Title: Lead Field Technician
Exemption Status: Exempt
Department: Plant Science and Conservation
Reports to: Joanne Craw ford
Regular or Seasonal: Seasonal
Full-time or Part-time: Full-time

Position Overview:

The Chicago Botanic Garden seeks to fill 4 seasonal (5-month) Team Lead positions to supervise field teams and conduct native seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Team Lead position offers the opportunity to work closely with BLM staff, plan and implement a field project, and train and lead a field team.

The SOS Team Lead Technician will support SOS native seed collection operations and lead a 2-person collection team. Each team (1 lead, 2 team members) will be based out of one of four duty locations in Idaho (Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, or Coeur d’Alene). Teams will spend approximately 90% of their time in the field scouting, planning, and conducting seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success Program.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Coordinate with BLM botanical staff to identify ecoregional priority species for seed collection, review historic collection sites and identify gaps in geospatial data
• Coordinate with BLM and CBG staff to plan field operations and solve logistic problems
• Identify potential SOS collection locations and scout for new potential collection sites; work with BLM to develop a SOS collection plan
• Manage seed collection crews, carryout seed collections, and package and ship seeds to seed back partners, keeping detailed records of all collections and shipments
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of seed collections and data provided by the collection crew. Lead team to make ≥ 30 SOS native seed collections using the BLM SOS protocol www.blm.gov/SOS (training provided through the CLM Workshop)
• Timely, accurate reporting of time and effort activities, adherence to all Chicago Botanic Garden policies and procedures for employees and communication with the Chicago Botanic Garden’s manager of Conservation Science Training Programs

Key Garden competencies/behaviors desired

• Communicates in a manner that gains the trust and support of others at all levels.
• Works effectively with others despite differences of opinion and style; builds alliances.
• Strives for collaboration. Works cooperatively, as a positive contributor to the team.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and shows kindness in all workplace interactions.
• Makes decisions appropriate for level of responsibility.
• Follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment and consistently demonstrates safe work behaviors.
• Can effectively adapt to change; can shift gears comfortably; is flexible, and embraces change with a “can-do” attitude.
• Is self-aware; knows personal strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback and is open to negative feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
• Is cool under pressure; can be counted on to hold things together during tough times; can handle stress; is not knocked off balance by the unexpected; is a settling influence during a crisis.
• Has a tolerance for opposing points of view .
• Recognizes problems, constructively identifies and articulates solutions.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• B.S. in Botany, Plant Science, Ecology, Environmental Science or a related field
• Strong plant identification skills (to species) and knowledge of plant taxonomy; strong knowledge of plant biology. Familiarity with plants and ecosystems of the western U.S.
• Experience scouting, planning, and conducting seed collections (through SOS programs or other seed handling/collecting work)
• Experience leading a field team or other supervisory experience
• Experience maintaining accurate and detailed data records (in field and in electronic databases – Excel/Access)
• Experience working with agency, academic, private, or non-profit partners to coordinate, plan, and execute fieldwork on public or private lands
• Capable of conducting daily field work in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions (heat, rain, biting insects), and motivating a field crew through those tough conditions
• Experience hiking and backcountry 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; off-road driving
• Proficiency in ArcGIS to display maps, visualize georeferenced data, and interface with GPS units
• Wilderness First Aid or other field safety training

Physical Demands:

Data collection often occurs in remote locations, where cellular connection is unavailable or inconsistent. Field conditions can be extreme: hot summer conditions with potential for heavy rainfall, flash floods, and lightning strikes; high altitude sun exposure; and occasional wildlife encounters (rattlesnakes, bears, and scorpions). Seed collection and vegetation monitoring activities can be physically demanding due to stooping and bending for long periods of time. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and hike up to 6 miles per day is expected. Fieldwork will require overnight travel and will involve overnight camping in remote areas. Safety is a pre-requisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g. Natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season, and will guide how fieldwork is conducted.

To Apply:

Interested individuals should contact Dr. Joanne Crawford, Manager of Conservation Land Management Training Programs at JCrawford@chicagobotanicgarden.org for more information about applying. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until all positions have been filled.

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, and 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.