Show [Open Till Filled] Rare Plant Specialist

Pūlama Lānaʻi Conservation Department protects native and endangered species, controls invasive species, and prevents new pest establishment on the island of Lānaʻi. Our work spans wildlife, plants, habitats, and community across the island to promote resilience, recovery, and a sustainable future.

This position is salaried (exempt).

Primary Responsibility:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Plant Conservation Program leadership, leads execution of the Conservation Department’s rare plant program. The Rare Plant Specialist is responsible for planning, development, and management of rare plant programs on Lānaʻi. The Rare Plant Specialist is also responsible for assisting in the execution of day-to-day operations and on-the-ground field work including but not limited to rare plant monitoring and surveying, fruit/seed collection and support of genetic banking, propagation and outplanting, incipient invasive species monitoring and control, and biosecurity. 

The Rare Plant Specialist prepares plans, resource needs and operating budgets, develops program priorities with supervisors, maintains databases, rare plant permits, and proper reporting, prepares grant proposals, and develops policies and procedures for the Department’s Plant Conservation Program. The Rare Plant Specialist also aids in building and enhancing community, partner, and constituency group relationships, including, but not limited to, nursery; horticulture and agriculture groups; County, State, and Federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; and other relevant associations. The position also handles sensitive information and performs administrative duties including application, execution, and reporting for rare plant 

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to: Plant Conservation Program Manager

Supervises: Conservation Technicians (I, II, III), interns, and volunteers. May supervise contractors or visiting researchers.

Quality Standards:

• Conduct individual and business affairs in highest ethical and legal fashion.
• Establish and contribute to a supportive, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Build strong communication links with supervisors, peers, and employees.
• Continuously strive for excellence in the workplace, the Company environment, and as a Company representative. Comply with all Company policies and standards.
• Conducts business in alignment with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Pūlama Lāna‘i.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, management, and execution of rare plant conservation activities; develop and implement priorities in coordination with Department leadership.
• Leads planning and execution of monitoring and survey efforts for rare plants.
• Lead coordination of rare plant genetic conservation, including propagule collection and storage (or transfer to partner facilities), propagation, and outplanting.  
• Lead management of rare plant enclosures including establishing new enclosures, maintaining current enclosures, and managing vegetation/pests within them. This duty includes preparing and applying pesticides and other treatments per labels and protocols; preparing, maintaining, and deploying animal and insect traps and monitoring devices; using and maintaining small motor tools (e.g. chainsaws, weed whackers); and erecting and maintaining ungulate fencing.
• Maintain appropriate permits for monitoring, seed collection and storage (or transfer), propagation, and outplanting, including keeping consistent and accurate records, data management, and writing and submitting permit reports.
• Lead efforts to achieve recovery goals for rare plants as established in the Lāna‘i Conservation Management Plan. 
• Coordinate with partner agencies and organizations on aspects of the program as appropriate, such as rare plant recovery priorities, seed/fruit collection, transfer of seeds and plants, techniques, best practices, and data consistency.
• Assist native ecosystem restoration including weed control, native out-planting, and fence installation and repairs.
• Assist controlling and monitoring incipient invasive species.
• Assist nursery work for Conservation and Island Operations.
• Assist biosecurity inspections of incoming plants.
• Assist routine monitoring of sites around the island for invasive pests.
• Communicate within the Conservation, and other company departments, external partners, stakeholders, and community members, about native plant conservation and biosecurity-related items, including quarantine procedures, expectations, and results.
• Maintain program equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

General Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as a productive team member with people of diverse cultures, ages, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong interest in natural resource management.
• Strong safety ethic.
• Able to effectively, efficiently, and safely execute instructions and direction.

Basic Job-Specific Required Experience and Abilities:

• Combination of experience and education equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in biology (Botany, Ecology, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience with Hawai‘i’s flora, fauna, natural resources, and culture.
• Able to learn species common and scientific names and become familiar with botanical terminology for describing plants.
• Able to make detailed scientific and ecological observations and record them accurately, rigorously, and repeatedly.
• Able to work irregular hours, and serve on-call to assist in other program areas.
• Able to work in remote field conditions and in inclement weather.
• Able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Able to fly in and work around helicopters.
• Able to operate weed-eaters and chainsaws.
• Able to use computers, GPS, tablets, and other electronic devices. Proficient in Microsoft Office, and able to learn in-house database systems. Able to travel off-island and camp for 3-5 days up to three times a year.

Preferred Job-Specific Experience and Abilities:

• Combination of experience and education equivalent to a Master of Science in biology (Botany, Ecology, etc.).
• Specific knowledge of and experience conserving Hawai‘i’s rare, common, and non-native plants including taxonomy, ecology, and conservation requirements.
• Firsthand knowledge of and experience with Lāna‘i’s natural resources and community.
• Experience designing and engaging outreach, education, and training in natural resource topics.
• Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing to a wide range of audiences (students K-College, laypeople, cooperators, etc.)
• Proficiency with ArcGIS mapping and data management.
• Knowledge of ungulate fence construction and maintenance.
• Experience growing plants and/or working in a nursery setting.
• Experience with outplanting. 

Required Work Cards/Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License and successful review of Motor Vehicle Record.
• Ability to obtain Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross First Aid certification.Ability to obtain applicable herbicide and/or pesticide treatment licenses or certification.
• Ability to successfully complete ATV and UTV trainings.
• Ability to successfully complete helicopter safety training.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing and sitting for long periods of time indoors and outdoors.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear.
• The employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and color vision.
• Employee must have the ability to hear normal conversation without the use of amplification or enhancement devices.
• Standing, moving, and carrying up to 30 lbs over uneven terrain in inclement weather.
• Ability to hike over uneven terrain for up to 7 miles while carrying a pack daily. 

Apply HERE.