Botanist jobs in Illinois

Title: Lead Botanist - East Lansing, MI
Exemption Status: Non-exempt
Department: Plant Science and Conservation
Reports to: Manager, Conservation Training Programs
Seasonal Full-time, approximately 38 weeks (March to December 2024)

Position Overview The lead botanist will lead a seed collection crew at US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuges and partner lands, throughout Michigan and western Ohio. The primary responsibility of the Lead Botanist will be to provide oversight and implement all aspects of the Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol for this collection crew. Seeds of Success is a national native seed collection program with a mission to collect wildland native seed for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

Duration: March  – December, 38 weeks.

Responsibilities 

The crew will be based out of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Michigan Ecological Services Field Office in East Lansing, Michigan. The Lead Botanist position will assist in pre-season coordination with refuge managers, Chicago Botanic Garden staff, and partners to help plan the season in March and April. The Lead Botanist will then lead a crew of two field technicians in field efforts in scouting and collecting from May to November, while helping to wrap up the season in late November and early December. During field season, overnight travel, including camping, can be expected, due to the large area covered.

This position will be employed by the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Garden was a founding partner of the SOS initiative in 2002, and has been active in the program since. Over the last 25 years, the primary goal of the Garden Plant Science and Conservation Department has been to improve plant conservation outcomes through: basic and applied scientific research, collegiate education, and supporting practitioners. To this end, the garden has 27 conservation scientists, over 40 students, and over 100 practitioners in 2024. Direct management and support for crews will come from the Garden Conservation Training team. A two-day training in the SOS protocol will be provided virtually by the SOS Headquarters team, and the Garden will provide an in-person onboarding and training on field safety, logistics, and field botany.

The Lead Botanist will be responsible for supervising two Field Technicians, coordinating with USFWS, partner organizations, and CBG staff to plan scouting and collecting trips, and conduct native seed collections as part of the SOS program. This team will likely spend 80% of their time in the field. The anticipated schedule is four, 10-hour days per week to make the most of travel time to the field. Field work will include navigating in remote field settings, collecting voucher specimens for herbaria, mapping plant populations, and collecting seed. Seed collection will continue through late summer as conditions permit. Occasional indoor work throughout the field season includes plant identification, seed cleaning and packing, preparation of herbarium specimens, data entry and management, uploading and manipulating GPS data, and some report writing.

• Coordinate with USFWS and Chicago Botanic Garden staff to identify ecoregional priority species for seed collection, review historic collection sites and identify gaps in geospatial data.
• Coordinate with USFWS and Chicago Botanic Garden staff to plan field operations and solve logistical problems, as well as incorporating safety plans for conducting field work safely.
• Draft and communicate weekly hitch plans to Chicago Botanic Garden and USFWS staff. Use inReach satellite device to check in/check out each field day. Understand and follow field safety procedures.
• Provide oversight, organization, and guidance to safely lead crew of two field technicians in field operations.
• Successfully navigate to prospective sites using road maps, applications, GIS, and 4WD vehicle and hiking.
• Assess and monitor phenology of populations to determine optimal seed collection timing.
• Collect site level data for each seed collection.
• Update and maintain all required population and geospatial data on Survey123 and Field Maps. Sync data at end of each field trip. 
• Properly dry, store, and process seed, including shipping to seed cleaning facilities.
• Ensure QC of digitally collected scouting and collection data, as well as herbarium specimen data.
• Identify potential collection locations of priority species through scouting, analysis of herbarium records, previous SOS collections, and vegetation mapping. 
• Collect 3 herbarium vouchers for each potential collection site. Take appropriate photos as instructed in SOS protocol.
• Ensure collection of all required population scouting data, seed collection data, and photos are properly recorded and shared with Chicago Botanic Garden and USFWS

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in botany, plant science, ecology, biology, or a related field
• Strong plant identification skills with a dichotomous key and knowledge and coursework on plant taxonomy and systematics; strong knowledge of plant biology and ecology.
• Coursework or practical experience using GIS software.
• One season of field experience in natural resources management.
• Experience leading a field team or other supervisory experience.
• Experience collecting and organizing accurate and detailed data records.
• Capable of conducting field work safely in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions
• Experience hiking and camping, and the willingness to do so for this position.
• Experience driving large field vehicles with 4-wheel drive; driving on gravel and dirt roads.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to handle several projects and deadlines at once.
• Self-starter, independent worker, able to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.
• Valid driver’s license on first day of position.
    

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors 

Physical Demands This position is primarily fieldwork based. Field work will include long periods of driving and long periods of walking on rough, uneven ground; bending, crouching, and stooping to collect seeds. Field work often occurs in remote locations, where cellular connection is unavailable or inconsistent. Field conditions can be extreme with hot summer conditions and cold nights in the spring.

To Apply Complete an application online. Your application should include a Chicago Botanic Garden application along with a cover letter, resume, and the names of three (3) professional references. Questions about the position should be directed to Reed Benendorf at rbenkendorf@chicagobotanic.org and Chris Woolridge at cwoolridge@chicagobotanic.org.

In your cover letter, be sure to address your interest in the position and how you meet the qualifications outlined in the position description.

Why Apply? Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.