Seed Conservation Assistant
Employment Type
Job (Full-time)Job Categories
Horticulture
Job Description
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring a Seed Conservation Assistant!
Are you passionate about plants and conservation research, excited about inspiring meaningful connections between people and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility goals?
Seasonal (June – October)
Full-time hours (40 hours per week)
$18.75 hourly, non-exempt
Applications will be reviewed by March 31 (submission deadline)
The interview process will include a virtual Interview with the Director of Plant Science and Collection and Curator of Living Collections.
The Seed Conservation Assistant, along with the Plant Conservation Coordinator, is responsible for collecting, cleaning, recording, and storing seed for ex situ conservation in the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens seed bank. The Assistant will primarily work on the conservation of seed from taxa found in habitats vulnerable to climate change throughout Maine and may also assist with other tasks relating to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens seed banking program.
This is a seasonal position at 40 hours/week, typically Monday-Friday from June – October. Start and end times will vary day to day. Flexible start and end dates. The candidate will often work in the field and must have reliable transportation to and from field sites. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offers mileage reimbursement.
Physical Requirements:
Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:
-70% of time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements.
-30% of time in sitting position.
The maximum load employees will be required to lift/carry is 35 – 50 lbs. per Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Employee Manual.
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
-With guidance from the Plant Conservation Coordinator, the Seed Conservation Assistant will:
-Identify plants in the field;
-Search for target taxa and collect seed for ex situ conservation programs;
-Keep detailed notes and records of all seed collections including GPS points and habitat data;
-Collect and prepare herbarium voucher specimens to accompany seed collections;
-Prepare seed for storage by cleaning, drying and labeling seed;
-Record seed collection and seed storage information in the IrisBG database
-Support volunteers working on seed cleaning
Education and Experience
-Coursework or training in plant science, botany, plant ecology, or a related field.
-Knowledge of plant taxonomy and nomenclature.
-Experience working independently outdoors and in the field including in remote locations.
-Experience identifying plants, collecting seeds, and collecting herbarium specimens
-Experience collecting and mapping spatial data using GPS and GIS.
-Experience using plant collection databases such as IrisBG or BRAHAMS preferred but not required.
-Commitment to working across the organization to support the integration of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) principles into the Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.
Application Instructions
Application Deadline:March 31, 2025
