Rare Plant Conservation Scientist

A Day in the Life:

As the Rare Plant Conservation Specialist, you’ll act as a leading member of the Rare Plant Conservation Team by designing projects and raising funding to support the Garden’s Rare Plant Conservation work. Your duties will range from implementing existing projects in the field, lab and nursery to analyzing data, writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed journal articles. You’ll also have the opportunity to envision and seek funding for new projects that complement the Rare Plant Conservation program. Your work will focus on understanding, protecting and restoring California’s Rare Plants via field surveys, conservation seed banking, applied research, and collaboration within and outside of the Garden, as well as education and outreach related to your work. We are especially interested in candidates with a combined love of field work and robust statistical/analytical training to help us tackle the multifaceted questions that we must address to conserve Rare Plants and prevent extinction. This full-time (40 hours per week), exempt position reports to the Senior Rare Plant Conservation Scientist (previously called the Rare Plant Biologist) and works primarily with the Rare Plant Conservation Team. This position is being offered at the principal investigator (PI) level and requires a PhD in botany, plant ecology, conservation or a related field. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and relevant qualifications, and a writing sample (e.g., a peer reviewed publication, report or other product) with your application.

What You’ll Do:

Research Duties

• Work with the Senior Rare Plant Conservation Scientist to maintain and expand a vigorous applied conservation program focused on California’s Rare Plants
• Design and implement research based in the field, lab and/or greenhouse that focuses on Rare Plant Conservation, plant ecology, reproductive biology, demography, niche and/or climate modeling, and other relevant topics based on the skills and interest of the selected candidate
• Analyze and interpret data using appropriate one-way and multivariate statistical analyses, such as ANOVA, multiple logistical regression, principal components analysis, etc.
• Foster collaboration within and outside of the Garden

Fieldwork Duties

• Participate in field work, including Rare Plant surveys, reading research and monitoring plots, native seed collection, seeding and outplanting, etc. on single and multi-day field trips
• Collect data using Field Maps for ArcGIS
• Collect and curate seeds according to national and international best practices for Rare Plant Conservation
• Collect and curate herbarium specimens

Office Duties

• Successfully pursue funding to support Rare Plant Conservation and research, including developing and managing associated project budgets
• Ensure completion of data analysis, evaluation of projects and dissemination of results in the form of formal reports and peer-reviewed publications
• Manage projects to timely completion on budget
• Supervise and mentor at least one technician on the Rare Plant Conservation Team

Education and Outreach

• Share your passion for conservation with the public via lectures, workshops and outreach events
• Participate in Garden tours as needed
• Present oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings
• Occasionally offer field-based opportunities to the public

You Must Be Able To:

• Quickly learn the California flora, if not already familiar, and use dichotomous keys and other resources to identify unfamiliar taxa
• Fundraise via grants and contracts
• Design and implement original research and recovery projects, including preparing and managing project budgets
• Analyze data using modern statistical and modeling techniques
• Manage projects to timely completion on budget
• Supervise and mentor at least one Rare Plant Conservation technician
• Use a computer proficiently, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and learn new computer programs as necessary
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Communicate well both verbally and in writing
• Work autonomously with a high degree of accountability and also cooperatively with colleagues at the Garden and other institutions, as needed
• Contribute to a positive work environment that fosters learning and team-building
• Occasionally perform strenuous physical work including:
  • Working outdoors in a nursery setting and/or in the field in variable weather conditions
  • Sitting for up to 2 hours at a time and using a computer or microscope for lengthy periods
  • Standing/walking for extended periods of time
  • Occasionally working long field days, sometimes in excess of 8-10 hours, including bending, squatting, walking stairs, and hiking rugged trails with uneven footing
  • Safely lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs.

You Will Definitely Need:

• A PhD from an accredited university in the field of botany, plant ecology, conservation or a related field
• Experience designing and executing scientific research projects
• A demonstrated track record of fundraising to support scientific research
• Strong analytical skills, such as proficiency using R and conducting multivariate analyses and/or experience in using models related to demography, climate change, habitat suitability, etc.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• A supportive and approachable disposition conducive to acting as a supervisor and mentor
• Reliable transportation to/from the Garden
• Valid US driver’s license
• Support for the Garden’s mission and goals

It Would Be Nice If You Had:

• Lead or co-authorship on at least one peer-reviewed publication
• Experience using ArcGIS to create maps and analyze data
• Experience with the California flora or plants of the US intermountain western

More About Us:

The Garden is a beautiful place to work and your work will make a direct impact on Rare Plant Conservation in California! This position is designed to enhance and expand the Garden’s existing Rare Plant Conservation program, based on the interest and expertise of the selected candidate. In this role, you are often outdoors. In addition to beautiful views, birds, and fantastic flora, outdoor work environments also include exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations, rain, dust, allergens, poison oak, insects, small wild animals, and sun exposure. Willingness and ability to camp in remote areas is essential (and hopefully also a perk).

Disclaimer:

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Expected Timeline:

An ideal candidate for this position will be available to begin work between November 2023-January 2024.