Collections and Education Specialist

Job Description

Responsible for professional, technical, and research work in the progressive identification, inventorying, and locational mapping of plants for collections, public display, and botanical education programs.

About Us

Pinecrest Gardens, formerly Parrot Jungle, is a 14-acre botanical garden located in the Village of Pinecrest, Florida. Parrot Jungle, founded in 1936 by Franz and Louise Scherr, grew to become a world-famous tourist attraction, one of the first in south Florida. The Village of Pinecrest purchased the property after Parrot Jungle vacated the site in 2002, and dedicated Pinecrest Gardens in 2003. Village leadership, intent on preserving the site, affirmed the historic nature of its gardens, plants, structures, and hardscapes, and initiated its development as a botanic garden.

Now a department within the Village of Pinecrest, the Gardens display exotic and native tropical plants, sinuous rock formations, and water features. The Gardens are listed on the National Historic Register and recognized for their significance by the Cultural Landscape Foundation. The design includes a tropical native hardwood hammock and Baldcypress slough, dry succulent gardens, palms, orchids, and diverse specimen plantings in a unique historic landscape and urban oasis. The Gardens’ horticultural history and identity are built upon the site’s interesting geology, subtle changes in elevation, and varied soils. The Gardens’ distinctive architecture, forested areas, aquatic features, theme gardens, dry gardens, and open vistas contribute to Pinecrest Gardens’ unique appearance.

Duties & Responsibilities

Identifies, inventories, and maps Garden plants to compile botanical and horticultural records for collections development and to assist in the compilation of educational curricula and materials.
Data collection: data entry, spreadsheet maintenance, and photography using a dedicated digital camera.
Plant identification and nomenclatural verification.
Manages and uses the plant collections database.
Manages and uses GIS mapping devices.
Manages and uses the plant labeling machine.
Generates and maintains accurate plant collection and display labels and signage.
Supports education and horticultural staff with information used in garden development and maintenance.
Prepares and submits applications for botanical designations and awards.
Supports, trains and supervises the activities of horticultural and educational volunteers.
Supports and monitors the work of contractors.
Supports and monitors local, state, and federal entities in conservation and exotic species identification and eradication efforts.
Researches, write and aggregates content for botanical and interpretive signs.
Maintains inventory of educational signage and initiates updates and maintenance as needed.
Liaises with professional organizations and database developers on regular basis.
Assists in post-hurricane landscape recovery efforts, especially data collection and documentation.
Assists the Curator, Horticulture Assistants, and other Gardens’ staff, as assigned.
Leads and assists Garden educational programming, including events.
Supports writing educational curriculum and lessons.
Maintains and updates educational materials.
Supports educational and private tour bookings and logistics.
Leads and organizes guided garden tours and educations adult programs.
Operates ticketing, customer information and data collection software.
Staffs programs and events during high season.
Attends collections and education related meetings and takes minutes when appropriate.
Performs upkeep and general maintenance of seasonal plant displays in the Learning Garden.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

A University degree from an accredited institution at the bachelor’s level or higher.
Familiarity with plant collections records and databases used in public and botanical gardens.
Broad and deep working knowledge of plants encountered in tropical gardens, i.e., the ability to identify living specimens and to recognize species that are common or uncommon in horticulture.

Additional Qualifications:

Knowledge of other public garden tropical plant collections, plant lists, nomenclatural sources, and professionals to be used to aid plant identification.
Good research skills.
Experience or interest leading programs and dealing with the public including youth.
Teaching or programmatic experience is desirable.
Previous public garden experience is desirable.
Familiarity with South Florida botanical and display gardens, nurseries, and the local horticultural community is desirable.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
Familiarity with use of a dedicated digital camera.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to perform several tasks at one time.
Ability to maintain a high level of organization.
Ability to prioritize duties and meet department goals and deadlines.
Ability to deal with sensitive matters and exercise discretion.
Ability to effectively work independently, exercise independent judgment, and maintain confidentiality and professionalism in the execution of duties.
Ability to get along with others and work effectively and courteously with fellow workers, officials, other agencies, and the public.

Additional Information

Salary
$49,316.80 – $76,440.00 Annually

Location
Pinecrest, FL 33156

Job Number
2025-0009

The Village of Pinecrest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Village of Pinecrest is a Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace.
The Village of Pinecrest participates in the E-Verify Program.

The Village provides a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees.

Application Instructions

Employer:
Village of Pinecrest
Address
12645 Pinecrest Parkway
Pinecrest, Florida, 33156

Phone:
(305) 234-2121

Website:
http://www.pinecrest-fl.gov