About The Institute for Applied Ecology

The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is a non-profit founded in 1999 with a mission to conserve native species and habitats through restoration, research, and education. Our vision is a world where all people and wildlands are healthy and interact positively, biological diversity flourishes, and environmental challenges are met with a social commitment to solving problems with scientific principles.

IAE values diversity and equity, and we encourage applications from all groups of people. We recognize that the strength of IAE is in our people, and we believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. IAE does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices, and our commitment to equal employment opportunity applies to every aspect of the employment relationship.

Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), women and other marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. IAE will not sponsor H1B visas. Non-U.S. residents must also include a copy of their work visa.

Location: Santa Fe, NM

Status: Regular, full-time, exempt

Compensation: $26-$28 per hour

Application Deadline: 9/21/2025

Start date: 10/1/2025

About the role

The Southwest Botanist is primarily focused on managing and implementing plant materials, restoration, research, and education projects in support of the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP). This position is 80% office work and 20% field work. Responsibilities include data management for wild seed collections, production inventories, and restoration trials and supervision of NM BLM Seeds of Success (SOS) seed collection crews. The SW Botanist also provides native plant technical support to other NM BLM programs and supports implementation of restoration projects to help NM BLM and the Department of Interior (DOI) improve conservation stewardship and meet DOI goals. Other core responsibilities of this position include contributing substantially to grant-writing in support of their program and program budget management with support from their supervisor.

Specific Responsibilities

Project Management

• Manage BLM NM seed data
• • Manage and analyze BLM NM PCRP data to provide the program with updated and accurate information regarding seed collection and seed production needs and priorities, allowing for effective program planning for collection and production efforts each growing season.
  • Update NM Seeds of Success seed collection and production databases and use that data to assess progress towards meeting collection gaps in species, seed zones, and/or field office, while incorporating restoration needs of field office staff.
  • Use GIS to update seed data maps and compile resources for the field offices to use.
• Manage IAE’s BLM projects
• • Develop and execute contracts for BLM production fields
  • Build accessions for production fields
  • Complete field inspections for BLM seed production fields
  • Coordinate with SWSP staff to ensure seed testing and seed certification for BLM seed lots
  • Support seed cleaning and processing, as needed
  • Manage BLM budgets
• Provide assistance and support for additional BLM projects as needed, including the implementation of USGS RestoreNet plots 

Coordination/Supervision of Others

• Hire, onboard, and train BLM SOS crews or other BLM project support staff, as well as supervision and coordination of SOS crews during their field season, including ensuring protocols are followed and data is accurate and complete. 
• Coordinate with IAE and the BLM Seeds Of Success (SOS) National Team to provide support in SOS and IAE protocol training. 
• Collaborate closely with IAE Plant Materials staff; participate in SWSP meetings as needed.  
• Ensure seasonal crew compliance and provide quality control support for digital data collection, data management, and SOS reporting requirements.
• Attend all relevant partner meetings
• Coordinate with all BLM NM native plant production partners, helping identify and provide starter seed for increase, communicating and sharing production techniques and research results for native species more novel to production, and communicating starter seed and produced seed availabilities to producers and BLM staff.
• Assist with data entry, research, and databasing for both SOS seed collection data and BLM rare plant data
• Facilitate coordination with other seed collection crews to ensure there is no duplication of effort or over-collection of plant populations.
• Obtain necessary permits for BLM projects and/or seed collection. 
• Support IAE restoration projects, volunteer events, and other duties as assigned.

Writing

• Provide SOS reports and seed availability data to BLM NM State Office and participating Field Offices.
• Respond to data requests, write technical reports, develop and present training and outreach materials, and communicate with BLM, IAE, and external partners as needed.
• Write reports, including contributing to the annual NM BLM PCRP report. 
• Participate in reviewing and revision of documents with peers and supervisors, as needed.
• Effectively communicate in writing for a wide variety of audiences such as funders, members of the scientific community/peer-reviewed outlets, project partners, members of the public, etc. 
• Contribute to the IAE newsletter

Grant/Agreement proposal preparation

• Contribute to grants/proposal narratives and/or budgets as well as successful acquisition of program funding. 
• Develop proposals, including project concepts, budgets, and schedules. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience managing and coordinating several projects simultaneously. 
• Positive attitude and excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• A minimum of five years of experience in plant ecology or a related field. 
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) & Google Suite. 
• Intermediate proficiency with collecting and managing data with ArcGIS Online and ESRI mobile applications such as FieldMaps and Survey123.
• Ability to work long hours in adverse weather conditions (heat). Ability to hike up to 3 miles carrying a 40-pound pack and work in a bent-over/kneeling/sitting position for long periods
• Ability to navigate to field sites using maps or GPS. 
• Current U.S. driver’s license and acceptable driving record. 
• Plant Species ID: Familiarity with plant families of the Southwestern region. 
• GIS: Knowledge of basic ArcGIS Pro processes to query and manipulate data and make maps.  
•  Electronic data capture (software): Able to use electronic data collection platform independently, make updates/minor edits as needed. Platforms may include FieldMaps, Survey123, S1, or others.
•  Seed Knowledge: Intermediate proficiency in seed biology, as well as collection and handling practices. Able to instruct others on seed collection and handling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Meeting facilitation: Able to plan, facilitate, and provide follow-up for group or public meetings with minimal support or supervision. 
• Experience collecting seed through the Seeds of Success or other similar program
• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role

To Apply

Please submit application via Rippling form on our jobs page: appliedeco.org/jobs

Applications must include a cover letter with references. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kara Barron (karabarron@appliedeco.org).