Botanical Research Aide (Hourly)

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: April 30, 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 h