Native Seed Technician - Short Term Worker

State of Montana•Missoula, MT

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana DNRC Conservation Seedling Nursery’s Native Seed Program produces eco-regional native forb (wildflower) and grass seed derived from locally collected wild plant populations. The seed produced is used to help private landowners, government agencies, natural resource organizations, and other interested parties achieve their conservation goals. This fall/winter position will primarily support post-harvest seed processing, inventory preparation, and seed sale activities. The Native Seed Technician will work closely with the Native Seed Program Coordinator to process, clean and package eco-regional seed from 10+ acres of production fields and prepare seed for storage, inventory, and sale. The majority of this work during this employment period will occur indoors and involve seed cleaning, processing, packaging, inventory and sales preparation. Seed processing requires patience, consistency and strong attention to detail. Employees routinely work with multiple native species and seed lots, making accurate labeling, weighing, recordkeeping, and prevention of cross-contamination important components of this job. Work may involve standing for extended periods, repetitive tasks, lifting, and moving bags or containers or seed and plant material and working around seed cleaning machinery, dust and dried plant material. Some end of harvest and seed field clean-up activities will occur outdoors during fall and winter weather, requiring physically demanding work (e.g., weeding, harvesting).

Requirements

Dependable
Able to follow written and verbal instructions
Comfortable performing repetitive, detail-oriented work independently and as part of a team
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to carefully weigh, package, label, and track multiple seed lots
Ability to follow established seed processing and equipment procedures
Ability to maintain an organized and clean work area
Ability to safely operate or learn to operate seed cleaning and other nursery equipment
Ability to maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and provide professional assistance during seed sales and order fulfillment
Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks and remain standing for an extended period
Ability to safely lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds
Ability to follow verbal and written instruction is critical

Nice To Haves

An interest in native plants, seed production, agriculture, restoration, or conservation of Montana’s natural resources is beneficial.
Previous experience with seed cleaning, seed production, agriculture, nursery production, native plant identification, inventory, packaging, or similar detail-oriented production work is desirable but not required.
Additional education or experience in natural resources, horticulture, agriculture, botany, restoration, native plant production, seed production, or nursery experience is helpful but not required.
Experience in the native seed industry, including seed collection, seed production, seed cleaning, processing, packaging, or inventory management is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Operating seed cleaning and processing equipment to separate seed from harvested plant material
Hand-cleaning and sorting when necessary
Weighing, measuring, mixing, packaging, and labeling native seed
Maintaining accurate identification of seed lots throughout processing and packaging
Organizing processed seed and assisting with seed inventory and storage
Maintaining clean and organized seed processing and work areas
Preparing seed orders and assisting with customer sales and order fulfillment
Recording weights, quantities, seed lot information, and other production information
Assisting with remaining fall harvest, seed field cleanup, weeding, and other seasonal field work as needed
Occasionally assisting with other nursery production activities when necessary
Occasionally operating nursery equipment (e.g., forklifts, work vehicles)