RARE PLANT CARE AND CONSERVATION VOLUNTEER AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Req #: 188823
Department: COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT- UW BOTANIC GARDENS
Posting Date: 03/31/2021
Closing Info:
Open Until Filled
Salary: Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Shift: First Shift
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and INCLUSION: At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.
As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote INCLUSION is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make meaningful transformation.
For the full statement of commitment, visit https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/
UW Botanic Gardens has an outstanding opportunity for a part time, 80% FTE Rare Plant Care Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator. This position oversees the rare plant-monitoring program and performs programmatic coordination and research activities for the UW Botanic Gardens' Rare Plant Care & Conservation Program (Rare Care). The Rare Care program includes monitoring rare plant populations, seed collection and storage, propagation of plant material and research as well as educating and encouraging the public to support and become involved in the conservation of our plant heritage. Rare Care is focused on conservation of vascular plants designated as rare in Washington State. This position will be responsible for the implementation of the rare plant monitoring program, a citizen science program involving 200 volunteers carrying out fieldwork to monitor rare plant populations. Activities related to the rare plant monitoring program include serving as primary contact with volunteers and land-manager agency partners; coordinating volunteers activities to ensure program goals and Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan are met; planning and carrying out volunteer trainings and recognition events; updating and revising training materials, procedures, and online resources; and conducting outreach to the public. Job responsibilities also include maintaining the program website, preparing outreach materials such as newsletters and Facebook posts, participating on research projects for plant conservation, conducting seed collections and overseeing volunteers activities in the seed banking program, and assisting with the propagation of plants.
This position supervises a workforce that does not have a traditional line of supervisory authority: recruits, selects, trains, and manages a volunteer workforce of approximately 200 volunteers located around the State of Washington to perform rare plant monitoring and seed collections as University representatives. This position coordinates the rare plant monitoring program activities with over 30 federal, state and local government offices and the Washington Natural Heritage Program, a key program partner. This position will require travel to conduct volunteer trainings and to carry out fieldwork in support of the rare plant monitoring program and other research activities related to rare plant conservation.
This position develops outreach relationships with plant conservation community and community volunteers to promote the preservation of rare and endangered plant species. It has extensive contact with students, staff, government agencies, conservation organizations and the public in carrying out program activities.
Responsibilities:
Oversee the rare plant-monitoring program. Coordinate monitoring assignments for approximately 200 volunteers, including assembling the monitoring priority list, securing the necessary permits, preparing assignments, preparing maps using ArcGIS, processing volunteer reports and entering results into a database, and distributing reports to land managers. Serve as primary contact with volunteers, providing information regarding activities, policies, monitoring and seed assignments, interpreting assignment data, and plant identification questions. Evaluate project procedures and participate in the development of new tools and technology to improve efficiency. Monitor project progress toward achieving goals and take corrective action when needed.
Develop and prepare communications to build and maintain relationships with volunteers, donors, program partners and the general public. Maintain the program's website and update content and design on an on-going basis; prepare blog posts and newsletters to inform Rare Care's community about the program; and maintain Rare Care's social media presence with regular posts and content updates.
Carry out field assignments to collect scientific information on rare plant populations and to collect seeds for the ex-situ collection in the Miller Seed Vault. Includes co-leading an annual monitoring weekend for volunteers, monitoring rare plants for research grants, and carrying out fieldwork to support research activities for recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Assist with germination testing of seeds held in the Miller Seed Vault collection and propagation of plants for reintroductions. Train volunteers on how to clean and package seeds and propagate plants from seed. Check and record weekly germination, pot seedlings, care for plants in the greenhouse, and assist with outplanting plants in the field.
Participate in and coordinate arrangements for program events, including leading volunteer trainings, hosting recognition events and outreach events, and hosting other events as required.
Other related duties as assigned:
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academi-staff-20210208.pdf) Requirements:
A Bachelor Degree in environmental science, botany, biology or other related field and at least one year of experience in identifying plants using technical keys. Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team and make contributions through collaboration. Computer proficiency with a variety of software programs including Microsoft Word and Excel, social media, and email. Applicant must have a valid driver's license to accommodate travel state-wide.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Desired:
Master's of Science in Environmental Sciences, Biology or Botany; experience in recruiting, training and supervising volunteers doing field work; proficiency with databases, ArcGIS, and web management applications. Proven ability to prioritize, problem-solve and work on multiple tasks.
Conditions of Employment:
Must be willing to travel across the state to train and monitor volunteers and to perform occasional field work that requires long hours working on uneven and steep terrain in variable weather. The ability to work occasional weekends.
Must have a strong desire to share an appreciation for and learning of plants and the natural world with the public to promote environmental conservation through education, service and recreation.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by April 21, 2021.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.