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Georgia Seed Network Field Technician, State Botanical Garden Based at Jekyll Island, GA

University of Georgia
retirement plan
United States, Georgia, Athens
Dec 18, 2024
Posting Details
Posting Details


Posting Number S12847P
Working Title Georgia Seed Network Field Technician, State Botanical Garden Based at Jekyll Island, GA
Department PSO-State Botanic Garden of GA
About the University of Georgia
Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type External
Retirement Plan TRS
Employment Type Employee
Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information
40 hours a week
Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date 10/30/2024
Open until filled Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date 12/02/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy Outside Athens
EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Position Information


Classification Title Agriculture/Forestry Technical/Paraprofessional/Professional
FLSA Non-Exempt
FTE 1.00
Minimum Qualifications
Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary
The Georgia Native Seed Network ( GNSN) is a new initiative by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and its partners to address the inadequate supply of Georgia ecotype plant materials. The program will focus on producing local ecotype seeds for regions throughout Georgia where there is significant demand from numerous fully funded ongoing habitat conservation and restoration projects. These plant materials will primarily be cached for post-wildfire restoration actions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Still, they will also be used for restoration throughout the state. This involves identifying and collecting seeds, vouchering and assessing the genetics of populations of restoration species, establishing production sites, and managing an inventory of plant material for the state. The Georgia Native Seed Network aims to develop regional standards, protocols, and best practices for seed increase, collection, and storage. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will manage the network.
This position has secured funding for only one year. While the continuation of funding and employment is anticipated, it is not guaranteed.
This position will support the goals of the State Botanical Garden by focusing on horticulture, conservation, and education. The candidate's time will be split between native plant horticulture, native seed collections, restoration plantings, networking, and education. Based on interests, strengths, career goals, and motivation, the JIA Wildlife Biologist will work with the candidate to develop conservation-based independent projects. The primary purpose of this position is to acquire appropriate native seeds and produce local ecotypes of native plants in the interest of restoration projects not only on Jekyll Island but locally and regionally through a partnership between the State Botanical Garden and the JIA. Not only will the candidate support the JIA, but various departments within the JIA will support the candidate in executing their duties.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

  • Acts with Integrity
  • Serves Others
  • Communication
  • Learning
  • Makes Sound Decisions
  • Experience with plant taxonomy, dichotomous keys, herbarium specimens, field and lab plant identification techniques.
  • Basic knowledge of SERNEC, Biotics, NatureServe, SOS, database and resources.
  • Detail oriented. Tracking the population of plant material sources is essential for all collections.
  • Skills in Microsoft systems including Teams, Excel, Word, ArcGIS, Survey123.
  • Experience teaching and coordinating volunteers, students, and colleagues.
  • Good communication skills, the ability to manage projects and timelines to complete task as efficiently as possible.
  • The ability to collect specimens for plant identification, vouchering collections, assuring plant identifications to species and sometimes to variety or subspecies when appropriate.
  • Careful processing of seeds from collection to temporary storage.
  • Careful documentation of seed source populations and key partners per collection is essential.
  • Horticultural skills required.
  • Ability and willingness to travel locally. Valid Georgia driver's license and personal vehicle needed.
  • Ability and willingness to be present on-site during business hours unless JIA or GA State Botanical Garden policies and procedures dictate otherwise.


Physical Demands

  • Walking and Hiking in fields for seed collection
  • Lifting at least 50 pounds
  • Long periods of working in a lab sitting to enter data.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes
Is this a Position of Trust? Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No
Does this position require a P-Card? No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.
Duties/Responsibilities


Duties/Responsibilities
Horticulture responsibilities: 50%

  • Daily - watering, maintenance, and management of horticultural assets in the landscape nursery yard
  • Maintain records and system of organization associated with horticultural activities
  • Planting, cultivation, and propagation of native plants as needed for local or regional restoration purposes
  • Optional - Analyze data and lead a publication related to horticulture practices, seed conservation, phylogeny, pollinators, or habitat ecology in partnership with other JIA conservation team members
  • Other duties as assigned to meet the project objectives

Percentage of time 50


Duties/Responsibilities
Field Botany Responsibilities 50%

  • This position will coordinate and complete seed collections on behalf of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia Seed Network, and multiple partner organizations, as mentioned above, following SOS protocols. Scouting, assessing, and collecting seeds is the first field priority. Field botany skills will be needed to confirm species identification and to follow the plant phenology to determine optimum seed collecting times per species per site. Ground truthing species observations from community science, basic floral inventories of sites, assessing quality of diversity natural versus invasive plant species within a single plant community required.
  • This position will work with the GNS coordinator to obtain all permits and permissions before collecting seed. Considerable time will be required planning for seed collecting season, scouting, ground truthing sites, gathering permissions and permits in writing, planning best use of travels to scout and target seed collecting trips in growing season. Database work, survey forms, careful documentation of SOS protocols, and inventory are all essential.
  • During the dormant season, carefully plan seed collecting strategies, including target species collections, permits, permissions to collect, site locations, logistics, and personnel (volunteers, students, colleagues) needed to complete seed collections. Time will be required to update databases for all seed-collecting sites, species, and locations of those species post-collecting. Collections should be inventoried and entered into a database with the SciCon team. Ensure the SciCon team, GSN manager, and coordinator have all collection and permission data.
  • During the growing season, carefully scout and confirm status of species and plant communities, observe flowering and seed production, time seed collecting for optimum viability, process collections.
  • *Update partners, agencies, sponsors, and SBG colleagues regularly on project updates. Report quarterly to the Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife. Monthly meetings are held with Seeds of Success and Southeastern Grasslands Institute partners.
  • * Teach volunteers and students field identification skills for target plant species.
  • * Share stories from the field (written and presented) for raising awareness, education, support for source identified seed, plant materials increase, field botany, plant conservation, Southeastern Grasslands.
  • Serve as an ambassador for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, and plant conservation/field botany professions.
  • Other duties as assigned to meet the project objectives

Percentage of time 50
Applied = 0

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