areas such as boat ramps but will operate equipment such as motorized boats and potentially other non-motorized watercraft to perform sampling. Four-wheel drive vehicles and trailers will also be used during the sampling season. Individuals may serve as a lead worker for day-to-day operations; May represent FWP in public education and outreach.

Other special projects could include eradication and control efforts as those needs arise including the manual mechanical or chemical removal of invasive species. Additionally early detection crews could participate in outreach and education events regarding AIS as needed and directed by the bureau.