Associate Rare Plant Botanist
Botanical Society of America, Sacramento, CA, United States
Position Title: Associate Rare Plant Botanist
Position Type: Permanent Position
Institution: California Native Plant Society
Department/Division: Rare Plant Program
General Information: The Associate Rare Plant Botanist is a full‑time, non‑exempt scientific position within the CNPS Rare Plant Program focused on developing status review documents that inform additions, deletions, and changes to plant information within the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (RPI). The RPI is a widely recognized resource that contains our assessment of the current conservation status of our state’s rare, threatened, and endangered plants and directly guides rare plant education, protection, conservation planning, and land acquisition and management in California.
The Associate Botanist also supports other projects that fulfill CNPS’s Saving What Matters Most campaign and prepares scientific reports to meet the requirements of contracts, grants, and formal agreements related to the California flora.
Working under the supervision of the Rare Plant Botanist and collaborating closely with scientific staff, volunteers across CNPS Chapters, and external experts, the Associate Rare Plant Botanist synthesizes large volumes of technical information, evaluates botanical data, and contributes to the advancement of best‑available science in support of rare plant conservation throughout California.
Qualifications/Requirements
A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.
Strong background in plant science and knowledge of the California flora.
Ability to independently research, review, and interpret scientific literature.
Ability to independently write scientific reports and data summaries.
General knowledge of plant conservation regulations.
Skilled in synthesizing scientific data and interpreting botanical, ecological, and geographic information.
Experience in assessing geographic information and applying georeferencing protocols.
Strong skills and experience using ESRI ArcGIS software.
Excellent written and verbal communication, including communication through email, video, and phone.
Ability to work with partner organizations and members of the botanical community including volunteers, academics, agencies, and NGOs.
Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.
Strong organizational skills.
Experience with project management software.
Commitment to CNPS’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Enthusiasm, positive attitude, and ability to work well in a team setting.
Resides (or will relocate to) within commuting distance of Sacramento, CA.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline is preferred; however, relevant experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis in lieu of a degree. For applicants that substitute experience for a degree, the total years of professional experience required for this role will increase proportionately.
Nice to Have
A degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline.
Fluency in Spanish.
Experience working, or volunteering, for a membership‑based organization.
Experience working in a Microsoft environment.
Responsibilities
Scientific Literature Review & Data Synthesis (40%): Review and interpret complex literature on plant systematics, taxonomy, morphology, genetics, phylogeny, and floristics; gather and analyze information from scientific publications, herbarium data, online botanical resources, field survey forms, and expert input; evaluate distribution, taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of plants proposed for RPI status changes.
Scientific Writing & Report Development (30%): Write technical scientific reports summarizing research findings for proposed RPI changes or additions; develop required scientific documentation for contracts, grants, and agreements related to the California flora.
Geospatial Data Review & Occurrence Mapping (15%): Review and collate geospatial plant population data; geo‑reference plant occurrences using ESRI ArcGIS, BIOS Viewer, and related applications.
Collaboration & Expert Engagement (10%): Engage with CNPS staff, the Rare Plant Chairs of CNPS Chapters, experts, researchers, agencies, NGOs, and volunteers; collaborate with other Rare Plant Program staff on field projects collecting rare plant data; serve as a liaison for discussion of plant distribution and status information.
Data & Records Management (5%): Maintain organized digital and physical rare plant data and files; ensure accurate documentation aligned with RPI standards.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged sitting, using a computer and mouse.
Occasional field work may include standing, driving, carrying gear, traveling off‑trail in sites with variable grades, sleeping in non‑traditional situations, and being outside under various climatic conditions.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Additional Information
Full‑time, non‑exempt role.
Hybrid role based in Sacramento (CA) with remote work while requiring in‑office participation for meetings and team activities.
Preference will be given to Sacramento or Bay Area‑based candidates or to those willing to relocate.
Standard hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
A valid CA driver’s license is required.
Periodic reimbursed travel within California.
Up to ~15% of time conducting field work may be required.
Compensation Range $31.51 – $33.96 per hour.
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Position Type: Permanent Position
Institution: California Native Plant Society
Department/Division: Rare Plant Program
General Information: The Associate Rare Plant Botanist is a full‑time, non‑exempt scientific position within the CNPS Rare Plant Program focused on developing status review documents that inform additions, deletions, and changes to plant information within the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (RPI). The RPI is a widely recognized resource that contains our assessment of the current conservation status of our state’s rare, threatened, and endangered plants and directly guides rare plant education, protection, conservation planning, and land acquisition and management in California.
The Associate Botanist also supports other projects that fulfill CNPS’s Saving What Matters Most campaign and prepares scientific reports to meet the requirements of contracts, grants, and formal agreements related to the California flora.
Working under the supervision of the Rare Plant Botanist and collaborating closely with scientific staff, volunteers across CNPS Chapters, and external experts, the Associate Rare Plant Botanist synthesizes large volumes of technical information, evaluates botanical data, and contributes to the advancement of best‑available science in support of rare plant conservation throughout California.
Qualifications/Requirements
A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.
Strong background in plant science and knowledge of the California flora.
Ability to independently research, review, and interpret scientific literature.
Ability to independently write scientific reports and data summaries.
General knowledge of plant conservation regulations.
Skilled in synthesizing scientific data and interpreting botanical, ecological, and geographic information.
Experience in assessing geographic information and applying georeferencing protocols.
Strong skills and experience using ESRI ArcGIS software.
Excellent written and verbal communication, including communication through email, video, and phone.
Ability to work with partner organizations and members of the botanical community including volunteers, academics, agencies, and NGOs.
Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.
Strong organizational skills.
Experience with project management software.
Commitment to CNPS’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Enthusiasm, positive attitude, and ability to work well in a team setting.
Resides (or will relocate to) within commuting distance of Sacramento, CA.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline is preferred; however, relevant experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis in lieu of a degree. For applicants that substitute experience for a degree, the total years of professional experience required for this role will increase proportionately.
Nice to Have
A degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline.
Fluency in Spanish.
Experience working, or volunteering, for a membership‑based organization.
Experience working in a Microsoft environment.
Responsibilities
Scientific Literature Review & Data Synthesis (40%): Review and interpret complex literature on plant systematics, taxonomy, morphology, genetics, phylogeny, and floristics; gather and analyze information from scientific publications, herbarium data, online botanical resources, field survey forms, and expert input; evaluate distribution, taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of plants proposed for RPI status changes.
Scientific Writing & Report Development (30%): Write technical scientific reports summarizing research findings for proposed RPI changes or additions; develop required scientific documentation for contracts, grants, and agreements related to the California flora.
Geospatial Data Review & Occurrence Mapping (15%): Review and collate geospatial plant population data; geo‑reference plant occurrences using ESRI ArcGIS, BIOS Viewer, and related applications.
Collaboration & Expert Engagement (10%): Engage with CNPS staff, the Rare Plant Chairs of CNPS Chapters, experts, researchers, agencies, NGOs, and volunteers; collaborate with other Rare Plant Program staff on field projects collecting rare plant data; serve as a liaison for discussion of plant distribution and status information.
Data & Records Management (5%): Maintain organized digital and physical rare plant data and files; ensure accurate documentation aligned with RPI standards.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged sitting, using a computer and mouse.
Occasional field work may include standing, driving, carrying gear, traveling off‑trail in sites with variable grades, sleeping in non‑traditional situations, and being outside under various climatic conditions.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Additional Information
Full‑time, non‑exempt role.
Hybrid role based in Sacramento (CA) with remote work while requiring in‑office participation for meetings and team activities.
Preference will be given to Sacramento or Bay Area‑based candidates or to those willing to relocate.
Standard hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
A valid CA driver’s license is required.
Periodic reimbursed travel within California.
Up to ~15% of time conducting field work may be required.
Compensation Range $31.51 – $33.96 per hour.
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