Plant Recorder

Job Description

This is a permanent, part-time position, averaging 15 hours per week. The compensation rate is $20 per hour, non-exempt, and does not meet eligibility criteria for benefits. The position provides direct support to other HLS Dept. team members, and reports to the Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship.

Summary
The Plant Recorder assumes leadership in the maintenance of both existing and new plant collections’ records. Additional responsibilities include auditing the collections for taxonomic and nomenclatural accuracy, managing identification and accession signage, GPS-mapping and labeling, among other tasks.

About Us

Tyler Arboretum is a 650-acre arboretum located in the heart of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Tyler Arboretum’s mission is to conserve our historic landscapes and connect people to the natural world.

The Arboretum is unusually wealthy in natural areas, with extensive forests, meadows, the only two state-classified unimpaired streams in Delaware County, 17 miles of hiking trails, and the Pink Hill Serpentine Barrens, a globally rare ecosystem with populations of over 20 endangered, threatened, and near threatened species.

Tyler Arboretum is a vital resource for the region, providing nature-based programming and educating members and other visitors about the natural world. Tyler is host to over 60,000 visits annually, including students from the local school districts, universities that use Tyler as a research destination, and many residents from throughout metropolitan Philadelphia who use Tyler as a sanctuary and recreational landscape.

Duties & Responsibilities

Records Database Management (50%):
All woody plants within the agreed-upon boundaries are accessioned and tracked in the Plant Records database. Using the predetermined numbering convention, each plant individually corresponds to an entry in the database which stores information about provenance, condition, history of maintenance, etc. A routine inventory of the complete living collections is performed every three years to assess label maintenance, ID verification, and condition.

Accessioning and Deaccessioning Plants (10%):
Acquisitions that are purchased or donated are accessioned before being planted. The name accompanying the acquisition is carefully checked for spelling and nomenclatural accuracy based on reputable sources. This and any other information present with the acquisition is recorded in the database. Any new taxa added to the collection must be classified in the database prior to entry. When plants die or must be removed (not transplanted), they are inactivated with the date and the reason, if known.

Interpretive Signage, Label making, Nametags (10%):

Accession labels are created when acquisitions arrive at prior to planting. Occasionally accession labels are lost or damaged (or in rare cases a taxon has undergone a change) and the label must be remade. Interpretive signage and nametags are created as needed with onsite engraver.

Locating Objects in the Field (15%): When new acquisitions (or transplants) are planted, their location is recorded by GPS and updated in the database. This information is compiled and imported into ArcGIS for mapping. Other objects on the property including fences, utilities, buildings, benches, paths, etc. are also recorded and occasionally audited for accuracy.

Other Duties (15%):
Surveying and collecting information on interesting attributes of plants (ex: Rhododendron cultivar bloom color/time, or other unique characteristics) in order to enrich database. Various miscellaneous special assignments from the Director of Horticulture and Land Stewardship. Volunteer scheduling and work.

Education and Experience

Education Required
Minimum of a BS or equivalent training in botany, horticulture, or a related field.

Experience Required
2-3 years professional experience.

Certifications Required
Valid State issued motor vehicle operator’s license and insurability.

Computer and Technology Skills
• Must be experienced with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Access.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro, GPS hardware and software (preferably: Trimble GPS, ESRI Field Maps), and Apple iPad.
• Preferred experience with Gravograph Engraver.

Additional Information

Must be willing and able to work in inclement weather conditions, especially heat and humidity.
Frequent and prolonged walking and/or hiking in all terrain.
Requires frequent and prolonged standing, walking, bending, kneeling, pulling, and twisting. Occasional prolonged sitting at computer.
Ability to be active throughout a full day of work, including the ability to stand for prolonged period, and the ability to walk at least 5 miles on and off trail.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and regularly carry equipment while in the field.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Dr. Will Ryan at wryan@tylerarboretum.org

Include ‘Last Name, Plant Recorder’ as the subject line. No phone calls please.