Title: Science Assistant (Hourly)
Requisition Id: 4236
Hourly Pay Rate: $20.08
Hourly Pay Grade: H6
Expected Work Schedule:
Job Location: Central Reg Office & Research Ctr (COLUM2)
Closing Date: December 3, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, Alexandra R Morphew , at Alex.Morphew@mdc.mo.gov or call 573 8157900 , during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Assist with the collection, processing, identification, databasing, analysis and reporting of terrestrial invertebrate and botanical data.
Essential Job Duties
- Conduct field research on insect populations by collecting pollinators and other terrestrial invertebrates and recording botanical data.
- Process pollinator and other insect specimens in the lab, including pinning, labeling, and identifying preserved specimens.
- Database insect and botanical records; maintain the accuracy and availability of information in various databases.
- Contribute to various technical and non-technical presentations and publications for scientific journals, papers, posters, pamphlets, websites, and popular articles.
- Provide scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
- Assist or lead terrestrial invertebrate trainings and community science projects.
- Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
- Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, Entomology, Ecology, Botany, or a related field.
- One or more years of field season experience with pollinator and/or insect sampling, taxonomic identification of insects or plants and laboratory processing of insect samples is highly desireable.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
- Experience with data management and QA/QC preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently and make decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
- Ability to navigate using GPS and satellite imagery.
- Knowledge to identify plants in the field or use botanical taxonomic keys.
- Knowledge to identify insects, especially common pollinator species, both in the field and in the lab.
- Ability to collect detailed data in adverse field conditions.
- Skilled with pinning small insects.
- Ability to work irregular and/or long hours and weekends with the possibility of extended travel time during seasonal sampling periods.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Frequently handle biting or stinging insects.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 70% of the time when driving or working in the lab.
- Hike long distances in extreme heat through dense vegetation.
- Regularly use hand tools to build and install insect traps.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Columbia Missouri