Position Summary

The Georgia Native Seed Network (GNSN), led by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, is seeking a Field & Production Technician to support native seed research and conservation plant production in partnership with the USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Americus, Georgia.

This position provides hands-on technical support for field trials, seed increase plots, and conservation plant production efforts that serve ecological restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement, and working lands conservation across Georgia. The technician will assist with planting, maintaining, evaluating, harvesting, cleaning, and documenting native plant materials while working closely with PMC staff to ensure adherence to established protocols and production standards.

This role is ideal for a technician with strong field skills who enjoys applied plant science, equipment operation, and contributing to large-scale conservation outcomes.

This is a grant funded position with secured funding for two years. While the continuation of funding and employment is anticipated, it is not guaranteed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Practical knowledge of native plant ecology, crop production, and basic plant science principles
• Experience or aptitude in establishing and maintaining research plots and seed production fields
• Knowledge of seed collection, cleaning, processing, and storage practices for native plant species
• Ability to recognize plant growth stages, seed maturity, and common pest, weed, and disease issues
• Skill in operating and maintaining agricultural and seed processing equipment (tractors, harvesters, seed cleaners, irrigation systems)
• Knowledge of fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide application practices, including calibration, label compliance, and safe handling
• Ability to collect accurate field and production data and maintain detailed technical records
• Familiarity with greenhouse, shade house, and facility operations is preferred
• Ability to work independently on routine tasks while coordinating closely with partner staff
• Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Regular outdoor work in heat, cold, humidity, and uneven terrain
• Exposure to farm machinery, seed processing equipment, and agricultural chemicals, requiring appropriate personal protective equipment
• Work may involve repetitive tasks, prolonged standing, bending, walking, and operating equipment.

Duties/Responsibilities

Field Work:

• Prepare, establish, and maintain seed and plant production fields of various native plants
• Exercise close control needed in meeting crop improvement association standards for production of seed and plants for conservation and other native plantings.
• Complete fertilizer, chemical, and pesticide applications, maintaining labels, proper storage, and reporting as required by responsible regulatory agencies.
• Calibrate equipment to ensure application within label or desired guidelines.
• Perform proper operation, maintenance, and repair of the various kinds of farm agricultural equipment.
• Adapt existing machinery to meet unusual production, harvesting, and cleaning operations, develop methods to handle new and unfamiliar seed and planting stock.
• Assists with wild collections seeds from native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
• Assist with facility and landscape maintenance and repairs to maintain facilities in an acceptable condition.
• Assist with maintaining the security and safety of the PMC and notify the Farm Foreman or the PMC manager of significant deficiencies.

Percentage of time 60

Laboratory Work:

• Conduct routine laboratory tests (moisture content, purity, seed count, full seed, germination) to determine seed quality.
• Maintain and operate specialized laboratory equipment.
• Record test data and prepare reports following established guidelines.
• Follow seed processing protocols. Cleans seeds and processes plants produced at the PMC to required standards using various seed cleaning tools and equipment to clean and upgrade seed collections. Document steps to develop new seed processing protocols.
• Collaborate with staff to clean, maintain, package, and ship germplasm conservation seed collections for long-term storage
• Manage and record actions as necessary to meet quality management system requirements.

Percentage of time 30

Training and Development:

• Complete required training by UGA and PMC to maintain access to job-critical systems
• Complete required certifications to facilitate use of special equipment, such as UTV and/or forklift
• Complete required training and/or earn continuing education credits to maintain Georgia Pesticide Applicator’s license

Percentage of time 5

Education and Outreach:

• Assist SBG/PMC staff in conducting tours, training, field days, and other technology transfer activities appropriate to the position.
• Assist with establishment, maintenance, and evaluation of off-center plantings for demonstration or outreach purposes.

Percentage of time 5