Get out and enjoy natural Florida with us! The Florida Natural Areas Inventory offers an excellent collaborative working environment with a dedicated team of biologists, GIS and data analysts, conservation planners, and administrative staff. As a Florida State University employee you will have access to a wide range of benefits the university offers.

We are currently hiring for one position!

Botanist (full time): To apply and view more information about this position, please click here.

SUMMARY:

• FNAI is looking for a mid-level botanist to work on an array of applied research projects supporting land management and conservation in Florida.
• Field work will include vegetation sampling, rare or invasive plant surveys and natural community delineation (GIS mapping).
• Work will be conducted on conservation lands from the Keys to the Panhandle.
• Time will be split between field and office time but will involve a considerable number of long field days in often challenging conditions – extreme temperatures, humidity, sun, biting insects, dense vegetation.
• Candidates must be comfortable working in small groups, or sometimes alone, in areas with sporadic cell service, navigating to field sites through difficult terrain, and walking long distances.
• The position requires extensive travel (up to 90% for some periods) and field work in remote locations across Florida throughout the year.
• Current FNAI projects that the candidate may assist with include: Rare plant surveys, natural community (ecosystem/vegetative community) mapping, invasive plant surveys, management planning and evaluation of treatment efficacy, vegetation monitoring plot data collection to inform land management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify plants, collect data on vegetative structure and composition, and distinguish vegetative communities using standard field protocols
• Process field data and prepare maps using ArcGIS, analyze spatial and tabular data, and prepare written documents on findings suitable for agency reports or publications
• Participate in meetings with co-workers, and agency partners as necessary to coordinate project activities and present results as required by the project.
• Attend meetings and workshops relevant to performance of position.
• Assist in the completion of technical reports and/or manuscripts upon project completion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in botany or biological sciences (graduate degree preferred)
• Minimum of 6 months (two years or more preferred) full-time experience collecting botanical field data.
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys and extensive knowledge of the flora of the southeastern US, preferably Florida.
• Good organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure of deadlines and to provide written responses in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate well in person and in writing.
• Ability to work well with FNAI staff scientists and other university or agency partners.
• A commitment to conducting professional conservation work and delivering high quality products.
• Excellent physical condition and the ability to conduct rigorous field work in adverse conditions.
• Willingness to travel frequently during the workweek (potentially as much as 90% for some periods), drive long distances, and work long days (averaging 10 hrs.). Field trips are generally Monday – Thursday and require overnight stays in hotels or remote camping.
• A commitment to FNAI’s conservation goals.
• Experience with personal computers, databases, GPS, and GIS.

PREFERRED:

• Experience with remote sensing, natural community and habitat interpretation from aerial photographs and satellite imagery.
• Experience or familiarity with ArcGIS and database management software.
• Experience/interest in primitive camping (camping on site during the cooler months allows FNAI staff to make good use of daylight in areas where hotels are far away) 
• Experience using R for data analysis.

CONSIDERATIONS:

• This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

In addition to our permanent staff, we occasionally hire temporary field positions as project needs arise, so check back often!