Restoration Technician (Short-Term)

The Butte Hill Tree Planting Program is a grant-funded program to install native trees, forbs, shrubs, and grasses on reclaimed areas across the Butte Hill. These plants slow the flow of stormwater and limit the potential transport of mine waste contamination into the municipal stormwater system and into Silver Bow Creek where metals could endanger aquatic species. In this position, the Restoration Technician will perform general maintenance of planting areas including watering plants on a specified schedule, monitoring soil moisture, hand-weeding planting areas, and applying deer deterrents to protect plants from excessive animal browsing.

This position is expected to run from May - October 2026.

This work is performed under the general direction and supervision of the Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services Data Division Manager. Responsibilities include measuring soil moisture, watering planting areas in accordance with an approved watering plan, hand-weeding planting areas, applying deer deterrents for browse control, and installing plants in the fall.  

• Waters plants for an assigned duration based on moisture measurements.
  • Approximately 20 hours/week
• Collects soil moisture readings for specified planting areas and document moisture content and environmental conditions to inform the required watering plan. 
• Operates the watering truck including filling the watering tank, fueling the vehicle, and operating the watering system in the field; monitor truck for maintenance needs including winterization if weather requires.
  • Approximately 3 hours a week
• Observes the conditions of planting areas for maintenance requirements, such as weeding or animal browsing, and develop maintenance objectives with the project manager.
• Maintains planting areas by removing weeds or competing grasses to ensure native plant survival using hand pulling or mechanical means, as necessary; apply animal browse control monthly  
  • Approximately 3 hours a week
• Assists with plant installation in the fall. Use a soil auger to drill planting locations for the installation of native plants and install between 10 and 40 cubic inch native species in the prepared planting areas.
  • 4 full weeks
• Performs all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner.  Specifically, complying with the Health and Safety Program; maintaining work areas in a safe and orderly manner; identifying and reporting unsafe conditions; reporting all accidents; wearing required personal protective equipment, and attending safety-related training sessions.
• Performs all duties and work assignments in compliance with project quality requirements.
• Acts responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
• Performs related work as required.
• Maintains a positive attitude when interacting with supervisors, coworkers, and members of the public.  
• Follows all Butte-Silver Bow rules and regulations.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• A bachelor’s degree in biology, restoration ecology, or a related field, or
• Experience working with native plant cultivation, planting techniques, and data collection, analysis, and documentation, or
• Any equivalent combination of experience or training which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work

Required Special Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License issued by the State of Montana.
• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance.  See below.

“2.08.010 Residence during employment.  From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1979)”

 Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to lift 10 pounds and walk for an 8-hour continuous shift.   
• Sufficient vision with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to read and view planting conditions.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with others, both in person and by telephone.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status. 

This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities. Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.