FROM: CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY DATE: 01/30/2012 CLOSING DATE: 02/17/2012 The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is seeking a Coordinator/botanist for the desert portion of the CNPS Rare Plant Treasure Hunt, a full-time temporary position for approximately six months 2012 (up to 1-3 years or more, depending on funding). The successful candidate will coordinate and lead teams of botanists and amateurs to collect rare plant data, in areas of historical rare plant occurrences within Californias deserts and arid transition zones. The coordinator will work in an office 2-3 days a week (more at onset), conducting outreach and coordinating survey events. The coordinator will spend the remainder of the time in the field, participating in 1-3 day sampling missions often with volunteers, collecting rare plant occurrence information, and camping overnight when necessary. There will be considerable travel involved in this position to conduct outreach and surveys, and most of the field work will be on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts and some later season arid transition Forest Service lands. This project is part of the statewide CNPS Rare Plant Treasure Hunt. This portion is funded by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the BLM. Please note that housing is not provided. You may read more about the Rare Plant Treasure Hunt on our webpage at http://cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/treasurehunt/. This will be the third year of the project.
Office Location The office is located in Claremont, CA. Field Locations BLM land throughout Mojave and Sonoran Deserts and arid transitional lands. The principal focus of this work will consist of outreach to and coordination of volunteers, and to lead trips with volunteers to search for new and historical occurrences of rare plants on BLM lands in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts and some arid transitional lands. The coordinators time will be a mix of volunteer outreach, coordination, and field work, leading trips conducting rare plant searches, collecting rare plant data, and collecting and making plant vouchers. This is a great opportunity for people interested in rare plant biology, botany, and citizen science education in Californias arid lands. Physical job requirements include sitting, driving, carrying, lifting, standing, hiking, and camping. The position requires the ability to work long field days under rigorous conditions (including inclement conditions), to hike in rugged terrain, to camp in primitive conditions, and to lift/carry equipment that is up to 1/3 of your body weight. The coordinator will need to work many weekends with volunteers. Qualifications for the successful applicant include the following: Experience with volunteer coordination and outreach. Strong background in Californias desert plant identification to the subspecies and variety level. Experience in herbarium botany, plant collecting protocols, and plant pressing techniques Excellent people and organizational skills, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude. Willingness and ability work independently in the field and in a remote office. Graduate or undergraduate degree in biology, botany, or a related field. Ability to give and take direction. Strong written and oral communication skills. Experience with conducting rare plant surveys. Working knowledge of GIS to produce maps for volunteers. Proven ability to conduct fieldwork in varied environmental conditions, including hot and otherwise inclement weather. Ability to drive 4X4 vehicles over variable terrain. A valid California drivers license, proof of current car insurance, and a safe driving record. Ability to lead/train people and ensure safe environment in the desert. Experience leading field crews to perform botanical, ecological, or conservation work would be ideal. Experienced at coordinating daily field tasks for people with varying levels of knowledge. Ability to manage data for volunteer field teams, ensuring data are recorded and entered accurately, consistently, and efficiently. Experience using GPS (Global Positioning System) units and other plant survey equipment (e.g., tape measure, compass, topo maps). Certificates in First aid, CPR, and or Wilderness first responder Primary Duties and Responsibilities Conduct outreach to volunteers and botanists in CNPS and to groups outside of CNPS, through letters, presentations, press releases, email, and other outreach methods. Assist with production of educational materials for participants. Coordinate and schedule teams of experienced botanists with amateurs for rare plant searches. Lead trips with volunteers to conduct Rare Plant Treasure Hunts. Work with BLM managers, other partners and agency staff, and botanists to identify rare plant survey priorities and arrange necessary permits/permission to conduct searches and collect voucher specimens. Prepare and submit herbarium vouchers with labels to university herbaria. Attend trainings and train team leaders when necessary. Strive to meet project goals as stated in grants and with supervisor. Manage data collected, sending data forms to California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Follow up with volunteers, and conduct project evaluations with volunteers and partners. Assist with grant reports and grant applications as necessary. Interact directly with the CNPS project supervisors for project planning and transfer of field data. The salary is offered at $17-20 per hour, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, temporary at-will, field and office position. Start time and duration of job beginning in February 2012, through August or January 2013, depending on funding. Extended employment may be possible through future grants/contracts. Background: The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization, founded in 1965, with more than 9,000 members in 33 chapters. The mission of CNPS is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats, and to increase the understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. To apply, submit the following materials: cover letter of interest with résumé or curriculum vitae, and three references (including reference name, address, phone number, and email). The primary contact is Josie Crawford, Education Program Director. Please do not call regarding this position, and send your application materials via post mail, fax, or email to: California Native Plant Society 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95816 Attn: Rare Plant Treasure Hunt position Fax: (916) 447-2727 Email: [email protected] Application deadline and interview: All applications must be received in our office by February 17, 2012. Review of applications will occur upon receipt (before closing deadline), and hiring will occur by March 1, 2012. Please see the CNPS website descriptions of the CNPS organization and the various programs at www.cnps.org. The California Native Plant Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F
