Employment
Block title
Job Posting: Rangeland Restoration Specialist
Exemption Classification: Hourly, non-exemptPay: $24-27/hour, DOE
Expected Hours of Work: Full-time seasonal, March-November
Reports To: Restoration Team Lead
Overview:
Join MPG Ranch as a Rangeland Restoration Specialist and contribute to applied restoration
ecology, land management, and ecological research. As part of a collaborative team, you will
have a key role in coordinating and implementing field activities focused on advancing
restoration practices and enhancing ecosystem quality.
Essential Duties:
1. Applied Restoration:
- • Conduct chemical, mechanical, and biological control for invasive weeds and pests.
- • Seed, plant, collect, and propagate restoration plant materials.
- • Organize, install, and conduct field experiments, observational studies, lab, and greenhouse research.
- • Monitor field trials and experiments, collecting data and samples on vegetation and soils.
- • Produce and maintain detailed records of field activity and research using GIS, GPS, and various data management software.
- • Assist in writing detailed reports on fieldwork and experiments.
- • Manage restoration projects, including coordinating, planning, conducting, and leading ecological restoration research and fieldwork.
- • Communicate effectively with co-workers and a variety of external collaborators on
- project logistics.
- Operate various equipment including 100 hp tractor, rangeland seed drill, rotary mower, disc cultivator, UTV boom sprayer, ATV, brush mower, harrow, and other power equipment.
- Operate handheld equipment such as backpack sprayer, gas trimmer, push mower, rototiller, etc.
- Assist in operating greenhouse and equipment for native plant material propagation.
- Maintain inventory of pesticides, seed, and plant material.
- Proficient in operating GPS, tablets, apps, RTK GPS, and other technology for spatial data collection.
- Ability to safely operate a variety of hand, power, and motorized tools and equipment.
- Competency with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets, and relational databases.
- Familiarity with GIS tools such as ESRI ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro, Field Collector, QGIS, QField, and mapping apps like OnX, Google Earth, GAIA, Avenza, or similar.
- Ability to identify noxious weeds and use dichotomous vegetation keys.
- Ability to work independently, organize and create work plans, collect data accurately, and communicate clearly.
Education and Experience Requirement:
- Bachelor’s degree in restoration ecology, rangeland management, natural resources, biology, ecology, environmental science, forestry, or related discipline.
- Two years of experience in weed control, revegetation, field data collection, natural resource management, or related field.
- Montana driver’s license.
- Montana Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License or the ability to acquire within 30 days.
Work outdoors in various conditions, including cold, heat, rain, and snow. Physical demands
include walking long distances over uneven and steep terrain, lifting, driving, and bending. Must
be able to lift 50 lbs.
Travel:
Travel may be required infrequently to attend training or pick up supplies. Overnight stays may
be rare. Must be able to attend work on site.
To apply:
- Send resume, cover letter, and list of two or more references to ranchjobs@mpgranch.com
- Please use the subject line “Restoration Specialist Application” and indicate the available starting date.
- Open until filled with preference to applications received by March 15, 2024
upon request to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Note: This job description outlines core responsibilities and skills required. It is subject to change
by the employer to align with evolving needs.