Chicago Botanic Garden

General Info

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Research Assistant (Division of Plant Science and Conservation): Rare Plant Monitoring. Cooperative program with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie – FILLED


Do you enjoy finding, monitoring and sampling rare plants (demographic monitoring is part of this picture)? Are you experienced with analysis of field data? Are you committed to conservation and management of rare plant habitats? Would you like to help train volunteers in field work at Midewin?

DESCRIPTION: This 34-week, 40-hour/week position concentrates on a suite of studies on rare plants at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, including those restricted to the unique dolomite prairie habitat. The Midewin program is part of a broader Plants of Concern (POC) regional rare plant monitoring program. Intern will be stationed at the Chicago Botanic Garden with frequent visits to Midewin, near Joliet, Illinois. Field duties involve recruiting, training and working with volunteers to monitor selected species through demographic study, censusing and photopoints. Office duties include data entry and statistical analysis, report writing and GIS applications. A portion of the position is also dedicated to POC monitoring throughout the region. Intern will have the opportunity to create a poster and powerpoint presentation of the work accomplished.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (position begins early to mid-May, 2009)

April/May through September. Assist with general POC training workshops. Develop or modify field forms. Become oriented to Midewin monitoring sites. Engage in field work and held recruit, support and train volunteers. Begin data entry.

October through December. Complete data entry and conduct analysis of multiple years of data. Organize and catalog monitoring and other photos (digital format). Assist with report writing to submit to granting agencies.

January. Meet with POC coordinator and Midewin staff and finalize report.

SALARY: $12.50 per hour and paid holidays; 2 personal days; Occasional weekend work required.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: BS in ecology, botany, biological sciences or related background. Plant ID skills, including use of a dichotomous key. Field experience in plant monitoring or sampling. Computer experience with all Microsoft Office functions, including Access database. Basic statistical and GIS software experience helpful. Organizational and people skills. Ability to work well independently as well as in a team setting. Applicant must have a driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle, although company vehicles are normally available for use. Housing with a host family may be available.

DEPARTMENT: Division of Plant Science and Conservation

REPORTS TO: Manager of Regional Floristics

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: POC volunteer coordinator; POC research assistant; Chicago Botanic Garden staff; Midewin staff

DEADLINE: March 15, 2009. For application, go to www.chicagobotanic.org. Follow the link to General Information and then to the Internship section.
I:Research\ POC/Adminisrative/position advertisement RA Midewin public.