Job Description

The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s (ABG) Conservation & Research Department is seeking a Field Technician to assist with field work and data entry related to several projects located throughout the Florida panhandle and lower Alabama. This is a field-based position with the ability to work from home during data entry activities. This position has variable hours (up to 40 hours/week) depending on project needs and plant phenology. The position requires overnight trips of up to 4 nights at a time. Fuel, lodging, and meals are covered during these trips.

This is a temporary position beginning in early May and ending in September or October, upon completion of 987 hours

Key Responsibilities

This position works closely with the Gulf Coast Program Manager on plant conservation efforts in the Florida panhandle and Alabama. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Inventorying and monitoring of rare, threatened, endangered, and culturally significant in-situ plant populations across the Florida panhandle and lower Alabama
• Searching for new populations of rare species
• Assisting with field collection of seed, leaf tissue, cuttings, herbarium vouchers, and other plant materials using methods consistent with department protocols
• Landowner outreach
• Support field-related operations in and out of the field, including preparation for fieldwork, driving ABG or personal vehicles to and from field sites and ensuring that all equipment, data, and samples are organized at the end of fieldwork
• Maintain and prepare data for reporting
• Track work by updating “project diaries” to document daily and weekly work accomplished to meet objectives for multiple grant-funded projects
• Safely and efficiently drive ABG Gulf Projects field vehicles on rough terrain
• Follow established field and safety protocols
• Utilize mobile phones, Survey123, FieldMaps, and Gaia GPS in the field to collect data
• Create simple maps in ArcGIS for field use
• Apply for research and collection permits as needed

Requirements

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, and a good communicator
• Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Botany, Biotechnology, Horticulture, or related field preferred
• Prior experience with seed collection is highly desired
• Prior experience or skills in field data collection, plant identification, use of GPS and mapping tools, and navigation in challenging terrain is highly desired
• Work occasional independent field days and regular overnight trips during peak field season
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions required
• Must have a valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Effectively respond to multiple, changing, and often conflicting priorities

Physical requirements

Ability to spend long periods standing, walking, crouching, bending, and kneeling in the field in various conditions, including the presence of extreme heat and humidity, thick vegetation, biting insects, and venomous snakes.

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

It is the policy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Core Values

• Conservation: We value natural resources and ecosystems, making choices with the long-term sustainability of our planet in mind
• Excellence: We hold ourselves to high standards and expect commitment from each other to contribute to a positive image and reputation for the Garden
• Inspiration: We inspire through the creation of an environment that supports imagination and expression of beauty, providing joy, delight, and a deeper appreciation of plants for everyone
• Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, transparency, accountability, trustworthiness, and ethical behavior, exercising good judgment in our actions and communication
• Respect: We value the diversity of our coworkers, volunteers, and guests, holding each other in the highest regard