Coordinator, Semillas Compartidas (Shared Seeds) Initiative

Overview

Application Deadline : October 7, 2025

Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Coordinator, Semillas Compartidas Initiative to join our Forest Restoration team.

What You'll Do

As a part of the team, you will be responsible for developing our thornforest seed banking efforts in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. This individual will advance conservation of an imperiled ecosystem through day-to-day field and nursery-based activities. Major responsibilities include :

Seed Collection and Banking (70%)

• Alongside Manager, Semillas Compartidas Initiative, develop a dependable source of wild-collected seeds from over 30 subtropical thornforest species used in restoration of national wildlife refuge lands in South Texas.
• Completion of plant phenology monitoring and wild seed collection activities throughout the year at remote field sites using various harvest methods.
• Completion of nursery-based seed processing and banking activities using various methods of cleaning, drying, weighing and sealing.
• Completion of viability and germination testing among stored seed lots as needed.
• Data entry and transcription of collected and processed seed totals using apps and other software.
• Coordinate logistics of daily / weekly / monthly field collection site visits, processing & seed storage activities.
• Assist in drafting summaries of seed inventory and other reporting on a regular basis.
• Facilitate field collection / nursery seed bank interactions with agency staff, private nursery growers, landowners, researchers and other partners.
• Coordinate seed collection and banking assistance opportunities with students, citizen scientists, Texas Master Naturalist chapters, youth organizations and others as needed.
• Ensure performance of all tasks in accordance with safety policies (federal and organizational), including use of facilities and equipment safely and respectfully.

Nursery Seedling Production and Facilities Maintenance (20%)

Other Duties (10%)

What We're Looking For

We don't expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We're interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

Reporting and Supervision

The Semillas Compartidas Coordinator reports to the Semillas Compartidas Manager. This position will work closely with other members of the Forest Restoration team. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Working Conditions

This position is based at the USFWS Marinoff Nursery Facility located south of Pharr, TX and will require residence in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, or Willacy County. American Forests is headquartered in Washington DC and occasional travel to DC may be necessary.

Normal work hours will take place from approximately 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, with the additional expectation of a rotating assignment to weekend seedling care activities as seasonally necessary.

American Forests will provide a shared office space as appropriate at the Marinoff Nursery for daily use. For field-based seed collection, personal vehicle use will be required with mileage reimbursement made by American Forests.

Work will be performed in a combination of seed collection field site (~50%) and nursery facility settings (~50%). The nursery facilities include both open-air sheds and outdoor areas. Exposure to hot, cold, and wet conditions is expected in outdoor areas of the nursery facility. Exposure to these conditions along with dense vegetation, thorns, ticks, snakes, and mosquitos is expected at seed collection field sites. The ability to lift up to 50lbs may be required.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position. The budgeted range is between $20-$23 per hour. Our benefits package includes :

Core Competencies

Attitude

About the Program

Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is an ecological convergence of coastal, desert, and tropical influences amidst a vibrant fronterra community of more than 2.5 million residents on the US-Mexico border. The Valley's native subtropical thornforests are one of the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems in North America with over 300 butterfly species and over 500 bird species. More than 90% of this habitat has been lost in the past century. American Forests has partnered with USFWS for 25 years to replant seedlings on national wildlife refuge lands and to advance restoration through the Thornforest Conservation Partnership (TCP) and related initiatives.

American Forests' footprint in South Texas includes turnkey restoration on public lands, seed collection from 30+ species, environmental literacy programming for underserved residents and community forest development with local governments.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests. We envision a world where the environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Minority / Female / Disabled / Veteran / LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply. In accordance with federal law and USDA civil rights regulations, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or reprisal for prior civil rights activity. For more information, contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 or the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Program information is also available in languages other than English.

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