PTGC Conservation Seed Bank Intern

Description

The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites applications for the Conservation Seed Bank Intern position. This short-term internship opportunity aims to host individuals affiliated with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and/ or the Museum of the Cherokee People to support long-term partnerships for plant conservation. This experience is designed to provide training and a living wage while building capacity for Tribal Nation partners. Opportunities include immersion in the seed bank and conservation horticulture operations.

3 weeks in Midtown Atlanta and ~1 week in Gainesville, GA Garden locations

Two temporary, full-time positions funded for 160 hours at a $22/hour pay rate.

Each individual will receive $1,181 for accommodation, gas, meals, and incidental expenses. 

During the week in Gainesville, accommodation will be provided, but not meals and incidental expenses. 

Successful candidates will work under the supervision of the Conservation Research Scientist - Seed Bank. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conservation Seed Bank

• Support hands-on training in the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Conservation Seed Bank at the Southeastern Center for Conservation. The Museum of the Cherokee People plans to increase capacity by building a state-of-the-art facility, but their staff faces a steep learning curve to hone their skills in this specialized technique. Training will teach proficiency in applying the following concepts and techniques:
• Conventional seed banking theory and its alternatives
• Seed biology and storage behavior
• Selection, implementation, and assessment of viability tests
• Sterile technique under a laminar flow hood
• Data management and interpretation

Conservation Horticulture

The Garden maintains extensive collections of imperiled species native to the southeastern continental United States in ex-situ collections. These collections require daily maintenance by specialized staff. Horticultural work will take place at the Garden’s Conservation Greenhouses in Midtown, Atlanta, and at the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery in Gainesville, GA. Interns will work directly with Conservation Horticulture staff to focus on the propagation and cultivation of threatened and endangered plants. Duties will include the following:

• General horticultural care and greenhouse and nursery maintenance
• Standard and innovative methods for maintaining ex situ collections representing wild populations and maternal lines of imperiled species
• Assistance with research and preparation of seed increase beds for common native wetland species associated with rare plants
• Learning about in situ restoration efforts undertaken with partners

Requirements

Qualifications

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
• Must have a great interest in learning about seed banking, botany, biology, and conservation
• Minimum of one year of prior work experience.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lb. 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to spend long periods of time performing complex protocols. 
• Ability to spend time working outside working in a wide range of weather and temperature extremes. 

Mental Requirements:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 
• Ability to effectively respond to multiple, changing, and often conflicting priorities is essential. 
• Must be able to effectively interact with the general public and co-workers and peer professionals. 

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

It is the policy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.