Summer Botany Assistant

SUMMARY OF POSITION 

This position is working with the New York Natural Heritage Program’s (NYNHP) Botany Program and is focused on assisting the Chief Botanist and State Parks Botanist with rare plant research. The work involves inventorying and documenting rare plant occurrences across the state and entering that information into NYNHP databases. Time will be split approximately 60/40 between field work and office work during the field season. The candidate should be willing to travel on trips involving overnights to various locations while assisting with field work. Candidate must have a driver’s license and transportation to and from the Albany, NY office. Vehicles and lodging are provided for travel elsewhere. 

Additional information on the New York Natural Heritage Program is available at nynhp.org 

Information on New York State Parks is available at parks.ny.gov 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Field Work: 

• Assist with the preparation of maps, identification information, and with landowner permission, for field surveys.
• Assist field botanists in conducting surveys for rare plants and invasive species, documenting finds, and collecting specimens. 

Information Processing:

• Process plant specimens and prepare labels for preservation and storage of specimens.
• Enter information for photographs into the digital image database.
• Assist with processing a backlog of rare plant records received from outside sources.
• Work in ArcGIS and NYNHP databases mapping and storing information on rare plant reports. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

• Must be working on, or recently completed, an undergraduate or graduate degree in botany, ecology, forestry, conservation biology, or a related field. 
  • Preference will be given to advanced undergraduates or recent graduates with a strong interest in plant ecology or plant taxonomy, but all welcome to apply. 
• Course work and knowledge of plant ecology and plants of New York State.
• Biological or ecological field work experience in biology and plant species identification skills are desired.
• A valid drivers license is strongly preferred. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT 

The Botany assistant may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. This may include off-trail hikes and bushwhacks through wetlands, on steep and/or rocky slopes, in tick-infested areas, and aquatic surveys from canoes or other boats. 

Travel may include long drives between sites, overnight stays in hotels, and occasional camping. Office work will involve mapping and entering data into databases at our office in Albany, NY. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Direct cover letter and resume, including contact information for three references to: Rich Ring, Chief Botanist Email: rmring@esf.edu 

Mailing Address: 

New York Natural Heritage Program 

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 

Albany, NY 12233-4757 

Closing date: February 21, 2025