Botanical Research Aide (Hourly)

Requisition Id: 4432

Salary: $16.58 - $20.31

Salary Grade: H4

Job Location: Clinton Office (CLINT1)

Closing Date: April 15, 2026

Expected Work Hours: May 18, 2026 to August 28, 2026 (Dates are Flexible)

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.

To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Thomas R Thompson at Tom.Thompson@mdc.mo.gov or at660 8858179x240, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is recruiting 2 Botanical Research Assistants to assist in vegetation data collection in the tallgrass prairies of West-Central and Southwest Missouri. Assistants will work along the botany crew leader and Grassland Ecologist to identify prairie plant species and record vegetation data for a long-term study investigating the effects of patch burn grazing with cattle (PBGC) on remnant prairie plant communities. This position offers an opportunity to further develop botanical identification skills, gain a better understanding of prairie ecosystems, and interact with professionals in the natural resources field.

• Assess species diversity by documenting presence/absence, growth and development, and percent cover of select plant species on 5 remnant prairies (both grazed and ungrazed units).
• Maintain adherence to protocols with limited supervision.
• Develop skills and become proficient in identification of 200+ prairie plants to species
• Assist in bee surveys on 5 remnant prairies (both grazed and ungrazed units).
• Assist with other duties include collecting and mounting plant specimens, assisting in herbarium maintenance, and bee processing and pinning. Will use GPS and GIS technology to map sites and will assist with data entry and database management.

• Maintain the accuracy of and availability to information in various databases.
• Provide limited scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
• Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
• Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
• This position is field work focused, although there will be opportunities that are lab focused (e.g., working with herbarium samples, identification of collected/vouchered specimens).

Other duties as assigned.

• Two years of undergraduate education in one of the sciences (e.g., Wildlife, Fisheries, Forestry, or Biological Sciences).
• Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.

• Experience or course work involving plant identificatin to species.
• Capable of working cooperatively with others, as well as working independently with little daily supervision.
• Experience with some word processing (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint) and database software (Excel or Access).
• Must be hard-working and enthusiastic.
• Can communicate well with other co-workers, crews, local wildlife biologists, and landowners,
• Experience and/or knowledge of GIS (i.e., ARCMAP) and GPS technologies, can collect accurate field data with legible writing and attention to detail, experience and/ or knowledge of prairie/grassland systems.
• Can maintain and operate field equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Experience using UTVs and ATVs, and driving a 4x4 truck while towing UTV/ATV trailer (helpful but not required; training will be provided).
• Experience with vegetation sampling and field research (helpful but not required),
• Experience working with cattle, avian identification by sight and sound, insect collection and identification (helpful but not required).

• Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
• Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.

• Remain stationary up to 50% of the time.
• Able to walk over 3 miles per day under varying habitat and weather conditions typical of western Missouri in summer.
• Ability to move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
• Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
• Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Regularly lift up to 30 pounds.
• Concentrated attention is required at all times.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.