Job Title: Conservation Seed Bank Curator

FLSA Status: Full Time (40 hours per week)

Posting Date: March 2022

Starting Date: April 2022

REPORTS TO: Conservation Laboratories Supervisor

LOCATION: Atlanta, GA

JOB FUNCTION

The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites applications for the technician-level position of Seed Bank Curator for the Southeastern Center of Conservation within the Department of Conservation & Research. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Conservation Laboratories Supervisor to support research and protocols within the Garden’s Micropropagation and Seed Bank laboratories. The primary duties of this position are to:

1. Perform seed and pollen viability tests, upkeep plants in vitro via micropropagation and tissue culture, hone cryopreservation techniques, and clean and curate seeds, roots, and other plant derivatives for conservation, research and restoration.
2. Refine laboratory protocols related to seed banking, micropropagation, and cryopreservation, maintaining exceptional records and updating standard operating procedures accordingly.
3. Train volunteers on standard operating procedures and communicate laboratory techniques to visiting researchers.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of two years of seed bank or technical laboratory experience.
• Highly organized and adaptable with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with high attention to detail and adherence to laboratory research.
• High-level critical thinking, analytic and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail in documenting experiments and troubleshooting protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Prior experience with seed and pollen analysis, and tissue culture is highly desired.
• Experience with data analysis (e.g., ANOVA, multivariate analyses, etc.) and the use of statistical software (e.g., R, JMP, etc.).
• Certification by the AOSA, SCST, Certified Viability Technologist (CVT), or Registered Seed Technologist (RST) is highly desirable. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Visual acuity, manual dexterity and attention to detail sufficient to clean seeds proficiently. Ability to spend long periods of time in the laboratory performing complex protocols. Ability to take careful notes and improve laboratory organization. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lb. 

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.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required prior to employment.

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.

Please email resume, cover letter, and list of three references to: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/957368. 

All files should include applicant’s last name, document title, and title of the position you are applying for (Smith_Resume_SeedBankCurator). 

Review of Applications immediately.