PLANT FORM SPECIALIST FOR AGAVE AND ALOE

Description

Management of the health, care, and cultivation of the Garden’s nationally accredited Agave collection including non-cactus succulents with the goal of achieving the highest level of horticultural excellence in a public garden and in alignment with the Garden’s Living Collections policy and plan.

Essential Duties

• Oversee and provide continuous specialized care of the Garden’s agave, non-cactus succulent collection held in greenhouses and shade houses; provide reports and updates regarding the health of the collection with proposed solutions and strategies for long-term success.
• Write, and keep current, best practice standards for the horticultural care of the collection; actively implement those standards, and advise other members of the horticulture department (staff/volunteers) who are directly responsible for their implementation.
• Serve as expert consultant for Trail Horticulturist team on the care and health of cactus specimens within their specific areas of responsibility.
• Complete all records, inventory, and documentation required for living collections curation, evaluations and assessments in alignment with the Garden’s Living Collections Management Policy and Plan.
• Coordinate with Senior Director of Horticulture in the management of the horticulture facilities to ensure best practices are followed (e.g. for plant care, IPM).
• Coordinate with Senior Director and Living Collections Curator in the acquisition and propagation of collection plants, including field collection trips.
• Provide expertise in the planning, design, and installation for Garden exhibits with agave and non-cactus succulent specimens, and oversight for plant salvage and re-purposing during Garden renovation and construction projects.
• Train and supervise volunteers working with the agave / non-cactus succulent collection.
• Teaches and serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for the Garden’s Desert Landscape School in coordination with the Assistant Director for Public Horticulture. 
• Provide support for departmental activities including, plant sales, trail / display installations and collecting trips.
• Continue professional education and participation in professional organizations.
• Other duties as assigned.  

Pay range: $54,500 to $68,100 annually

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in horticulture, botany, life sciences, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Recognized subject matter expert (SME) of the agave family including propagation and plant diagnostics.

3. Experience working in and with fully automated greenhouses and shade houses.

4. Exceptional time management, communication, and organizational skills.

5. The ability to solve problems using discretion and good judgment, high levels of personal motivation.

6. Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed.

7. Valid driver’s license for cart training and use.

Equipment Used

Typical office equipment. This role will also use small hand tools (loppers, pruners, pick axe, shovels, sharp shooter, etc.) and some power tools for landscaping maintenance and care.

Internal Communication

Regular communication with Garden staff and volunteers.

External Communication

Communication with media, growers, botanical garden colleagues, professional associations and Plant Sale customers.

Working Conditions

Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 30 pounds required. Majority of daily work tasks occur outside year- round including summer months.  The Horticulture department implements a summer schedule to support the safety and well-being of staff working outside. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it.

Salary : $54,500 - $68,100