Botanical Research Aide (Hourly)

The Missouri Department of Conservation is recruiting 2 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 on remnant prairie plant communities.

Requirements

• Two years of undergraduate education in one of the sciences (e.g., Wildlife, Fisheries, Forestry, or Biological Sciences)
• Must maintain a valid, current driver's license
• Experience or course work involving plant identification to species
• Capable of working cooperatively with others, as well as working independently with little daily supervision
• Experience with some word processing (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint) and database software (Excel or Access)
• Must be hard-working and enthusiastic
• Can communicate well with other co-workers, crews, local wildlife biologists, and landowners
• Experience and/or knowledge of GIS (i.e., ARCMAP) and GPS technologies, can collect accurate field data with legible writing and attention to detail
• Can maintain and operate field equipment in a safe and responsible manner
• Experience using UTVs and ATVs, and driving a 4x4 truck while towing UTV/ATV trailer (helpful but not required; training will be provided)
• Experience with vegetation sampling and field research (helpful but not required)
• Experience working with cattle, avian identification by sight and sound, insect collection and identification (helpful but not required)