Seeds of Success Crew Member

Crew members will work with the Department of Interior (DOI) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. Crews will be based out of the Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) Flagstaff office. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on DOI land following SOS protocols. Crew members will receive training from the crew leader and will participate in a regional seed collection training with local botany experts. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout Arizona, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days of driving and scouting from a truck.  Safety is a prerequisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g., natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season, and will guide how fieldwork is conducted.  

Seed collected by DOI is saved in short- and long- term storage to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by DOI and other entities. 

Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol and locally developed target species lists. Crew members will work with the crew leader to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed for cleaning and short term storage The ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided and IDs will be reviewed. Crew members will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e., ArcCollector) to locate and document collections. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off highway situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed. 

While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew member will also assist with other conservation program projects during the summer to promote additional education and experience.