Seed Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.

The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.

Core Values:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana's forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.

• We value and respect each other. 
• We create collaborative work environments.
• We build and maintain strong relationships.
• We practice accountability.
• We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work

Job Overview: 
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.

Primary duties include:  

• 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)

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).

Physical Requirements:  Applicants must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. to a height of approximately 3 feet frequently, stand for extended periods, perform repetitive hand and arm movements (bend, reach, push, and pull), move between standing and kneeling positions and possess fine motor skills necessary to accomplish detail-oriented tasks. 

Special Information: This recruitment is for short term work not to exceed 90 working days. This position has an anticipated start date of October 5, 2026 and end date of February 12, 2027. A representative from the nursery will contact eligible candidates for an in-person interview.

Qualifications:The successful applicant must be dependable, able to follow written and verbal instructions, and be comfortable performing repetitive, detail-oriented work independently and as part of a team.  

Skills and Abilities:

• 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  

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. The ability to follow verbal and written instruction is critical.  

Education and Experience: No directly related experience is required. The knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and approximately three months experience in nursery, horticultural, agricultural, farm, ranch, warehouse, production, laboratory or other related work. 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.