Botany Specialist

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, seeks a botany apprentice to contribute to native plant materials development and restoration projects.

Base location:
Hurricane, UT (Working in Zion and Bryce NP).

Start Date:

June 27th.

ACE members will join a coordinated seed collection effort to support ecological restoration goals. These are developmental positions in the botanical sciences and will work closely with vegetation staff and learn directly from other practitioners. ACE members will gain direct technical training in botanical systematics and techniques for seed collection and curation. Project work will increase development of native plant materials for targeted restoration activities on public lands.
Ace Members will gain work and technical experience as well as have educational opportunities throughout the project duration. Work activities across units will center on native plant materials development, but specific project tasks will vary based on location. This work may include botanical surveys to locate target populations of management interest, seed evaluation and collection, and seed curation. This project supports the seed collection that is essential to vegetation by providing the necessary native plant materials to promote the restoration of native plant communities.

The Botany Specialist will be responsible for maintaining knowledge of target seed species, techniques to maximize seed collection efficiency, Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol, native and invasive plant identification, and proper data collection practices. This individual will provide critical support by helping plan project activities, ensuring accurate seed identification and collection, and promoting adherence to SOS best practices.

This placement is meant to facilitate professional development, promote exposure to land management agencies, and provide networking opportunities with professionals.

• Planning schedules with the Crew Leader
• Scouting and implementing seed collection, managing project data
• Ensuring the quality and accuracy of both seed and data collection efforts.
• Travel to field sites and camp two to seven nights per week during seed collection trips.
• Conduct fieldwork both indoors and outdoors under a wide range of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures and steep terrain.
• Office-based duties such as project coordination and report writing are sedentary and require the ability to concentrate for extended periods.

A typical schedule is eight ten‑hour days followed by six days off or four ten‑hour days with three days off.

Living Allowance:
The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours per week and will receive a living allowance of $800 per week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi‑weekly.

Housing: ACE provides housing in Hurricane, UT for off days.

Provided Training and Orientation: ACE members will receive position‑specific training and an orientation prior to starting this position. ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include plant systematics, botany, seed collection and curation, Seeds of Success technical protocol, specimen collection and curation, and other relevant local training.

• Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self‑directed / work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three‑part criminal history check for Ameri Corps positions and two‑part criminal history check for non‑Ameri Corps positions.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to…