Conservation & Research Assistant (Work-Study)

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum, in partnership with the University of Utah, is seeking a part-time Conservation Seed Bank Assistant to support updating and maintaining the seed bank database and assist with seed preservation activities.

Responsibilities include checking seed bank contents, data entry, preparing new seed collections for storage, viability testing, imaging, packaging, and ensuring data accuracy, under the Conservation and Research Department.

Qualifications

• Equivalency statement allows 1 year of higher education for 1 year of related work experience.
• Department may hire at Research Assistant I or II level.

Responsibilities

• Check seed bank contents in freezer against records and enter data into a spreadsheet.
• Prepare new seed collections for storage: count, viability tests, imaging, packaging, and ensure data accuracy.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

Higher education equivalency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, serves as the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills above the University of Utah campus, Red Butte Garden includes over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of natural area trails. The Garden is nationally recognized for its diverse plant collections, seasonal floral displays, outdoor concert series, private event spaces, and award winning horticultural education programs. This position within the Conservation and Research Department at Red Butte Garden involves supporting staff in updating and maintaining the conservation seed bank database, as well as assisting with additional laboratory activities related to seed bank maintenance and preservation.

Responsibilities

• Checking seed bank contents in the freezer against existing seed collection records and entering accurate data into a spreadsheet.
• Preparing new seed collections for storage, including counting, testing for viability, imaging, packaging, and ensuring data records are accurate and complete.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

• Research Assistant, I: Requires little to no related experience.
• Research Assistant, II: Requires at least 1 year of related experience.

This job posting is only available to University of Utah students who have been awarded a Federal Work-Study Award for the current year. Please login to CIS and go to the Finance/Financial Aid section to view your Financial Aid Status. If you have not received a Federal Work-Study Award, then do not complete and submit this application. Before hire, this employer will confirm that you have received a Federal Work-Study Award for the current year.

Preferences

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Care and attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Familiarity with basic botany, plant ecology, Utah flora

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN17576N

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Work Schedule Summary: Hours are flexible but should be regular and within normal workday hours.

Department: 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $16.50/hourly

Close Date: 12/31/2026

Open Until Filled