Living Collections Data Specialist

Summary: The Living Collections Data Specialist is responsible for maintaining all data associated with MBG's living collections and conservation horticulture program. This position manages complex, interconnected datasets that document the complete life cycle of each accession, from wild collection coordinates and provenance data through propagation protocols, cultivation histories, and distribution records, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and compliance with international botanical data standards. Responsibilities include verifying and updating taxonomic nomenclature, managing detailed source documentation that establishes legal and scientific provenance, recording material transfers, and integrating field collection data, seed bank records, propagation outcomes, and horticultural observations. The Specialist develops and implements data quality protocols, standardizes data entry procedures across divisions, and trains staff, researchers, and volunteers in LCMS workflows to ensure consistent documentation practices. This position creates custom data visualizations, reports, and analytics that inform collection development strategies, identify gaps in taxonomic or geographic representation, track conservation priorities, and support grant applications and peer-reviewed publications. The Specialist facilitates scholarly use of living collections by preparing data exports, responding to inquiries about specimen availability and documentation, and collaborating with scientists to ensure collections meet research standards. This position maintains compliance with national and international regulations governing plant material exchange, including CITES, phytosanitary requirements, and institutional policies, while developing technical resources and decision-support tools that enhance the strategic development and scientific value of Missouri Botanical Garden's living collections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research, enter, and maintain plant collections data in the Living Collections Management System (LCMS) database; train staff, students, and volunteers on the use of LCMS.
• Ensure correct use of botanical nomenclature and taxonomy in the LCMS, labels, on websites, and in publications by applying published nomenclatural rules and referencing taxonomic resources.
• Track and maintain detailed records of conservation-sensitive accessions in the LCMS, including maternal lines, provenance, pedigrees, cross-pollinations, common garden experiments, and related work; ensure that genetic and reproductive history is captured at the individual plant level to support ex situ collection integrity and downstream research use.
• Coordinate data management for plant propagation and tissue culture workflows, including micropropagation protocols, germplasm storage inventories, and vegetative increase records; collaborate with conservation horticulture staff to ensure that propagule origin, generation, and methods are accurately linked to source accessions and available for reporting.
• Collaborate with staff within and outside the Conservation & Restoration Division to acquire and develop data resources and other analysis tools to aid in species targeting, curation, and management of the living collections
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map plants in the Garden and in the wild, along with associated data; work with GIS Specialist to produce maps to aid in garden inventories, collection gap analyses, visualize genetic data, and more.
• Develop documentation, internal operating procedures, and end-user instructions for use of LCMS.
• Facilitate scholarly and public use of living collections by preparing data exports, creating custom queries, producing reports and dashboards, generating maps, and importing/exporting data files for staff, visiting scholars, students, and the public.
• Review and process plant acquisition requests from commercial sources, exchanges with other botanical gardens, and donations, ensuring data is entered correctly, plants are ordered, received, accessioned, as appropriate.
• Ensure proper documentation for various plant exchanges, and adherence to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), as well as all national and international rules and regulations; generate documentation and acquire permits related to plant acquisitions and exchanges and ensure that permits and all associated data are attached to accession records in the LCMS.
• Participate in plant collecting expeditions nationally and internationally; assist in the planning of fieldwork by performing research on target species, planning logistics, and training of field teams; use conservation standards to collect seed or other plant propagules, record collection data and GPS coordinates, create vouchers, and take DNA samples; process collected plant materials upon return and enter data into associated databases.
• Process requests for accession and display labels; ensure their timely and accurate production using in-house equipment; maintain equipment, supplies, and work area; troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and make repairs as necessary.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: While this position does not have the full scope of supervisory responsibilities, they may lead and direct the work of others, including volunteers.

Core Competencies:

Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.

Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.

Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of (3-5) years relevant work experience required.
• Thorough knowledge of plant taxonomy and nomenclature and ability to identify plants to some extent required.
• Strong interest in scientific principles of plant conservation, science, and the environment helpful
• Understanding of relational database systems and concepts (MS Access, SQL) in order to recommend improvements to LCMS, train staff and volunteers effectively, and perform analyses on existing data
• Independent self-starter, creative, flexible, and possess the ability to trouble-shoot effectively multi-task.
• Ability to present technical concepts to non-technical functional teams
• Proven ability to lead and direct the work of others, including but not limited to volunteers is required.
• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct; knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture inquiries
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed here are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture, botany, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient experience navigating through various PC applications including, but not restricted to, Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Outlook, Access, Excel, Word).
• Experience with Microsoft Access, ESRI ArcGIS software, and SQL server required.
• Experience with using R for data analysis a plus
• Experience with GPS equipment and peripherals preferred.
• Solid internet research skills
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff and/or external professional contacts in order to answer questions and service their needs

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral and written).

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution, including making decisions regarding how complex data issues are entered into living collections database.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs. (i.e., move signage supplies and equipment).
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
• Must be able to work outdoors year round.
• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout work day; requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time.
• Ability to wear Garden issued Personal Protective Equipment
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).

Work Environment:

• 75% office work at a computer, in a shared office area; 25% standing inside (manufacturing tags, labels, etc.) or outside (mapping, inventorying plants, fieldwork, etc.).
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding the living collection.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).

Supervisor:

Director, Living Collections and Conservation Horticulture