Missouri Botanical Garden / United States Forest Service- Seasonal Seed Collector, Mark Twain National Forest
Purpose: To collect and bank, or store, native seed from plant species on Region 9s Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS) List and associated species and the Missouri Botanical Garden Seed Bank priority species list. Seed collected from native plant populations on Region 9 United States Forest Service Land will contribute to native plant ex-situ conservation and help meet long-term seed storage goals. This program is part of an agreement between Chicago Botanic Garden and the US Forest Service to collect RFSS seed from within Region 9. The position advertised here is for a position to be based on the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and will be supervised by the Missouri Botanical Garden Seed Bank Coordinator. The seasonal employee will gain a tremendous amount of field experience with the Ozark flora, training and knowledge of the Seeds Of Success and USFS Sensitive Species collection protocols, and will have the opportunity to network and work with staff from the Mark Twain National Forest and the Missouri Botanical Garden. Duties and Responsibilities: - Collection of seeds from common native plant species from the Missouri Botanical Garden priority species list - Collection of seeds from sensitive native plant species on the USFSs RFSS list. - Maintain complete and detailed data records on all native seed collections, per the MBG-SB and CBGs requirements. - Plant Identification skills for the Ozark Regional Flora - Follow all protocols and shipping directions for the final destinations of various native seed collections. - Participate in any necessary training on seed collection and cleaning protocols, participate in cleaning seed collections. - Read topographic maps and navigate with a compass and GPS Unit. - Be familiar with responsible backcountry safety measures. - Follow any safety measures or regulations that the USFS requires. - Camp or spend multiple days in a bunkhouse on USFS land in remote locations. - Constant communication with MBG-SB staff to update on collection progress and safety. - Access to your own vehicle and a valid drivers license Duration: approximately 15 weeks, June-Sept 2014. Start date flexible. Housing available on MTNF. Reports To: Seed Bank Manager, Horticulture Department, Missouri Botanical Garden Cooperative Relationships: Chicago Botanic Garden, Region 9 United States Forest Service, USFS National Seed Laboratory and the Seeds of Success (SOS) Program. Position Requirements: This seed collector should be extremely motivated, an independent worker, and have an extremely strong work ethic. S/he should feel comfortable being alone in remote wilderness areas and have access to their own vehicle and a valid drivers license. The ideal candidate would also be well organized and attentive to detail with excellent plant identification skills. Ideally this person would have the education equivalent to their Masters in botany or an equivalent amount of field experience. Candidate should have excellent communication skills for the purpose of their own safety and to network with the local United States Forest Service staff. To apply: Please send resume, cover letter and a list of references to [email protected]
