Lab Technician 1

State of Montana•Helena, MT

8h•Onsite

About The Position

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL. Announcement: Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter References 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 8th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. Special Information: Repetitive work in a laboratory setting including standing/sitting for extended periods of time. Work around chemicals (ethanol, acetic acid, bleach, acetone). Lifting and carrying heavy boxes up and down stairs frequently. Spending the most time looking at water samples under a microscope. Normal work is typically Monday-Friday during normal business hours. 40 hours a week. Busiest Season in April-October for plankton sample processing. Resume, cover letter, and supplemental questions required. Position is based in Helena, MT, the state capitol, a central location to all Montana has to offer. Great centralized location with plentiful hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities nearby. 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 1,040 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. Job Duties: The Lab technician's primary responsibility is to assist the lead lab tech with the processing of plankton samples from all over Montana and Missouri River Basin states. This includes filtering samples, washing laboratory glassware, and examining samples utilizing both a compound microscope and a dissecting microscope. Organisms are searched for using both bright field and cross-polarized light microscopy. Suspect or unknown organisms are measured and photographed using digital camera and video software. Samples are logged into an online database as collected and then as processed in the lab so close to real-time data of sample progress is available. Incumbent should be detail-oriented with diligent organizational skills with excellent record keeping abilities as the lab process over 3,000 samples annually. Incumbent may also be needed to assist with field monitoring crews and training, special projects or educational events.

Requirements

detail-oriented
diligent organizational skills
excellent record keeping abilities
Associate's Degree

Responsibilities

assist the lead lab tech with the processing of plankton samples from all over Montana and Missouri River Basin states
filtering samples
washing laboratory glassware
examining samples utilizing both a compound microscope and a dissecting microscope
searching for organisms using both bright field and cross-polarized light microscopy
measuring and photographing suspect or unknown organisms using digital camera and video software
logging samples into an online database
assist with field monitoring crews and training, special projects or educational events