The Associate Rare Plant Botanist is a full-time, non-exempt scientific position within the CNPS Rare Plant Program focused on developing status review documents that inform additions, deletions, and changes to plant information within the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (RPI). The RPI is a widely recognized resource that contains our assessment of the current conservation status of our state’s rare, threatened, and endangered plants and directly guides rare plant education, protection, conservation planning, and land acquisition and management in California.  

The Associate Botanist also supports other projects that fulfill CNPS’s Saving What Matters Most campaign and prepares scientific reports to meet the requirements of contracts, grants, and formal agreements related to the California flora. 
 
Working under the supervision of the Rare Plant Botanist and collaborating closely with scientific staff, volunteers across CNPS Chapters, and external experts, the Associate Rare Plant Botanist synthesizes large volumes of technical information, evaluates botanical data, and contributes to the advancement of best-available science in support of rare plant conservation throughout California. 

 
What You’ll Do 

Scientific Literature Review & Data Synthesis (40%) 

• Review and interpret complex literature on plant systematics, taxonomy, morphology, genetics, phylogeny, and floristics. 

• Gather and analyze information from scientific publications, herbarium data, online botanical resources, field survey forms, and expert input. 

• Evaluate distribution, taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of plants proposed for RPI status changes. 

Scientific Writing & Report Development (30%) 

• Write technical scientific reports summarizing research findings for proposed RPI changes or additions. 

• Develop required scientific documentation for contracts, grants, and agreements related to the California flora. 

Geospatial Data Review & Occurrence Mapping (15%) 

• Review and collate geospatial plant population data. 

• Geo-reference plant occurrences using ESRI ArcGIS, BIOS Viewer, and related applications. 

Collaboration & Expert Engagement (10%) 

• Engage with CNPS staff, the Rare Plant Chairs of CNPS Chapters, experts, researchers, agencies, NGOs, and volunteers. 

• Collaborate with other Rare Plant Program staff on field projects collecting rare plant data. 

• Serve as a liaison for discussion of plant distribution and status information. 

Data & Records Management (5%) 

• Maintain organized digital and physical rare plant data and files. 

• Ensure accurate documentation aligned with RPI standards. 

Physical Requirements 

• This job requires prolonged sitting and using a computer and mouse.  

• Occasional field work may include standing, driving, carrying gear, traveling off-trail in sites with variable grades, sleeping in non-traditional situations, and being outside under various climatic conditions.  

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Additional Information  

• Full-time, non-exempt role. 

• This is a hybrid role based in Sacramento (CA) that supports remote work while requiring in-office participation for meetings and team activities.  

• Preference will be given to Sacramento or Bay Area-based candidates or to those willing to relocate.  

• We may expand consideration to other California-based candidates only if it becomes necessary to meet our hiring goals. 

• Standard hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM  

• A valid CA driver’s license is required. 

• Periodic reimbursed travel within California. 

• Up to ~15% of time conducting field work may be required. 

Scientific & Technical Expertise: 

• A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.  

• Strong background in plant science and knowledge of the California flora. 

• Ability to independently research, review, and interpret scientific literature. 

• Ability to independently write scientific reports and data summaries. 

• General knowledge of plant conservation regulations. 

Analytical & Research Skills: 

• Skilled in synthesizing scientific data. 

• Ability to interpret botanical, ecological, and geographic information. 

• Experience in assessing geographic information and applying georeferencing protocols. 

• Strong skills and experience using ESRI ArcGIS software.   

Communication & Collaboration: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including communication through mediums including email, video, and phone. 

• Ability to work with partner organizations and members of the botanical community including volunteers, academics, agencies, and NGOs. 

Project & Time Management: 

• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks. 

• Strong organizational skills. 

• Experience with project management software.  

Values & Commitment: 

• Commitment to CNPS’s mission and values, including our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. 

• Enthusiasm, positive attitude, and ability to work well in a team setting. 

• Resides (or will relocate to) within commuting distance of Sacramento, CA. 

Educational Background:  

• A bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline is preferred; however, relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis in lieu of a degree. For applicants that substitute experience for a degree, the total years of professional experience required for this role will increase proportionately. 

Nice to Have: 

While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, successful candidates often possess at least one of the following: 

• A degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline  

• Fluency in Spanish. 

• Experience working, or volunteering, for a membership-based organization. 

• Experience working in a Microsoft environment. 

About California Native Plant Society

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization (www.cnps.org) founded in 1965, with 13,000 members in 36 chapters across California and Baja California Norte, Mexico. The mission of CNPS is to protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Native plants are the foundation of California’s globally significant biodiversity. CNPS is meeting this critical moment for biodiversity and climate action by supporting and catalyzing statewide efforts to conserve public lands, save sensitive species and habitats, and create thriving native plant habitats in our urban spaces.

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