Native Seeds/SEARCH is seeking a passionate and multi-talented individual to become our next Collections Manager.
Native Seeds/SEARCH was founded in 1983 to help safeguard the rich agricultural heritage of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Over at least four millenia of continuous cultivation, the native peoples of the region developed a breathtaking diversity of crops with unique adaptations to the challenging environments of the Southwest. These desert-adapted crops are the foundation of sustainable responses to critical issues such as climate change, degredation of farmlands, cultural erosion, and challenges to human and economic health in this region and beyond.
The Native Seeds/SEARCH seed bank, housed at our beautiful new Conservation Center in Tucson, Arizona, is at the core of our efforts to protect and promote agricultural and cultural diversity in the region. The collection consists of over 16,000 distinct seed samples from nearly 2,000 unique accessions. It contains over 100 plant species and represents the agricultural and ethnobotanical legacy of over 50 indigenous groups.
The Collections Manager will work closely with the Seed Bank Director to ensure the proper care, accessibility, documentation, and research of the collection. They will help to implement major seed bank improvements, oversee the physical care of the seed collection, coordinate seed distribution efforts, assist with conservation-related activities at our 60-acre Conservation Farm in Patagonia, Arizona, and facilitate the design and implementation of research and evaluation activities. They will assist with the completion of the NS/S Digital Photo Library and will be involved in the development of innovative new database and web tools to improve the management of the collection and its accessibility to the public.
Specific responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
Care of the Seed Collection
- Monitor the viability of seeds in the collection.
- Maintain a current and accurate inventory of seeds in the collection.
- Maintain the physical organization of the collection to ensure constant accessibility and security.
- Monitor environmental conditions in the seed bank.
- Assist with current and future infrastructural improvements.
- Assist in the implementation of a long-term seed bank management plan.
- Process newly acquired material and incorporate it into the seed collection.
Seed Distribution
- Perform annual germination testing of distribution stock to verify seed viability.
- Coordinate weekly seed packing activities for distribution through our various channels.
- Maintain a current list of available seed varieties on our website and assist with the development of the annual seedlisting catalog.
Data Management
- Ensure proper documentation of seed bank activities and the appropriate entry of data in the collection database.
- Assist with the development of the collection database to improve data integration and accessibility.
- Develop detailed and timely reports on activities.
Conservation Growouts and Research
- Assist with regeneration growouts and other farm activities in Tucson and Patagonia. Tasks will include characterization and evaluation of crop varieties, hand pollinations, harvesting, and processing of seeds.
- Assist in the development and implementation of research activities.
Photography and Documentation
- Complete the transition of the NS/S collection of photographic prints to a digital format.
- Organize and annotate the NS/S digital photo collection.
- Oversee the photodocumentation of the seed collection.
Communications and Outreach
- Participate in public outreach through the NS/S blog, discussion forum, Facebook page, newsletter, educational seminars, and other venues.
- Supervise volunteers and interns as appropriate.
Ideal Qualifications
- Minimum B.S. in plant sciences, agriculture, biology or related field. M.S. strongly preferred.
- Experience working with biological collections.
- Strong computer skills, including familiarity with relational databases such as MySQL, SQL Server, Access, or Filemaker. Programming, database or web development experience is a major plus.
- Familiarly with digital photography, including post-processing in Photoshop.
- Desire and ability to take on a diversity of challenging and rewarding projects simultaneously.
- Obsession with detail and a drive to do exceptional work.
- Ability to communicate and write effectively.
- Ability to work well independently and in a group.
- Ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
- Ability to work outside in intense heat (at the farm) and inside in intense cold (in the seed vault).
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
This is a full-time, paid permanent position with benefits. To apply, please email a cover letter, current resume and three references to Chris Schmidt, NS/S Seed Bank Director, at cschmidt@nativeseeds.org. You will be notified by email of receipt of your application and of the status of your application as the review process proceeds.
Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. EST on November 2, 2011.