The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land and life. We do this work for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations.

The Conservation Botanist position will be responsible for assisting with data collection, assessment, and monitoring of rare plant species for the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance (PPCA), a program of the Department of the Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The PPCA and Western PA Conservancy work closely through the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) partnership. The Conservation Botanist will work with the PPCA Coordinator, the WPC Botany Program Manager, and WPC Heritage Program Botanists to plan and implement all activities. Additionally, this position may assist in general botany inventory, research, and analysis related to plant communities and ecological systems to advance the conservation of biologically significant plant populations and natural communities.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Science degree in conservation biology, environmental resource management, environmental science, or related fields (i.e. botany, ecology etc.)
• Applicant must possess a valid Class C Driver’s License

Preferred Qualification:

Master’s Degree in conservation biology, environmental resource management, environmental science, or related fields (i.e. botany, ecology etc.) or Bachelor’s degree with 3 to 5 years of experience.

Preferred Skills: 

• Broad familiarity with the flora and ecosystems of Pennsylvania, mid-Atlantic, and central Appalachian regions. Experience in plant conservation methods and demonstrates wide interest in botany. Some experience with natural heritage methodology, preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of conservation biology, restoration ecology and ecological aspects of natural resource management, with special focus on native flora.
• Computer literacy and ability to operate Windows based programs, basic database and statistical software programs to perform data entry, analysis, and management.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to create detailed reports electronically as well as computerized maps. Experience with ArcGIS Tools, R Studio, and GPS is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated sound decision-making abilities and organizational skills.
• Good oral communication skills including the ability to develop and make presentations to the general public and peer audiences.
• Must have a cooperative work ethic, good interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, which will include some evenings and occasional overnight travel throughout Pennsylvania.
• To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills
• Sedentary work
• Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity
• Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech
• Ability to lift and carry 30+ pounds of gear during fieldwork
• Stamina to conduct field investigations in rough terrain and in adverse weather conditions
• Ability to navigate outdoors using GPS and a variety of maps
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle

Location: This position will be based out of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg, PA. This position will have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time according to WPC. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We are fully committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek contributors from all backgrounds to join our team.