What are the responsibilities and job description for the Evaluation & Trials Coordinator position at Seed Savers Exchange?
Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization based in Decorah, Iowa, dedicated to conserving and promoting America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations.
Primary Role:
The Evaluation and Trials Coordinator supports Seed Savers Exchange’s efforts to steward, document, and assess the collection by managing the Evaluation Program. The focus of this position is to oversee on-farm evaluation activities, coordinate the Community Science ADAPT program, and conduct trials for the Collection to Catalog Initiative. This staff member is an advocate for the collection and works to educate Seed Savers Exchange members and the general public about the value and importance of stewarding open-pollinated varieties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
● Document varieties in the collection by collecting performance and phenotype data, taking photographs, scanning plant material, and conducting taste tests
● Oversee evaluation data collection and ensure data are accurately recorded in a timely manner
● Collaborate with Preservation staff to assess priorities, develop goals, and implement strategies for collection management
● Coordinate the Community Science ADAPT Program by selecting varieties to trial, coordinating seed distributions, leading participant engagement events and distributing results
● Coordinate trials for the Collection to Catalog (C2C) Initiative, an interdepartmental program that seeks to bring exciting varieties from the seed bank to the catalog
● Coordinate additional trials, as needed, to support collection curation efforts
● Schedule varieties to grow for evaluation, ADAPT, and Collection to Catalog (C2C) trials using a complex database
● Collaborate with Farm Director to assist with field work during peak times
● Evaluate Seed House varieties as needed
● Work with the Marketing team to write articles and blogs that educate the public about growing and trialing open pollinated varieties, seed saving, and home gardening
● Work with the Education and Engagement Manager to coordinate tours of evaluation plots
● Represent Seed Savers Exchange at conferences, events, and fairs
Physical Requirements:
● Ability to work hard in varying weather conditions
● Ability to stand, kneel, walk, push, and pull for extended periods of time
● Ability to lift up to 100 lbs. (assisted) and lift/carry at least 50 lbs. (unassisted)
Qualifications:
● Degree or experience in horticulture, plant science, botany, or biology
● Experience with organic vegetable, flower, and/or herb production preferred
● Ability to keep accurate, detailed digital records in a fast-paced work environment
● Experience with relational databases
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Applicants must have a valid driver’s license
Benefits:
● PTO & Holidays
● Life insurance and long term disability provided by SSE
● Employee discounts
● Medical, dental and vision insurance available
● Retirement plan with company match
● Wellness program with annual stipend and paid wellness day
Seed Savers Exchange is an equal-opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. Seed Savers Exchange does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law.