At The Garden — Internships

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Research Assistant for Rare Plant Monitoring - Midewin
(Department of Plant Science and Conservation. Cooperative program with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - 2012)

DESCRIPTION: This 7.5-month, 35-hour/week position involves 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, and nearby sites. Field duties involve recruiting, training and working with volunteers to monitor selected species through demographic study, censusing, sampling 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 and/or a poster of the work accomplished. This position is pending grant funds.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (position begins early May, 2012) May through September. Attend and 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. In July and August, conduct community vegetation transects in Midewin restoration areas. Begin data entry. October through early December. Complete data entry and conduct analysis of multiple years of data. Organize and catalog monitoring and other photos (digital format). Work with supervisor on annual report to submit to granting agency.

SALARY: $13.00/hour and paid holidays; 2 personal days.

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 Microsoft Office functions, including Access database. Basic statistical and GIS software experience sought. Organizational and people skills. Ability to work well independently as well as on a team. 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. Occasional weekend work.

DEPARTMENT: Division of Plant Science and Conservation.

REPORTS TO: Manager of Regional Floristics.

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: POC research assistant; Plant Science and other Chicago Botanic Garden staff; Midewin staff; volunteers.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2012.