Research Associate (Propagule Conservation Biologist,T)

Title: Research Associate (Propagule Conservation Biologist)

Position Number:T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) Army Natural Resource Program on Oahu (ANRPO)

Location: Schofield Barracks

Date Posted: November 3 2025

Closing Date:December 8 2025 @ 11:59pm (extended)

Band: Pay Band B (PBB)

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

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

(NOTE: ** denotes Essential Functions)

• **Manages the Army Natural Resource Program on Oahu (ANRPO) seed lab and directs and supervises seed lab staff.
• **Manages recruitment onboarding professional development performance evaluations promotions disciplinary actions and day-to-day oversight to ensure team productivity and safety compliance.
• **Leads the strategic planning implementation and adaptive management of ANRPOs seed laboratory and propagule conservation program in alignment with biological opinions federal consultations and Army integrated natural resource management plans. Develops plans reviews and revises propagule conservation program projects plans and actions in collaboration with program managers coordinators field supervisors biologists and specialists. Ensures actions are scheduled and reviewed.
• **Oversees seed lab and propagule conservation program logistics scheduling gear supplies purchasing facilities maintenance data collection and action completion.
• **Designs and directs propagule management activities including but not limited to: generating propagule collection needs lists; developing guides for timing quantity and quality of collections; implementing protocols for seed storage testing; analyzing seed storage and propagation data; refining and developing protocols for propagation of rare and common native species and developing protocol and annual propagation actions to support the rare plant and restoration out-plantings.
• **Implements monitors and provides oversight for seed conservation lab and propagule conservation actions. Directs staff on relevant actions. Provides oversight and oversees staff training on seed lab propagule conservation and propagule collection practices and protocols. Provides oversight mentorship and technical support for field teams technicians and temporary staff conducting propagule conservation activities.
• **Manages and analyzes propagule conservation and seed lab data including inventories of the seed lab greenhouses living collections and accessions held at partner agencies to monitor program effectiveness identify areas for improvement and ensure data accuracy.
• **Ensures the accuracy quality and timeliness of programmatic deliverables including internal and external reports and presentations action review permit review and reporting pesticide and fertilizer usage documentation and collaborative agency updates. Manages workflows to meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations.
• **Oversees research development and adaptive management initiatives to continually enhance seed storage propagule conservation propagation living collections germination protocols hand-pollination dormancy-breaking techniques understanding of plant breeding systems and native plant material development. Conducts and manages experimental trials distributing key findings through publications to inform and improve rare plant management practices.
• **Leads and supports staff development activities professional growth opportunities and education days including hands-on training in propagule collection and processing plant propagation plant identification restoration threat control and safety practices.
• **Incorporates and enforces comprehensive safety standards ensuring program-wide adherence to standard operating procedures timely reporting of incidents and appropriate personnel action and training. Reviews and revises standard operating procedures.
• **Engages in interagency collaboration and coordination with partners such as Lyon Arboretum participating in working groups consultations and meetings to inform innovate and implement shared conservation strategies related to propagule conservation seed lab management and ex-situ living collections.
• Conducts field work in natural areas including activities related to native plant collection propagation reintroduction and monitoring.
• Conducts operations in UXO-affected areas supports helicopter missions and may perform other high-risk tasks while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Considerable working knowledge of principles practices and techniques in the area of propagule management and seed storage best practices techniques and protocols as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws rules regulations and theories and systems associated with the Endangered Species Act and environmental laws.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations groups team leaders and 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.
• For supervisory work demonstrated ability to lead subordinates manage work priorities and projects and manage employee relations.

• Strong verbal and written communication organizational and project management skills.
• Proven ability to manage performance evaluations supervise personnel functions (including hiring promotions and terminations) set work standards/expectations and foster professional development.
• Experience with biological laboratory operations equipment and techniques. Ability to conduct biological research.
• Knowledge of plant physiology.
• Knowledge of basic plant propagation and greenhouse procedures.
• Knowledge of native and invasive plants in Hawaii including taxonomy identification botanical terminology biology natural history and threats.
• Knowledge of natural resource management strategies and techniques native ecosystems native and invasive taxa rare plants collection and propagation practices and ecosystem threats.
• Knowledge of trial and experimental design principles.
• Established proficiency in terrain navigation utilizing maps compasses and GPS.
• Required to complete a Department of Defense (DoD) security check for employment as an Army contractor including a government security investigation and eligibility verification for access to unclassified information.
• 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 Hawaii 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 employees 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.
• Requires a valid U.S. drivers 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 Hawaii and business entity policies procedures and training as a condition of employment.

• Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems on Army lands in Hawaii.
• Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in Biological Science Horticulture Natural Resource Management or Environmental Science.
• Knowledge of Department of the Army natural resources programs in general and the policies and organizational contexts within which they are managed especially safety and logistical requirements necessary to plan field operations around Army training schedules.
• Experience running operations including scheduling logistics and risk assessment.
• Familiarity with integrative techniques used to inventory assess and monitor natural resource assets environmental impacts and their interrelationships.
• Familiarity with biological database application and maintenance.
• Familiarity with specialized propagule storage techniques such as tissue culture cryo-storage etc.
• Familiarity with the regeneration of seed from collections and large-scale production of seed for restoration applications.
• Familiarity with pollination techniques.
• Experience working with threatened and endangered taxa.
• Familiarity with statistical analyses and preparing reports and/or papers for publication.

To Apply:

Click on the Apply button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and upload required documents. Required documents include: (1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; (2) resume; (3) the names and contact information of at least three professional references; and (4) transcripts showing degree and coursework to date appropriate to the position (original official transcripts will be required at the time of hire).

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Inquiries:

Suzanne Case;

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