Title: Botanical Research Aide (Hourly Resource Science Aide)
Requisition Id: 3753
Hourly Pay Rate: $16.06
Hourly Pay Grade: H4
Expected Work Schedule: Starting May 19th, 2025 – August 22nd, 2025 (start and end dates can be flexible for applicants)
Job Location: Clinton Office (CLINT1)
Closing Date: February 28, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, Thomas R Thompson , at Tom.Thompson@mdc.mo.gov or call 660 8858179x240 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.
Summary/Objective
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is recruiting 3 Botanical Research Assistants to assist in vegetation data collection in the tallgrass prairies of West-Central and Southwest Missouri. Assistants will work along the botany crew leader and Grassland Ecologist to identify prairie plant species and record vegetation data for a long-term study investigating the effects of patch burn grazing with cattle (PBGC) on remnant prairie plant communities. This position offers an opportunity to further develop botanical identification skills, gain a better understanding of prairie ecosystems, and interact with professionals in the natural resources field.
Essential Job Duties
- Assess species occupancy by documenting presence/absence, growth and development, and percent cover of 48 plant species of interest during 3 visits to 5 remnant prairies (both grazed and ungrazed units).
- Maintain adherence to protocols with limited supervision.
- Develop skills and become proficient in identification of 200+ prairie plants to species that are look-alikes to the 48 plant species of interest.
- As time allows, assist botany crew leader and Grassland Ecologist in collection of plant community diversity data on remnant prairie.
- As time allows, assist with other duties include collecting and mounting plant specimens and assisting in herbarium maintenance.
- Will use GPS and GIS technology to map sites, and will assist with data entry and database management.
- Maintain the accuracy of and availability to information in various databases.
- Provide limited scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
- Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
- Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
- This position is field work focused, although there will be opportunities that arelab focused (e.g., working with herbarium samples, identification of collected/vouchered specimens).
Ancillary Job Duties
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Must be working towards or have completed a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, or related field (e.g., Wildlife, Fisheries, Forestry, or Biological Sciences).
- It is preferred that the assistant has completed a plant taxonomy, field botany, or similar course.
- A valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate All-terrain (ATV) and/or Utility terrain vehicle (UTV).
- Be able to work with minimal supervision and be self-directed.
- Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and possess a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to establish an effective working relationship with crew members, other field crews, and Department employees.
- Required to work long hours outdoors with work beginning at 6:30 am, and expected to endure harsh summer field conditions (heat, humidity, ticks, chiggers, spiders, briars, and uneven terrain).
- Be able to hike 1 to 4 miles a day on uneven terrain, cheerfully endure heat and high humidity, and orient plots with the use of a compass.
- Experience with vegetative sampling and field research is highly desired.
- Interest in learning about tallgrass prairie plant communities.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
- Travel within Missouri and stay overnight frequently.
- Majority of the work is performed outdoors where hot, cold, wet, and/or humid conditions exist.
Physical Abilities
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
- Ability to move about on uneven ground and rough terrain.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Kansas City