At The Garden — Internships

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Chicago Botanic Garden: Research Assistant in Rare Plant Monitoring — Midewin

(Division of Plant Science and Conservation Cooperative program with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie)

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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 monitoring field work at Midewin?

DESCRIPTION: This 6 to 8 month (length dependent on funding) 35-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. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to create presentations of the work accomplished.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
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 help recruit, train and support 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.

SALARY: $13.00 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 a company vehicle is 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 research assistant; Plant Science & Conservation and other Chicago Botanic Garden staff; Midewin staff

REPORTS TO: Manager of Regional Floristics

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15, 2010. (Position begins early to mid-May, 2010.)

Listing updated 11.30.09