Living Collections Data Specialist

Summary: This position is responsible for entering and maintaining data associated to MBG’s living collections and conservation horticulture program, including taxonomy and nomenclature, accessions, detailed provenance data, propagations, permits, and other associated data. This position also acquires and develops data resources and analysis tools to aid in the development of the living collection, maintains compliance with all national and international rules and regulations, facilitates scholarly use of the collections and their data, and trains and supervises volunteers for related work. 

Responsibilities

• Research, enter, and maintain plant collections data in the Living Collections Management System (LCMS) database; train staff, students, and volunteers on the use of LCMS.

• Track and maintain detailed records of conservation-sensitive accessions in the LCMS, including maternal lines, provenance, pedigrees, cross-pollinations, common garden experiments, and related work; ensure that genetic and reproductive history is captured at the individual plant level to support ex situ collection integrity and downstream research use.

• Coordinate data management for plant propagation and tissue culture workflows, including micropropagation protocols, germplasm storage inventories, and vegetative increase records; collaborate with conservation horticulture staff to ensure that propagule origin, generation, and methods are accurately linked to source accessions and available for reporting.

• Facilitate the recording and use of plant collections data for staff, visiting scholars, students, and the public by creating queries, producing reports, dashboards, maps, etc. 

• Ensure correct botanical nomenclature and taxonomy is used in the LCMS, labels, on websites, and in publications by applying published nomenclatural rules and referencing taxonomic resources.  

• Collaborate with staff within and outside the Conservation & Restoration Division to acquire and develop data resources and other analysis tools to aid in species targeting, curation, and management of the living collections.  

• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map plants in the Garden and in the wild, along with associated data; work with GIS Specialist to produce maps to aid in garden inventories, collection GAP analyses, visualize genetic data, and more. 

• Ensure proper documentation for various plant exchanges, and adherence to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), as well as all national and international rules and regulations; generate documentation and acquire permits related to plant acquisitions and exchanges and ensure that permits and all associated data are attached to accession records in the LCMS.  

• Participate in plant collecting expeditions nationally and internationally; assist in the planning of fieldwork by performing research on target species, planning logistics, and training of field teams; use conservation standards to collect seed or other plant propagules, record collection data and GPS coordinates, create vouchers, and take DNA samples; process collected plant materials upon return and enter data into associated databases.

• Perform other duties as assigned  

Qualifications

• Minimum of (3-5) years relevant work experience required
• Thorough knowledge of plant taxonomy and nomenclature and ability to identify plants to some extent required.  
• Strong interest in scientific principles of plant conservation, science, and the environment helpful  
• Understanding of relational database systems and concepts (MS Access, SQL) in order to recommend improvements to LCMS, train staff and volunteers effectively, and perform analyses on existing data  
• Independent self-starter, creative, flexible, and possess the ability to trouble-shoot effectively multi-task. 
• Ability to present technical concepts to non-technical functional teams 
• Proven ability to lead and direct the work of others, including but not limited to volunteers is required. 
• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct; knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture inquiries 
• Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines  
• The requirements and duties listed here are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.