JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Rare Plant Botanist Full time, non-exempt at will position
Starting Date: May 16, 2006 Closing Date: June 16, or longer until the position is filled Background The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization, founded in 1965, with approximately 10,000 members in 32 chapters, and 15 full and part-time staff. The mission of CNPS is to increase understanding and appreciation of Californias native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. The Position The Rare Plant Botanist is the lead staff person of the CNPS Rare Plant Program which develops and maintains information resources about Californias rare plants. The Program promotes the optimal use of good science in the protection and conservation of rare plants. The Program also leads the effort to place rare plant species on California and Federal lists of endangered species. The Rare Plant Botanist conducts literature research on rare plants; updates to the Rare Plant Inventory database; compiles and distributes data for rare species inventory reviews; meets with agency botanists and chapter volunteers; and serves as the liaison with Department of Fish and Game (DFG) California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), to name a few (see job description). The Rare Plant Botanist is a full time, non-exempt at will position. Work locations are in Sacramento, California at DFG and CNPS offices, with required occasional travel and overnight stays for field work and meetings. Experience, Education, & Skills A successful candidate will have the following experience and education: 1. At least three years of work experience as a botanist. 2. A Masters Degree in Botany or related field or an undergraduate degree with at least five years professional experience. The Rare Plant Botanist must have the following skills and abilities: 1. Broad botanical knowledge, including plant identification, California botany and floristics, conservation biology, and vegetation ecology; 2. Knowledge of plant conservation laws and regulations, both California and Federal; 3. High degree of commitment and dedication to plant conservation goals; 4. Strong computer literacy (Windows OS, Word, Excel, and email at minimum), and strong database management skills and data entry proficiency (Access); 5. Strong writing and verbal communication skills; familiarity with GIS mapping methods such as ArchView, desirable; 6. Strong analytical and organizational skills, with an attention to detail; 7. Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including CNPS volunteers, agency personnel, academics, and other professional and amateur botanists; and, 8. Ability to work independently and as part of the CNPS team, willingness to work within CNPS agenda and be open-minded as well as exercise professional judgment. Additional Job Requirements A valid California drivers license and proof of car insurance are required. A background check may be conducted for successful candidates. Salary and Benefits $35,000 $40,000 per year plus benefits. For More Information To view the job description for this position, please log on to the CNPS web site at www.cnps.org (description available in PDF format). Application Process Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, a résumé, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references. Applications should be mailed to the attention of: Amanda Jorgenson Executive Director ATTN: Rare Plant Botanist California Native Plant Society 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95816 No phone inquiries will be accepted. Applications may be faxed or emailed in order to meet the deadline, but an original application must also be mailed. The fax number is (916) 447-2727 and the email address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] CNPS is an equal opportunity employer JOB DESCRIPTION Rare Plant Program Botanist Background The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization, founded in 1965, with approximately 10,000 members in 32 chapters. The mission of CNPS is to increase understanding and appreciation of Californias native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. The Position The Rare Plant Botanist is the lead staff person for the implementation of the Rare Plant Program. The Program, a component of the Plant Sciences Program of CNPS, is dedicated to developing and maintaining information resources about statewide rare plants in California. The Program promotes the optimal use of good science in the protection and conservation of statewide rare plants. The Program also leads efforts to obtain proper placement of rare plant species on California and Federal lists of endangered species. The Rare Plant Botanist is a full-time, exempt at will position. The Rare Plant Botanist is supervised by the Executive Director. Education Minimum education: Masters degree in botany or related field or undergraduate degree with at least five years of professional experience. Experience & Skills The Rare Plant Botanist must have the following experience and skills: 1. Broad botanical knowledge, including plant identification, California botany and floristics, conservation biology, and vegetation ecology; 2. Knowledge of plant conservation laws and regulations, both California and Federal; 3. High degree of commitment and dedication to plant conservation goals; 4. Strong computer literacy (Windows OS, Word, Excel, and email at minimum), and strong database management skills and data entry proficiency (Access); 5. Strong writing and verbal communication skills; 6. Strong analytical and organizational skills, with an attention to detail; familiarity with GIS mapping methods, such as ArchView, desirable; 7. Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including CNPS volunteers, agency personnel, academics, and other professional and amateur botanists; and 8. Ability to work independently and as part of the CNPS team, willingness to work within CNPS agenda and be open-minded as well as exercise professional judgment. Principal Duties & Responsibilities The duties of the Rare Plant Botanist include the following: Manage the Rare Plant element of the Plant Science Program and establish day-to-day priorities for Rare Plant science activities. Develop yearly budgets and program priorities. Conduct or supervise research, data entry, and quality control of the CNPS rare plant database, which is the foundation of the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (Inventory). Coordinate library and herbarium research, and development and utilization of a network of local and regional experts on California's rare flora. Maintain CNPS computer and hardcopy rare plant files. Serve as primary liaison with Department of Fish and Game (DFG) California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Conduct and supervise research on the status, nomenclature, distribution and abundance, and endangerment of rare plants. Ensure proper data sharing with the CNDDB. Arrange for distribution of CNDDB data to CNPS rare plant advocates. Generate and distribute rare plant data and information for public agencies, conservationists, consultants, researchers, media (listing press releases and species in the news), and others. Answer inquiries regarding plants in the CNPS database. Coordinate, collaborate and consult with chapter Rare Plant Coordinators in their efforts. Support continuing approaches to Inventory data analysis, display, and dissemination (e.g. via computer application, the Online Inventory). Assist efforts to create data links between agencies and other conservation organizations and the CNPS Rare Plant Program. Promote the proper placement of rare plant species on state and Federal lists of endangered species, via listing petition development and editing, cooperative efforts with DFG and USFWS, and provide scientific information for legal action where necessary. Attend monthly CNPS staff and Chapter Council meetings. Represent CNPS and the Rare Plant Program at meetings (e.g. Interagency Botanist meeting, various agency meetings) and conferences. Conduct fieldwork and site visits, as necessary, to coordinate efforts to identify, protect, and manage rare plants. Develop appropriate research proposals. Assist in conservation and education / outreach activities, time permitting and as necessary. Maintain and expand the CNPS rare plant reference library and slide collection. Recruit, train, and supervise junior staff, interns, and volunteers within the Program. Support CNPS fund raising efforts through writing grant proposals. Other job duties as assigned. Pertaining to the above duties, the following work is required of the Rare Plant Botanist: prolonged sitting, standing, and bending; prolonged use of a computer and mouse; extended periods of data entry; use of library, online, and other materials for research; use of phone and email for communication; occasional photocopying and filing; occasional field work involving hiking and camping; driving to meetings as necessary. Additional Job Requirements Work time is Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, with work to be performed between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm. Work locations are in Sacramento, California, at DFG and CNPS offices, though occasional travel and overnight stays for field work and meetings are required. There are some meetings scheduled on Saturday throughout the year, though other weekend work may be required. A valid California drivers license and proof of car insurance are required, provided annually. A background check may be conducted for successful candidates.
