The mission of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) is to protect and restore prairie and other native grassland communities through land acquisition, management, education, and research; to promote the use of native plants through its Grow Native! program; and to support the control of invasive plants through its administration of the Missouri Invasive Plant Council. MPF carries out its mission by:
- Acquiring and managing original prairies and restoring or reconstructing other properties to native grasslands;
- Organizing a variety of outreach and educational activities;
- Supporting prairie research; and
- Supporting grassland wildlife-friendly land use policies and state, regional, and national conservation initiatives.
To help MPF and its Grow Native! program carry out its mission, the organization seeks a responsible, trustworthy self-starter for part-time employment who enjoys a fast-paced work environment, attention to detail, and working as part of a motivated, congenial team.
Overview
Quarter- to half-time (up to 10-20 hours per week) hourly position, the duties of which involve providing clerical and administrative assistance to MPF and Grow Native! operations in support of MPF’s mission.
Location, Supervision, Travel, Flextime
Work from a home office in Columbia, Missouri. This position will be directly supervised by MPF’s Director of Operations, and work collaboratively with other MPF staff, contractors, board members, and volunteers. Some travel around the Columbia area is required, including to the organization’s storage unit, downtown post office, and other locations. Hours are flexible, but work must be completed regularly during normal business hours and by internal deadlines. Position may occasionally involve work on weekends and evenings. MPF staff members utilize flextime and are encouraged to expend “banked” hours. Computer, printer, scanner, and other essential office equipment will be provided.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Receive and distribute MPF postal mail from Columbia P.O. box regularly, including scanning and filing mail electronically and delivering hard copies of mail to supervisor or designee at least once per week
- Mail outreach and membership materials and maintain up-to-date records of materials requests in MPF electronic cloud storage
- Organize and maintain electronic inventory for office materials, outreach materials, and MPF/Grow Native! merchandise and maintain physical inventory in MPF storage unit in Columbia
- Carry out various administrative and clerical tasks, such as creating name tags for events, printing and mailing letters and invitations, tracking supplies and inventory, and similar duties as needed and assigned
- Aid in management of MPF’s Square store and fulfill and mail MPF/Grow Native! Gift Shop orders
- Occasionally assist with organizing and staffing MPF events, such as the Annual Dinner and Grow Native! conference
- Complete time sheets and work reports on schedule determined by supervisor
- Other duties as needed and assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree, or high school diploma and/or associate’s degree with at least 3 years of equivalent work experience. Education, training, and/or work or volunteer experience in an clerical/administrative role in a non-profit context is preferred. Familiarity with biology, horticulture, conservation, environmental science, or natural resources is a plus.
Other Qualifications
Must have exceptional attention to detail and maintain a high level of organization. Must be able to monitor and track email, app-based, and other communications and communicate clearly and professionally in electronic format and in person. Must be proficient in, or willing to learn, Google Drive and Square and be willing to learn other apps/software as needed to complete job duties. Must be comfortable with office technology. Must have proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.). Must have ability and means to travel locally around Columbia as needed. Must have the ability to lift objects up to 35 lbs in the normal course of completing job requirements. Must be willing to store a quantity of office supplies, literature, and merchandise in home office.
Core Competencies
- Accept all responsibilities of the job and assigned tasks
- Accept change and new information, and carry out agreed-upon plans
- Work independently with self-motivation
- Define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem
- Develop and sustain cooperative working relationships with willingness to communicate concerns
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility
- Create and sustain an atmosphere in which timely, quality information flows between self and others, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner whether one-on-one or within or before groups
- Take a long-term view of the MPF and Grow Native!’s direction and articulate a vision that integrates key program goals, priorities, values, and other factors
- Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance and document work
- Must be bondable
Pay and Benefits
$20/hour. This part-time position is not eligible for benefits unless otherwise specified in the MPF Employee Handbook.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter and copy of your resume/CV, including three professional references, to moprairieops@gmail.com. Application period closes June 16, 2025.
Please direct questions about this position to moprairieops@gmail.com.
