Botany Specialist - Seeds of Success NPS Crews

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with The National Park Service, is seeking 8 Botany Specialists to contribute to native seed collection projects in various locations across the US.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Project Locations and Start Dates:

Our 8 Botany Specialists will be assigned to various crews throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming! All of the following locations will adhere to the dates of:

Start Date: July 14th, 2025

Estimated End Date: November 1st, 2025

*a 16 week minimum commitment is required *

Hurricane, UT

Members will serve in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and areas of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kanab and St. George Field Offices.

Hurricane, UT

Members will serve in Capitol Reef National Park and areas of BLM Richfield Field Office.

Flagstaff, AZ

Members will serve in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and areas of BLM Canyon Country Field Office.

Idaho Falls, ID

Members will serve in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Lewistown/Billings, MT

Members will serve in BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife public lands around Lewistown and Billings Montana.

Seedskadee, WY

Members will serve in areas around Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming.

Worland/Buffalo, WY

Members will serve in BLM public lands around Worland and Buffalo Wyoming.

Our final Crew, located in Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, will adhere to the dates of:

Start Date: June 30th, 2025

Estimated End Date: October 18th, 2025

*a 16 week minimum commitment is required *

Idaho Falls, ID

Members will serve in Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding BLM lands.

For more information about all locations, please visit NPS, BLM, and US Fish & Wildlife websites.

Position Overview:

The Project

This exciting project is a partnership between ACE's Crew Division, EPIC Division, and the Seeds of Success (SOS) program with the National Park Service (NPS). The Botany Specialist will serve as the Assistant Team Leader, working alongside one Crew Leader and two Crew Members.

The Position

The crew will assist NPS botanical staff with native seed collection, data collation, and seed curation-critical components supporting habitat restoration efforts throughout the National Park System. Members will receive training in plant species identification and the Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol, widely used by agencies like the BLM, USFWS, and NPS. While initial training and periodic oversight will be provided by NPS staff, members should not expect daily supervision and must be prepared to work independently in the field.

Responsibilities include:

Planning schedules with the Crew Leader
Scouting and implementing seed collection, managing project data
Ensuring the quality and accuracy of both seed and data collection efforts.
Travel to field sites and camp two-seven nights per week during seed collection trips.
Conduct fieldwork both indoors and outdoors under a wide range of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures and steep terrain
Office-based duties, such as project coordination and report writing, are sedentary and require the ability to concentrate for extended periods.

The Role of Botany Specialist

The Botany Specialist will be responsible for maintaining knowledge of target seed species, techniques to maximize seed collection efficiency, Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol, native and invasive plant identification, and proper data collection practices. This individual will arrive on-site two weeks prior to the crew's start date to assist with project preparations and will stay two weeks after the crew's departure to finalize data collection, seed curation, and shipment of collected seeds.

In the field, the Botany Specialist will serve as an Assistant Team Leader. While the Crew Leader holds primary responsibility for crew safety, daily schedules, and coordination with project managers, the botany Specialist will provide critical support by helping plan project activities, ensuring accurate seed identification and collection, and promoting adherence to SOS best practices.

ACE EPIC Note:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Field schedules will be Crew and Location dependent. Most locations will follow a 4/3 schedule: 4 days on for 10 hour days Mon-Thurs, 3 days off Friday-Sunday. Crew leaders will develop the Crew's schedule based on seed collection needs with assistance from the Project Managers and botany Specialist.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Housing accommodations will vary across the different locations. Applicants can expect to be housed in a shared space with a kitchen and all appliances, a common room, and shared bedroom spaces, ranging from 2-3 per room. In addition to housing, members will be supplied with food during service days. Members will be given group camp gear, including tents, and other outdoor gear (day packs, sleeping bags, etc.) may be available to loan during the duration of their term.

Personal Vehicle not required but strongly encouraged.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will receive a $350 stipend for eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, backpack, hiking boots, and camping gear and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. ACE will provide some gear for members, including group camping equipment.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training will include Seeds of Success seed collection protocol.

Qualifications

Required:

Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
Experience performing plant identification and using various dichotomous keys to identify plants to species level.
A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree (preferably in a biology or natural resources subject) and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany/plant science and/or ecology.
Experience performing seed collection (preferably using SOS protocol) and collecting data via Survey123 and Field Maps.
Ability and willingness to perform seed collection which can sometimes be repetitive and meticulous work; follow seed collection and data collection protocols; spend at least 9 days in a row camping; and work as a member of a team.
Comfortable leading group efforts in data collection, seed collection, and seed curation.
Deep interest in botany and restoration.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
Environmental: Outdoor conditions-work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: A vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties and will be provided by ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the site will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Western NPS Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.

**Please note that this project is contingent on funding, which is still pending. We will keep applicants informed as we receive further details.**

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.