Job Details

Research Support Staff (Seed Production Technician, Native Plant Materials Development Program)

Position Number: 0079333T & 0079745T (Two Positions)

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF)

Location: Schofield Barracks

Closing Date: September 11, 2026 @ 11:59pm

Band: Pay Band A

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience, 2 positions available.

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

(** Denotes essential functions)

• **Reports to and works under the direction of the Native Plant Materials Development County Specialist (NPMDS) to implement the work plan for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) Native Plant Materials Development Program. This is a partnership between the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI).
• **Supports the NPMDS with managing the establishment and maintenance of field sites (e.g., the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' (OHA) Kukaniloko OHA property and CTAHR's agricultural research stations) for both stock seed development and bulk seed production). This includes field plot preparation, weed and pest control, irrigation management, planting, cultivation, harvesting, processing, and facilitating the storage of all stock and bulk seeds.
• **Implements plant propagation activities to produce stock plants for field establishment of stock seed plots and/or bulk seed production. Duties include, but are not limited to: seed germination, transplanting seedlings into the appropriate containers, nutrient management, and pest control.
• **Under the NPMDS's supervision, safely applies pesticides and fertilizers in the greenhouse, strictly adhering to all environmental compliance and safety regulations.
• **Implements and executes standardized protocols for the collection, accessioning, and processing of wild plant materials, specifically targeting the wild seed collections of native workhorse species in remote field locations.
• **Monitors and tracks the phenology of target taxa to accurately determine seed collection timing and targets for optimal seed collections from the appropriate geographic locations.
• **Ensures methodical execution to carry out wild seed collection and handling protocols in the field, including the collection and preparation of voucher specimens for regional herbarium deposition.
• **Collaborates with the Army Natural Resources Program on O'ahu (ANRPO) Seed Conservation Laboratory to support the development of new and effective seed processing protocols, including the viability testing of incoming collections.
• **Supports the wild seed processing workflow, including accessioning, preparing seeds for storage, and accurately entering associated biological and GIS data entry.
• **Coordinates site access, logistics, and field activities with partner organizations.
• **Assists with the preparation and submission of reports for project funders and agency permits.
• **Maintains comprehensive and highly organized documentation in both the field and lab settings and ensures prompt reporting of all issues and concerns to the NPMDS.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Biological Sciences, Botany, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for working with native plant horticulture, agriculture, seed lab, greenhouse, or other biological research projects; or any equivalent education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Functional knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of native plant horticulture, agriculture, seed lab, greenhouse, or other biological research projects demonstrated by knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts, terminology.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations and systems associated with native plant horticulture, agriculture, seed lab, greenhouse, or other biological research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in the area of native plant horticulture, agriculture, seed lab, greenhouse, or other biological research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and proficiency including but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint or other presentation software; software for statistical analysis and graphing; and ArcGIS or other geospatial database software.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Familiarity with basic biological laboratory equipment and techniques, basic plant propagation, and greenhouse procedures.
• Familiarity with classification of native Hawaiian plants, botanical nomenclature, and terminology.
• Knowledge of Hawai'i's native ecosystems and their conservation. Knowledge of plant taxa from the island of O'ahu and the Endangered Species Act.
• Basic understanding of plant physiology and principles of experimental design (including basic data/statistical analyses) and knowledge of seed lab procedures.
• Basic understanding of integrated pest management, plant production, and principles of agricultural production.
• Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and record keeping skills.
• Ability to be highly detail oriented. Must be able to perform repeated tasks with a high level of accuracy and consistency.
• Familiarity in terrain navigation utilizing maps, compasses, and GPS.
• Must possess Certification in First Aid/CPR or be able to obtain the certificate within three (3) months of hire through provided training. Certification must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
• Must be able to complete helicopter safety courses within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain State of Hawai'i Certification for Application of Restricted Use Pesticides within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment.
• Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than the employee's initial exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Must complete Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Training within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment.
• If selected for chainsaw use, must be able to complete chainsaw training within twelve (12) months from date of hire.
• Requires a valid U.S. driver's license and the ability to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle in various conditions.
• Ability to hike up to six (6) miles per day with a 35-pound backpack, camp in rugged terrain and in remote areas for up to four (4) days at a time, and conduct work under strenuous outdoor conditions (e.g., mud, extreme weather, steep terrain)
• Required to comply with all applicable RCUH, University of Hawai'i, and business entity policies, procedures, and training as a condition of employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong ability to perform multiple tasks and prioritize tasks in an appropriate manner. Problem solving skills related to propagule management and seed lab practices.
• Ability to lead a small crew and work as a team member for safe and efficient operations.
• Familiarity with biological database use and maintenance.
• Proficient ability to organize biological data, conduct data analyses, and present findings, both written and oral.
• Knowledge of plant identification tools and resources and proficient identification skills of native Hawaiian and non-native vegetation
• Knowledge and experience in conducting trials and biological research in field settings.
• Knowledge of safety and logistical requirements necessary to plan field operation and knowledge of hazard risk assessments and safety planning.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local environmental laws
• Familiarity with integrative techniques used to inventory, assess, and monitor natural resource assets, environmental impacts and their interrelationships.