Seed Botanist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 24, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes the Seed Botanist classes within the Department of Food and Agriculture.

Definition of Series

The Seed Botanist series describes professional positions involved in the identification of seeds, the viability of seeds, the identification of pathogens and/or diseases affecting seeds, and the detection of seeds of plants which may have an adverse effect on California agriculture.

Incumbents in these classes are assigned to the laboratory unit where they identify native and foreign seeds of both crop and weed plants; maintain information relative to seeds of injurious plants existing in California, other states, and foreign countries; perform seed germination and seed viability analyses and evaluations; perform applied and/or basic research related to seed diseases, taxonomy, or germination; develop new procedures for�germination or taxonomic identification; prepare reports of findings to be published in recognized scientific publications; develop and maintain reference collections of seeds (herbarium) and literature; train Federal, State, and county personnel in seed taxonomy and germination; and serve as consultants to county departments of agriculture, agribusiness, and the general public on seed problems.

The term "Research" as applied to this class series is characterized in part by the following attributes:

1. Application of the scientific method including definition of the nature and scope of the problem; development of hypotheses for study, design, and execution of experiments or investigations; analysis and interpretation of findings; and documentation and appropriate dissemination of results.

2. A requirement for the exercise of creativity and critical judgment in recognizing and selecting appropriate problems for study, in selecting or revising appropriate methods for study and analysis, and in interpreting results to achieve maximum understanding of and applicability to the problem.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically at the class of Seed Botanist.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level and variety of work assigned; independence of action; level of expertise in seed taxonomy, pathology, germination and corresponding economic impact, agricultural sensitivity, and complexity of area of expertise; degree of responsibility for policy formulation and implementation; and degree of supervision received and size of staff.

Definition of Levels

Seed Botanist

This is the entry and intermediate working level. At the entry level, incumbents become familiar with one of the specialty areas of seed taxonomy, pathology, or germination by performing a variety of the less responsible tasks. At the intermediate level, incumbents work under general supervision and perform work of average difficulty that does not include the complete range of varied or difficult assignments.

Associate Seed Botanist

This is the fully qualified journey level of this series. Incumbents perform highly specialized and complex analyses, evaluations, and research on an independent basis. Incumbents also use�laboratory, greenhouse, and test plot techniques to evaluate complex seed problems, maintain and catalogue specimens and current literature, and may supervise and train lower level Seed Botanists, support staff, and others.

Senior Seed Botanist (Specialist)

As a staff specialist, incumbents perform at the senior scientific level. Incumbents, under general administrative direction, are expected to maintain the highest level of expertise in the area of specialization. Incumbents also plan, organize, and conduct applied and/or basic research of a complex nature including seed taxonomy, pathology, and/or seedling physiology related to germination.

Senior Seed Botanist (Supervisor)

This is the supervisory level of the series. As a supervisor, incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the work of the seed laboratory; coordinating the work of the laboratory with other laboratories and agencies; providing training and assisting in evaluation of policies, rules, or regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Seed Botanist

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree or its equivalency from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section�94310.2 in Botany or a biological science including at least 20 units in the plant sciences. (Graduate students registered in a recognized college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation with the appropriate degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Associate Seed Botanist

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Seed Botanist.

Or II

Experience: Two years of experience conducting seed identification, germination, and/or research gained after obtaining a master's degree. and

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree or its equivalency from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section�94310.2 in Botany or a biological science including at least 20 units in the plant sciences.

Or III

Possession of a Doctoral Degree or its equivalency from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section�94310.2 in Botany or a biological science including at least 20 units in the plant sciences.

Senior Seed Botanist (Specialist)

Senior Seed Botanist (Supervisor)

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service as an Associate Seed Botanist.

Or II

Experience: Three years of experience conducting seed identification, germination, and research gained after obtaining a master's degree. and

Education: Possession of a master's degree or its equivalency from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section�94310.2 in a biological science including at�least 20 units in plant sciences.

Or III

Experience: One year of experience conducting seed identification, germination, and research gained after obtaining a doctoral degree. and

Education: Possession of a doctoral degree or its equivalency from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section�94310.2 in a biological science including at�least 20 units in plant sciences. (A maximum of five years of additional identification and research experience in seed taxonomy or seed germination may be substituted for the doctoral degree. Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must have been in the class of Associate Seed Botanist.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Seed Botanist

Knowledge of: General and systematic botany, seedling physiology; flora of California including the noxious weeds, the relationship of plants and plant pests to agriculture and the environment; laboratory and curatorial techniques and methods; various literature sources pertaining to botany in general, and seed botany in particular; and methods, materials, and equipment used in seed botany; principles and procedures of research planning, design, methodology, and analysis; methods of preparation of research reports; statistical methods and procedures; data processing techniques; problems involved in bibliographic survey of previous related research; and determination and qualification of variables and mechanization of compilation of analysis of data.

Ability to: Use plant manuals and keys; use techniques of mounting and preserving plants; perform germination tests; identify seeds of both crop and weed plants; identify plants; utilize and effectively apply required knowledge and skills; keep accurate records and issue reports and identify seeds of increasing complexity; correctly evaluate increasingly complex physiological seed problems.

Associate Seed Botanist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and a very high degree of knowledge of the taxonomy, morphology, and germination physiology of seeds of native and exotic cultivated plants and weed pests.

Ability to: All of the above, and make special studies on seed problems, evaluate results, interpret findings and make written or oral reports on findings; perform highly complex and specialized analyses of seed taxonomic and seed viability problems; conduct training workshops; apply and interpret provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code and applicable rules and regulations; train technicians and other personnel in associated tasks.

Senior Seed Botanist (Specialist)

Knowledge of: All of the above.

Ability to: All of the above, and make special studies on seed problems, evaluate results, interpret findings and make written or oral reports on findings; conduct training workshops on seed analyst work.

Senior Seed Botanist (Supervisor)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of public administration, including personnel management and supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize and direct the work of a small group of Seed Botanists, technicians, and seasonal helpers in the seed laboratory; coordinate the work of this unit with other units or agencies; participate in program development and evaluation; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Physical Requirements

All Levels:

Manual dexterity.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

All Levels:

In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will�be given to those applicants possessing in-depth knowledge of seed taxonomy and germination. A record demonstrating expertise in this specialty, including publication of scientific papers, oral presentations at�professional meetings, participation in seminars, etc., over and above that required in the "Minimum Qualifications" will be given additional consideration.

Class History