Pollinator Garden/Biocontrol Coordination

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $17.78

Position: Pollinator Garden/Biocontrol Coordination (Grant funded*)

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full Time, Seasonal*

Department: Weed Department Reports to: Weed District Coordinator

Posting Date: March 23, 2026 Application Deadline: Until filled

Position Grade: Grade 8 Rate of Pay: $17.78/hour

Position Schedule: Mon Thurs, 10 hour shift Benefit Eligible: Full benefits/PERS

*Seasonal This position is a budgeted to run during the growing season. There may be an option for a permanent position, should funding become available, a competitive hiring process would be required.

*Grant-funded This position is a grant funded position. Should funding become unavailable for this position, the position will be cut.

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Weed District Coordinator, the Pollinator Garden/Biocontrol person is responsible for all of the duties associated with the Pollinator garden; plant propagation, plant sales, garden clean up and irrigation, & beekeeping. Beekeeping duties will consist of the following: hive management, bee health, product harvesting, record keeping and attending regular meetings with the Bitterroot Beekeepers. Garden duties include: turf maintenance, irrigation, design and installation of new plants, plant propagation, greenhouse maintenance, preparing orders for greenhouse supplies. This position will also be directly responsible for planning and executing public collection days for the knapweed weevil. The garden and bio control program is grant funded. While directly responsible to the Weed District Coordinator, all activities will be directed by the Weed District Coordinator and the priorities there of. Education programs will include preparation and executing class room presentations, outdoor activities, weed pulls and other public events associated with the pollinator garden and bio control.

Work days are Monday Thursday and occasional weekends, Occasional Travel

Travel Required:

Within Ravalli County with occasional out of county travel

Duties/Responsibilities:

Garden, maintenance, sales

Gardening

• Planting: Sowing seeds, transplanting seedlings, and installing new plants like flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Soil Preparation: Ensuring proper soil conditions for healthy plant growth, including tilling, adding amendments, and testing soil health.
• Watering: Providing adequate water to plants, considering factors like plant type, weather, and soil moisture.
• Fertilizing: Applying fertilizers to nourish plants and promote healthy growth.
• Weeding: Removing unwanted plants that compete with desired vegetation.
• Pruning: Trimming and shaping plants to maintain their health, appearance, and productivity.
• Mulching: Applying a layer of material (like wood chips or straw) to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Lawn Care

• Mowing: Cutting grass to a desired height and maintaining a neat appearance.
• Edging: Creating clean lines along walkways, flowerbeds, and other areas.
• Fertilizing and Aerating: Providing nutrients and improving airflow to the lawn's soil.

Pest and Disease Management

• Monitoring: Regularly inspecting plants for signs of pests or diseases.
• Identification: Accurately identifying the specific pest or disease affecting the plants.
• Treatment: Applying appropriate solutions (organic or chemical) to control the issue.

Other Tasks:

• Operating and maintaining gardening tools and equipment: This includes everything from hand tools to power tools like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers.
• Cleaning: Keeping the garden and surrounding areas tidy, removing debris and litter.
• Irrigation System Maintenance: Ensuring proper functioning of irrigation systems for efficient watering.
• Landscape Design and Maintenance: May involve assisting with design elements, seasonal planting plans, and creating specific garden features.
• Safety: Adhering to safety regulations and maintaining a safe working environment. Public safety is most important while touring in the garden.
• Label and price plants
• Develop and keep educational interpretive signs up to date and visible for public
• Be willing to water on weekends if needed.
• Keep planting work stations clean, and potting area organized.
• Promote plants and bio control though RCWD social media platforms.
• Write weekly articles for public education about natives, pollinator plants, bees etc.
• Plant, and maintain community gardens parks and fairgrounds or other locations decided on

Sales

Customer Interaction & Sales:

• Assisting customers - Helping customers find the right plants for their needs, considering factors like sunlight, space, and care requirements.
• Providing advice - Offering guidance on plant care, including watering, fertilizing, pest control, and appropriate growing conditions.
• Making suggestions - Recommending related products like pots, soil, and gardening tools to enhance the customer's gardening experience.
• Processing sales -Handling cash and card transactions accurately using the county card processing program
• Tracking all sales and keeping sale records in a spread sheet and preparing a deposit sheet with accurate coding.
• Record keeping - Keep accurate record of plants started and sold

Bio-Control

Fieldwork & Site Management:

• Locating and establishing collection sites: Identifying suitable areas for collecting biocontrol agents, such as specific plant or insect populations.
• Working with landowners: Obtaining permission and maintaining positive relationships with property owners where sites are located.
• Maintaining collection sites: Ensuring the site remains suitable for the biocontrol agent and is properly managed.
• Conducting surveys: Identifying and assessing the presence and abundance of biocontrol agents and their target pests.
• Collecting data: Recording observations, measurements, and other relevant information about the biocontrol agent and its impact.
• Preparing daily monitoring forms: Documenting activities and findings related to biocontrol efforts.
• Maintaining supplies: Ensuring necessary equipment and materials are available for fieldwork.
• Hold public collection days.

Rearing and Release

• Designing and implementing biocontrol plans - developing strategies for using biocontrol agents to manage specific pests or weeds.
• Developing rearing and monitoring systems - Creating methods for raising and tracking the biocontrol agents in a controlled environment.
• Releasing biocontrol agents -Strategically introducing the agents into the field to control target pests or weeds.
• Monitoring pest suppression - assessing the effectiveness of the biocontrol agent in reducing pest populations.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Supporting biological monitoring - Providing oversight and support for biological monitoring activities related to conservation projects.
• Providing on-site environmental awareness training - Educating workers about best management practices and environmental considerations.
• Contributing to overall goals - Participating in special projects and initiatives to further the organization's mission.
• Fostering positive relationships - Collaborating with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.

General Office

• Attend regular group office meetings to keep updated on happenings, safety, and tasks
• Maintain all records in paper and computer form
• Help maintain all the data collected in the mapping database for bio-control. Find data as needed and requested.
• Assist and perform landowner visits and evaluations as needed and instructed by the coordinator.
  • Onsite subdivision noxious weed evaluations
  • Onsite landowner visits
  • Complaint onsite land visits
• Plan garden and bio control events and assist with planning and participate in public events, meetings, weed pulls and trainings.
• Be professional and respectable at all times in all interactions with the public.

• Develop, make, and handout educational materials about pollinator plants and bio control
• Make written suggestions for the improvement of the garden and biocontrol program and submit to coordinator for approval and implementation priorities.
• Attend educational classes and meetings locally to improve our education base.
• Work on special projects as directed by the coordinator
• Public outreach assistance
• Maintain accurate and timely records
• Assist with tracking garden and bio control operational/grant budgets
• Assist in weed seed free Forage inspections when needed

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of, and experience with, standard computer software applications including; business accounting systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Outlook.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and basic accounting (claims preparation, spreadsheets, tracking grant budge/expenses).
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats with other employees and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective and professional working relationships with department employees in a team setting and the public.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years administrative experience preferred.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

Work Environment:

• Monday Thursdays
• Periods of working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Occasional weekend or evening hours may be required.
• Exposure to allergens (weeds, pollen, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Ravalli County is an equal employment opportunity employer (EEO). Ravalli County does not refuse employment or discriminate in compensation or the other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based upon race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, or veterans status.

Other Duties:

As assigned to be an effective team member

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.