Seed Collection Field Botanist Team - Rocky Mountain National Park

Seed Collection Field Botanist Team - Rocky Mountain National Park

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking Two SOS Field Crew Botanists to contribute to seed collection projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 15th, 2026
Estimated End Date: September 5th, 2026

Start and end date can be flexible. A 12-week minimum commitment is required, with the possibility to extend to 16 weeks.

Location Details/Description: 

Work will be conducted in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover along the over 300 miles of hiking trails. 

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit the NPS website. 

Position Overview: 

We are seeking a team of two to support National Park Service botanical staff with native seed collection, data management, and seed curation. These locally sourced seeds play a critical role in habitat restoration efforts throughout the park. Team members will receive training in plant identification and the Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol (used by the BLM, USFWS, and NPS).

After initial training, this is a highly independent, field-based position. While NPS staff will provide periodic guidance and weekly check-ins, the team should expect to work largely on their own without daily supervision. Members will be responsible for planning and executing their weekly work, including scouting seed populations, conducting collections, managing data, and completing reports. The team will also ensure quality control of all seed and data collection efforts and may occasionally assist in guiding volunteers.

This position offers a strong leadership opportunity for individuals stepping into crew lead roles. It’s ideal for those interested in gaining hands-on experience with the Seeds of Success seed collection protocol, building data collection and management skills, and making a direct impact on National Park Service restoration work.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. 

Schedule: The position follows a 4-days-on / 3-days-off schedule, with 10-hour field days. The team will be camping in the field for four days, requiring comfort with front-country camping and self-sufficiency. 

Workdays shall be between Monday-Thursday and it is expected that days will be at least 10 hours in length due to the commuting distance to work areas. Scheduling and start times are at the discretion of the crew, but shall be early enough to allow for 10 hours of daylight work. Members should expect that they will be camping at least 3 nights each week. 

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Members will be provided a front-country campsite on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park for days of service. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and a food storage box. Flush toilets and drinking water are available. All camping is front country, and members will have access to their provided ACE vehicle. Members will be given a camp stove, food storage bins, and additional camping supplies. Members will be expected to provide their own tent and sleeping bags. Members will have access to the campsite outside of service days. 

Due to very limited housing available in and surrounding the park, members should plan to live in the Boulder/Longmont/Loveland/Fort Collins, Colorado areas where there are many more amenities and lower cost housing options.

Camp Life Allowance: A housing/camping stipend of $200/week will be provided to offset housing & camp food costs. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $350 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes personal camp gear and field-work clothing. Purchases must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training will include Seeds of Success seed collection protocol. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 

• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks 

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 

• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a biology or natural resources subject, and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany/plant science and/or ecology. 

• Experience performing plant identification, seed collection, and collecting data via Survey123 and Field Maps. 

• Ability and willingness to perform seed collection which can sometimes be repetitive and meticulous work, follow seed collection and data collection protocols, and spend at least three nights a week camping.

• Ability to maintain a positive team dynamic on a long-form two person field team.

• Deep interest in botany and restoration.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, 

• and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.

• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds

• Environmental: Outdoor conditions-work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.

• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic

• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Work takes place both indoors and outdoors, including challenging outdoor environments. Exposure to hazards such as poison oak, stinging nettle, ticks, and mosquitoes is likely. The role is physically demanding, requiring long days of hiking over uneven terrain, standing, climbing, lifting, and conducting repressive seed-collection tasks. Some responsibilities, such as data management and report writing, are sedentary and require sustained focus.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: A vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties and will be provided by ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the site will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE Senior Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso. 

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.