South Sound Seed Coordinator

Overview Summary

Ecostudies Institute (ESI) is hiring a South Sound Seed Coordinator to support and coordinate regional strategies for assessing and tracking short- and long-term seed needs, evaluating and implementing approaches to optimize seed production and purchase, and building an economic model that ensures
long-term plant material availability for the diverse set of regional partners. Numerous conservation partners, including federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, and non-profit entities have identified the value of regional seed coordination. With increasing restoration, mitigation, and other habitat enhancement opportunities occurring throughout the south Puget Sound region, including on tribal and private lands, an adequate and equitable supply of plant materials is essential.

The coordinator will also play an important role assisting land managers in selecting and producing genetically appropriate plant materials based on the best available science integrating climate resiliency and adaptive management.

This position requires a high-level of initiative, responsibility, interpersonal skills, sound work ethic, and positive attitude. Seed coordination is a complex, cooperative endeavor, requiring significant coordination with other commercial and non-profit growers, Tribal governments, and multiple federal,
state, local and private partners including WA Dept of Natural Resources, WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, Thurston County, Thurston Conservation District, and the Department of Defense.

• Quantify, track, and communicate short- and long-term plant material needs and inventory across the diverse set of stakeholders in the region.
• Meet individually and collectively with regional land managers, restoration planners, and other relevant individuals to advance short- and long-term plant material objectives through goal setting, consensus building, and timely communications.
• Conduct outreach and develop/maintain relationships with current and potential growers to assess and provide recommendations for expanding the growing capacity of native seeds, including by local agricultural producers.
• Initiate and lead regional meetings/workshops aimed at increasing regional growing capacity and investment and buy-in around regional seed coordination strategies.
• Develop and implement strategies to build regional infrastructure (seed storage and cleaning, equipment sharing) that supports native seed production, particularly on agriculture lands.
• Support and expand regional seed collection activities.
• Develop, maintain, and provide access to data systems that support coordinated seed production and purchase, including current inventories.
• Evaluate options for bulk ordering/contracting to optimize purchasing efficiencies and lower costs, across longer time spans.
• Initiate and administer service contracts, ensuring contract compliance and fulfillment of deliverables.
• Seek novel funding opportunities and contribute to collaborative grant proposals to support seed coordination activities.
• Communicate successes and lessons learned to partners, staff and the public through written reports, presentations and other methods as appropriate, including performance and grant reporting.
• Support the development of new projects including project scoping, grant writing, budgeting, communications, and partner development.
• Maintain respectful, reciprocal relationships with government, tribal, and other partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Three years related experience in horticulture, agriculture, and/or ecological restoration as well as a BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and lead complex discussions with partners from various backgrounds and with various priorities.
• Experience working independently and comfort with initiating new partnerships, relationships, and projects.
• Excellent communication and written documentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical staff.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Access, Web browsers).
• Demonstrated cultural competence with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities, and economic backgrounds and/or interest in advancing knowledge or contributing to this work.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Ability to pass a federal background check to qualify for a military base pass as a contractor.
• Willingness and ability to work in the field occasionally; comfort with remote/rural access conditions.

• Knowledge of ecological land management principles and agricultural production systems.
• Experience with commercial seed production and native species cultivation.
• Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems, ideally Coast Salish prairies.
• Knowledge of current trends in conservation, land management and…