Hourly Position Announcement
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Natural Lands Management, State Forestry Service
Natural Heritage Program
February 13, 2017
Job Title:
Field Botanist/Data Manager
Job Summary:
Perform duties in support of the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program,
including botanical field survey and data collection, database entry,
project/activity review, and related tasks and duties.
Job Description:
Under the supervision of New Jersey Natural Heritage Program (NHP)
staff, the successful candidate's primary responsibilities will include
the collection and dissemination of data and demonstrated expertise
pertaining the State’s endangered and imperiled native flora, pursuant
to the Natural Heritage Act of 1988 (N.J.S.A. 13:1B-15.146 et seq.).
The NHP maintains the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) manual and computerized database on the location and
status of rare plant species and ecological communities—the Heritage or
Biotics database. Statutorily, this database is the basis for the DEP’s
Data Services clearinghouse for information on the State's biodiversity
and for development of and amendment to NJ’s codified list of Endangered
Plant Species. The database also guides programs for state acquisition
of lands for conservation, and is used to develop varied GIS products.
This position will support the Biotics database and biodiversity
protection through the collection of field data on the State’s rare
flora and through project and permit review. Specific duties may
include, as directed by the senior NHP Botanist or other full-time staff:
* Perform seasonal field surveys and inspections of a varied nature in
order to supplement and enhance information on occurrences of over 800
native NJ plant species listed as endangered or categorized as plant
species of concern (threatened) by the DEP;
* Enter field information on plant occurrences into the Biotics database
to support the DEP’s conservation, listing, planning and regulatory
functions;
* Perform all or selected aspects of NHP data review and botanical
consulting services. May include specialized reviews of projects or
activities proposed for DEP-administered lands and waters, or reviews
requested from the DEP’s permitting, regulatory and enforcement agencies;
* Conduct independent research and analysis with the purpose of
obtaining information on rare plant species and associated ecological
communities that will improve the scientific basis for conservation,
listing, planning and regulatory programs and decisions;
* Develop materials (Request for Proposal, Scope of Work) in support of
professional consultant services for botanical surveys and inventories,
and oversee activities and progress of contractors in timely delivery of
all required products and services; and
* Perform other duties of a varied nature that are consistent with the
Natural Heritage Act and/or to supplement the NHP Data Services function.
Education:
Master’s degree in botany, plant ecology or related environmental field.
Experience:
* Working knowledge of Northeastern or Mid-Atlantic flora.
* Proven ability to perform surveys under rigorous field conditions
based on existing occurrence information, herbarium collections and
other historical data, as well as de novo field survey work.
* Familiarity with the taxonomic literature. History of publication
desired.
* Experience in identifying and describing ecological communities desired.
Skills:
* Ability to interact and cooperate effectively with persons of varied
natural resource backgrounds within and outside the DEP, as well as
persons who lack botanical expertise but play a role in application and
enforcement of regulations that protect rare flora and the habitats that
support them.
* Strong written and oral communications skills, including effective
public speaking to foster elevation of the importance of the state’s
flora and educate diverse persons and organizations on the state’s
ecology, plant biodiversity and the science of species rarity.
* Working knowledge of computer database and mapping systems such as
Word, Excel, Access, ArcGIS, and use of GPS, or interest in proficiency
in such applications.
Additional:
* Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel
extensively throughout the state.
* This position may include restrictions on weekly hours as well as
seasonal work limitations. Benefits are not included. The DEP intends
to pursue full-time employment for the successful candidate, which would
include a benefits package, depending on, among other factors,
performance during hourly employment.
* Position is based in the Trenton, New Jersey offices of the DEP.
Forward resume and supporting materials by March 31, 2017 to:
Robert J. Cartica
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Natural Lands Management
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
609-984-1339
Fax: 609-984-1427
[email protected]
