| Description |
| ABOUT US | | | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. | | | POSITION SUMMARY | | | The summer botany field crew member is part of a six person team responsible for conducting detailed vegetation sampling at The Nature Conservancy’s 5,600 acre Chilton Creek Preserve, located along the Current River near Van Buren in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks. Team members are responsible for locating permanent sampling plots in a remote and rugged landscape, and conducting vegetation sampling including the determination to species of all vegetation occurring within sample plots, accurate recording and archiving of field data, field coordination with other team members, and ensuring accuracy and consistency of field identifications among all sampling personnel.
Team members will typically work four days per week, 10 hours per day, and be navigating and sampling in remote, rugged locations under all extremes of Missouri summer weather. Team members will be required to live in a nearby state-owned housing facility and abide by the residential code of conduct established by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
Each team member must also be familiar with operation of four wheel drive vehicles on primitive road systems, and successfully complete Missouri Department of Conservation driver training during their orientation period.
Successful applicants will have knowledge of basic ecology, botany, basic plant identification and a passion for learning comprehensive field botany skills; experience with taxonomy and Midwestern ecosystems is helpful. The initial two weeks of the position will include an intensive field training program in Ozark flora and plant identification, and there will be ongoing opportunities for vegetation-related enrichment training and orientation throughout the summer.
This is a seasonal position starting on May 18th and ending late August 2009. | | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | | The summer botany field crew member provides administrative, research, project management and other general assistance to program or preserve staff. | | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | | • Two years of college course work in natural resources, ecology, botany or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with field plant identification and ecological field work, including field sampling methods.
• Experience performing data collection and management duties emphasizing detail-oriented and numerical tasks.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software. | | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | | ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic ecology and botany; familiarity with deciduous woodland systems and/or Midwestern vegetation desirable.
• Ability to learn and retain identification traits for Ozark vascular flora, and to accurately apply this in field sampling conditions.
• Meticulous field data collection and data management skills.
• Experience with work and navigation in remote rugged terrain, including ability to navigate and locate plots using both map and compass and GPS.
• Ability to live and work interactively with small team of diverse people in rugged remote conditions.
• Performing administrative duties emphasizing detail-oriented and numerical tasks.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Resolves routine issues independently.
• Develops resolution plans with supervisor for unusual or complex issues.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Works under close supervision and receives specific and detailed instructions for required tasks and results expected.
• Addresses issues with supervisor that affect others’ work or the overall program.
• Consults supervisor on unspecified or unusual issues.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
• Maintains project records.
• May perform financial and administrative tasks related field activities.
• May supervise occasional interns and/or volunteers on a project basis.
• Purchase equipment and supplies with supervisor as provided for in budget.
• May assist with program budget monitoring.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Ability to work cooperatively with a number of staff and external parties, sometimes under pressure, in order to complete project work and goals in a timely manner.
• Formulate ideas and communicate clearly with others, both orally and in written form.
• Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
• Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, preserve staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The summer botany field crew member may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:
• require minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present occasional possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings | | | BENEFITS | | | The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond. | | | SALARY INFORMATION | | | $11.00 per hour, 40 hours/week (typically four ten-hour days per week) | | | HOW TO APPLY | | | Apply online at www.nature.org/careers
Please submit resume and cover letter as one document in MSWord or PDF format.
All sections of online application must be completed (e.g. work experience and education, even if information is included in resume) to be considered for a position.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 7, 2009 | | | EOE STATEMENT | | | The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
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