Conservation Associate 1

Description

Classification: Non-exempt

Organization Description:

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class paradise, featuring the flora and cultures of the tropics and sub-tropics including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Florida. The Garden’s mission is to connect people and plants through display, education, conservation, and applied science. The Garden has beautifully restored native habitats, cultivated gardens, walking trails, and public programming that offer education and enjoyment for people of all ages. Naples Botanical Garden is a 501(c)3 organization. 

Position Summary: This position will be responsible for supporting efforts to safeguard and propagate rare and endangered plant species and will collaborate on all aspects of the Garden’s seed conservation efforts. The successful candidate will assume a supportive role in the Conservation and Natural Resources Department to further the Garden’s mission to connect people and plants through efforts to conserve imperiled plant species and ecosystems. This position requires a broad interdisciplinary science background.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist a team of Conservation Associates in the field, including seed collection, habitat management, monitoring, and out planting.
• Assist in processing, documenting, seed banking, and propagating plants entering the collection.
• Support research in the development of propagation and seed storage protocols. 
• Collaborate with Garden team members and peer institutions in publishing propagation and long-term seed storage protocols.
• Collaborate across departments to support the management of Garden Conservation Collections. 
• Utilize data tracking apps, including Survey123 and ArcGIS (ESRI) for plant records.
• Assume a collaborative role in development of the Garden’s plant conservation efforts focusing on the native flora of south Florida and the Caribbean.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Strong interest in plant conservation, restoration, and natural resource management.
• Interest to learn a variety of south Florida native plants and habitats.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team as well as work independently to see projects through to completion.
• Aptitude for science.
• Excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
• Possess great oral and written communication skills.
• Stand and work outdoors for long periods of time. Walk and inspect property in difficult terrain. Work in extreme temperatures. Lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors.
• Pre-Employment background check required.

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Long -Short Term Disability
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Garden Perks

Naples Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Garden has a long-standing policy of employment and advancement based solely upon qualifications to perform the essential elements of a position without regard to age, creed, gender, national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, HIV status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, handicap or mental or physical disability.