What are the responsibilities and job description for the PLANT MATERIAL TECHNICIAN position at Desert Botanical Garden?
Description
NOTE: Desert Botanical Garden requires all staff to be fully vaccinated by January 1st, 2022. We do have exemptions for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs that would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if we can accommodate.
Position purpose: Assist with Great Milkweed Grow Out projects, including milkweed and pollinator plant propagation, seed collection, and habitat projects.
Essential Duties:
- Grow large numbers of native milkweed and pollinator plants using developed protocols and procedures. Work regularly with volunteers to achieve propagation goals.
- Assist in distribution of plant materials to regional partners and at events, including at Plant Sale and to the Garden Shop
- Help coordinate pollinator habitat projects in local schools and community organizations, and lead outreach planting days.
- Maintain onsite propagation and seed amplification areas, including upkeep of irrigation and pest management systems, and general weed and debris maintenance.
- Participate in seed collection onsite and in the field with other Garden team members. Clean and package seeds and record relevant information.
- Keep records of plant propagation and distribution metrics.
- Assist with development of pollinator plant growing protocols, including assistance with germination and emergence testing.
- Assist with research on milkweeds and insect interactions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred) in plant conservation, horticulture, ecology, biology, or botany.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritize tasks
- Strong communication skills and organization
- Experience growing plants, preferred experience in medium-scale propagation of native desert plants
- Ability to work outdoors and in a greenhouse under adverse (or pleasant) environmental conditions
- Valid driver’s license is required
- Ability to work off-hours with occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Equipment Used
Typical office equipment. This role will also use horticultural tools, lab and field research equipment.
Internal Communication
Regular communication with Garden employees and volunteers.
External Communication
Occasional communication with school coordinators, community members and external partners.
Working Conditions
Physical demands include both those associated with a normal office environment, and outdoor work, which could be in the Garden, or in the field (local, regional, national). Field work will include hiking.
Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds required. Many tasks will be outdoors and subject to extreme weather.
Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.
Pay rate: $20.00 / hour
