GA Seed Network Field Technician

Posting Number: S13115P

Working Title: GA Seed Network Field technician, State Botanical Garden Based at SBG Athens (1

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 . 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 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: 40 hours a week

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 01/15/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 02/17/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants: 1 of 2 GA Seed Network Field Technician positions based at the Botanical Garden.
Both positions are the same but have two different postings on UGAJobs.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( ).

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 .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at .

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.

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 is a grant funded position with secured funding for two years. While the continuation of funding and employment is anticipated, it is not guaranteed.

This position will serve as technical expert in plant identification and plant community classification. Coordinate seed collecting efforts in Georgia and neighboring states for source-identified plant materials increase and seed banking. Utilize iNaturalist, partner recommendations, plant community data, field experience to find and identify target plant species in natural areas. Ground truth observations in situ, assess species identification and status of populations (determine and document if occurrence is sizeable for seed collecting). Coordinate permits, permissions, species priority needs among partners (including Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Southeastern Grasslands Institute, Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance members), site scouting, habitat quality evaluation. Coordinate seed collecting assessments, seed collecting, initial processing for short term storage, paper work, data entry, labeling, databasing, vouchers, shipping to Bend Oregon or to other seed storage partners.

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 of plant material source population essential for all collections.
•  Skills in Microsoft systems including teams, excel, and 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 sub species when appropriate.
•  Careful processing of seeds from collection to temporary storage.
•  Careful documentation of seed source populations and of key partners per collection essential.
Physical Demands:
•  Walking and hiking long distances to collect seeds
•  Lift up to 50 pounds
•  Potentially sit in a lab desk behind a computer
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: Field Botany Responsibilities 50%

•  This position will be responsible for coordinating and completing 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 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.
•  Other duties as assigned to meet the project objectives
Percentage of time: 50

Duties/Responsibilities: Field technical responsibilities: 50%

•  This position will be responsible for assuring that all permits and permissions are obtained prior to any seed collecting . click apply for full job details