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Title: Invasive Species Specialist
Organization: Ottawa Conservation District
Details: The Ottawa Conservation District is currently hiring an Invasive Species Specialist to carry out the work of the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA). This is a full-time, benefited, and grant-funded position.
Responsibilities and duties:
● Prepare work plans for the OCD Invasive Species Strike Team
● Train OCD seasonal Invasive Species Strike Team
● Assist the Coordinator in setting best management practices
● Assist OCD crews with day-to-day needs and problem-solving
● Ensure OCD crews have all the necessary supplies
● Repair and maintain equipment, including backpack sprayers, boat, and trailer
● File legal permits, including Aquatic Nuisance Control and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
● Ensure accurate data collection and maintain treatment data sets
● Ensure safe and legal pesticide use by crews
● Assist the Coordinator in setting and tracking project deliverables and timelines
● Responsible for assisting the Coordinator in hiring, training, and supervising the Invasive Species Strike Team ● Familiarity with pesticide laws and regulations
● Utilize ArcGIS to develop functional maps for various projects
● Answer all landowner inquiries promptly
● Conduct site visits for suspected watch list species
● Assist the Invasive Species Strike Team and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Crew with surveys and treatments
● Assist the Coordinator with treatment workshops, trainings, and presentations as needed
Desired Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, ornamental horticulture, or related field; and at least 2 years of experience in landscape management, nursery work, invasive species control, or land management
● Must possess a Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification (Categories 2, 3A, 3B, 5, 6 preferred) ● Must have a valid driver’s license
● Experience developing and coordinating work plans and providing leadership for a team
● Ability to recognize and properly identify aquatic and terrestrial native and invasive plants
● Ability to recognize and properly identify forest pests and diseases
● Knowledge of invasive species control techniques
● Experience applying pesticides
● Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel)
● Proficient in ArcGIS Online
● Experience with data entry and management
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language
● Experience collaborating on, developing, and delivering conservation on education programs
● Experience working in various field conditions
● Michigan Boating License and experience preferred
Compensation: $20-$23/hour, based on experience
Link: https://ottawacd.org/job-opportunities/
To Apply: To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and references as a single PDF to murielle.garbarino@macd.org with “Invasive Species Specialist” in the subject line.
Application Deadline: 2026-04-19
Please note:
For more information, please view the full Invasive Species Specialist Position Description at https://ottawacd.org/job-opportunities/
If you have any questions, please call or email Murielle Garbarino at (616) 414-2055.
West Michigan Conservation Network 