Conservation Lands Monitoring Assistant

Overview

Join the City of Missoula's Parks and Recreation team as a Conservation Lands Monitoring Assistant, where you'll play a vital role in the care and upkeep of our city's conservations lands, parks, and urban forests. As a Monitoring Assistant, you will engage in a variety of tasks from assisting with the inventory and monitoring of native plant communities, recreation use, and assessing the effectiveness of conservation projects.

This position offers a unique opportunity to collect valuable data to inform maintenance and management, all while working outdoors in the City's Conservation Lands System.

If you're passionate about the environment and enjoy working in a dynamic team, we want to hear from you!

Applicant Screening will begin on Friday, February 20, 2026. It is in your best interest to apply before this date to ensure your materials are reviewed.

Resumes and other attachments will not be shared with the hiring manager. Please submit all information on the application.

Employment Details:

• Maximum length of season: 90 working days (May 11th – late-October).
• Work Schedule:
  
  Mon-Thurs 7:00am – 5:30pm (10 hours).

Approximate Season Work Breakdown:

• 70% - Field data collection and scientific equipment maintenance.
• 20% - Data entry and processing.
• 5% - Administrative tasks as needed.
• 5% - Other tasks, as assigned.

• Assist with monitoring data collection on Missoula Conservation Lands. Projects may relate to restoration treatment efficacy, sensitive plant communities, recreational use patterns, passive wildlife monitoring, forest composition and health, and other areas as needed.
• Assist with plant, animal and infrastructure inventories to assess Missoula Conservation Land habitat and asset conditions.
• Assist with collecting data for research projects that help inform management practices on Missoula Conservation Lands.
• Maintain electronic data loggers and other scientific equipment.
• Assist with data entry and analysis.
• Perform a variety of native plant restoration tasks, including greenhouse plant maintenance, native plant seed collection, seeding, and restoration site maintenance.
• Perform minor repairs of park infrastructure.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of simple construction and maintenance projects, including the use of equipment, materials, and techniques.
• Knowledge of and ability to promote safety considerations, City safety policies, OSHA standards and guidelines, including risk management techniques to reduce exposure to injury, damage and liability.
• Skill in following oral and written instructions, while working independently with minimum supervision.
• Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365 and social media, with the ability to learn job specific applications and equipment.
• Skill in communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain positive effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to operate small power equipment, hand tools, and light equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to learn City and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to learn Missoula’s open space, parks, and urban forestry systems;
  Montana’s native plants, invasive weeds, and animals.

• Positions require the ability to lift 50 lbs. or less.
• Duties are frequently performed under conditions where noise, heat, dampness or cold are unavoidable.
• Work environment may involve exposure to uneven and steep terrain, occupational hazards, biohazards, and physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

• Any combination of training and experience in construction, landscaping, facility maintenance or another relevant field.
• Must be of legal age to perform the duties of the position.
• Must have a valid Montana driver’s license with a verified acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire.