Conservation Botanist
Employment Type
Job (Full-Time)Job Categories
Research & Science
Job Description
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring a Conservation Botanist!
Are you a botanist who is passionate about conserving native plant biodiversity, excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility goals?
This is a Year-round, Full-time, benefits eligible position. Year-round employees receive personal and sick paid time off, health and retirement benefits, discounts in our culinary programs and Gardenshop, and a Gardens membership.
$25.00 – 28.00 hourly, non-exempt
The Conservation Botanist is responsible for contributing to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ integrated plant conservation activities, including in and ex situ conservation, research, and herbarium management projects. The Conservation Botanist will work closely with the Plant Conservation Program Manager and Curator of Living Collections to add collections to the Gardens’ conservation seed bank, living collections, and herbarium; advance conservation research studies and programs, conduct fieldwork to track and assess the biodiversity and vulnerability of plants in Maine’s three Level III ecoregions. During the field season, the Conservation Botanist may be assisted by an assistant or intern. Frequent travel throughout Maine and occasionally New England is required.
This position will spend approximately 40% of time in the field, 30% of time on ex situ collections management, 15% of time on permitting and reporting, and 15% of time on herbarium accessions and identifications.
Physical Requirements:
Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:
20% of time bending/stooping
10% of time squatting
10% of time reaching above shoulder level
10% of time kneeling
40% of time walking or standing
30% of time hand/fingers used for repetitive motion
30% of time working at a computer screen
30% of time hands/fingers used for fine manipulation
10% of time hands/fingers used for firm grasping
10% of time head/neck in rotational movements
30% of time head/neck in static position
Employee is required to lift and carry 25 lbs. Usual distance carried is up one flight of stairs or out to an outdoor venue.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled
Interview process:
Interview 1: (call/virtual/in-person) with VP of Plants and Science (etc. as needed)
About Us
At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine and those suited to northern coastal conditions, nearly a mile of saltwater frontage, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. A true Maine experience, the Gardens is committed to connecting people to plants and nature, preserving the biodiversity of the Maine coast, and continuing to be a place accessible and welcoming to all. The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where every member of our community is valued, respected, and appreciated. We acknowledge that a society is stronger, more resilient, and more beautiful when it is diverse. We are committed to identifying and striving to eliminate barriers that, historically, have prevented the full participation of communities most impacted by inequity.
Duties & Responsibilities
-Identify plants in the field and in the herbarium;
-Search for target plant taxa and collect seed for ex situ conservation programs;
-Search for target uncommon plant taxa, assess abundance and threats, and collect voucher specimens to document plant biodiversity in the Gardens’ herbarium;
-Augment rare plant populations
-Research land ownership and gain permission to access sites and make conservation collections in Maine and its local ecoregions
Education and Experience
-Degree or training in the plant sciences, biology, or ecology.
-Knowledge of plant taxonomy and botanical nomenclature.
-Experience identifying plants.
-Experience conducting field research and tracking rare plants.
-Experience collecting and processing seed for conservation seed banking.
-Experience collecting and mapping data using coordinate systems and global positioning systems.
-Experience with Microsoft Office and Teams.
-Experience with BGBASE, IrisBG, BRAHMS or other plant databases desired but not necessary.
-Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles into the Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.
