The position encompasses two neighboring facilities, the Luthy Botanical Garden and the Peoria Zoo. It involves directing design, planning, construction, and maintenance of the botanical garden and zoo facilities, relating to landscaping and custodial duties, supervising horticulture and custodial departments as well as various contractors.

Established in 1951 and spread over 5+ acres in Glen Oak Park, Luthy Botanical Garden is home to a tropical conservatory, a dozen theme gardens/borders and offers educational programs, numerous events, and magnificent floral displays. Surround yourself with spectacular displays of spring blooming bulbs or the blazing color of autumn, the Garden offers a tranquil setting to enjoy the beauty of each passing season.  While the Peoria Zoo as one of the great facilities available to people of all ages who live, work, or play in Peoria. The Zoo is home to unique animals from all over the world and is open to the public 360 days a year. The Zoo offers many classes and tours and is a great place to host birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events.

We are part of oldest park district in Illinois, established in 1894. The Peoria Park District encompasses nearly 60 square miles, and the value we provide to the community can be found in the ease of access to our parks and recreational programs. We are proud to be able to provide access to the great outdoors through our parks system and nature centers that host more than fifty miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Peoria.

Our variety of events and facilities throughout our community will keep you engaged and active. Glen Oak Park is home to the Peoria Zoo, Luthy Botanical Garden and the Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum.  Throughout the District, we host all kinds of sports including softball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and more while Owens Center offers ice skating year-round!  Annually, hundreds of concerts, festivals and special events are featured on the Peoria Riverfront and in our parks, in addition to fun activities at Franciscan, Lakeview, Logan and Proctor Recreation Centers. And, of course, the RiverPlex, our state of the art, medically based fitness center focuses on healthy and active lifestyles.

The Peoria Park District… there’s more to explore!

Under the supervision of the Director of the Peoria Zoo & Luthy Botanical Garden, the Curator of Horticulture, Grounds, and Environmental Services is responsible for the following duties:

• Direct the design, planning, construction, and maintenance of the botanical garden and zoo facilities relating to landscaping and custodial duties. This includes supervising the horticulture and custodial departments as well as various contractors.
• Developing and monitoring budgets and long-range plans for the botanical gardens and zoo horticulture.
• Manage departmental personnel to include supervision, recruitment, retention, training, development, commendation, and disciplinary action.
• Interacting regularly with other district departments and assists them in achieving their goals.
• Manage and operate the Luthy Botanical Gardens and the Peoria Zoo grounds and supervise all aspects of staff.
• Prepare the department’s annual budget for submission to the Director of the Peoria Zoo and Luthy Botanical Garden and manage operations within the approved budget.
• Plan, prepare, and install plant and flower displays within the Zoo & Botanical Garden.
• Oversee the browse program and educate all staff on browse identification and toxic plants.
• Oversee botanical conservation projects.
• Participate in the design and execution of landscape projects from construction documents or landscape design documents.
• Develop and implement long-range and short-term plans by setting goals, establishing priorities, organizing collections, and designing landscapes in botanical displays and animal exhibits.
• Maintain knowledge of horticulture design based on exhibit and/or animal needs within AZA accreditation standards.
• Maintain knowledge of plant identification, growth and culture, propagation skills, greenhouse management, forestry, tree protection, irrigation principles, and integrated pest management.
• Develop and improve the horticulture facilities by establishing programs on the production and growing of plants; collect and organize information regarding plants; seek methods of efficiency improvement in all areas.
• Consulting and advising on horticulture needs throughout the Park District as requested.
• Seeking out and utilizing the most current and best practices within the Green Industry.
• Planning and coordinating special events, exhibitions, and programs in conjunction with the programming lead.
• Scheduling and supervising the proper application of pesticides; working towards chemical use reduction within an IPM program.
• Selecting, scheduling and supervising departmental staff, including part-time employees and volunteers.
• Working directly with area plant specialty clubs to promote harmonious and cooperative relations.
• Soliciting outside financial support.
• In coordination with the education department, provide guided tours for school groups and interested parties.
• Supervising maintenance of plant records, including accession records in ZIM’s Botanical program.
• Supervising and assisting in garden interpretation.
• Maintaining facilities and equipment at the botanical garden.
• In coordination with the events department, develop and implement special events, exhibits and programs to increase the zoo and garden’s market and generate financial support for the zoo and botanical gardens.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with Park District staff.
• Constantly encouraging greater utilization and visitation of the Garden within the community and out-of-town visitors.
• Follow all safety procedures that pertain to the duties performed and support all aspects of the Park District’s safety program.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Some physical exertion in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to handle and work around chemicals is required.
• Prolonged standing, bending, and stooping is required on a periodic basis.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds is required periodically.
• Ability to work flexible hours and days.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field required, Master’s degree preferred. Although a degree is preferred, experience in a similar position with similar duties may be substituted for all or part of the educational requirement.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years experience in landscape maintenance, greenhouse management, and landscape design is essential. Three (3) years of supervisory experience, including personnel management and facility management are required. Teaching experience, special events coordination, and volunteer management are desirable.

Knowledge and Ability:

• Thorough knowledge of landscape maintenance, greenhouse operation, and management.
• Advanced knowledge of tropical plants, woody landscape plants, herbaceous plants, roses, bulbs, turfgrass, and integrated pest management.
• Creative ability in planning and preparing artistic botanical displays.
• Ability to work cooperatively with representatives of community, public, and private groups and organizations to provide the best possible image of the Park District, Botanical Gardens, and Zoo.
• Basic knowledge of principles of interpretation.
• Extensive knowledge of facility operations, including scheduling, programming, and basic management procedures.
• Understanding of budgeting and maintenance with the ability to apply and interpret knowledge in practical situations related to facility operations and programs.
• Ability to train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate employees.
• Extensive knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) and the ability to obtain pesticide applicator’s license.
• Requires a valid Illinois State Driver’s License.
• Ability to effectively communicate in both speaking and writing.

Personal:

• Work record that shows reliability, initiative, tact, and resourcefulness.
• Ability to exhibit exceptional customer service and coach staff in this skill.
• Ability to work effectively and enthusiastically with volunteers.
• Ability to work with the public and fellow employees enthusiastically and cooperatively.
• Ability to be professional, respectful, accountable, innovative, to follow safety procedures, and be equitable to both internal and external customers.

Benefits and Perks:

• Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays.
• Longevity bonus program and wellness program.
• Pension and retirement programs and Social Security participating.
• Exceptional health plan.
• Paid Life Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Full-time employees and dependents enjoy discounted recreation classes and free admission to select Park District facilities.

Apply online: Peoria Zoo & Luthy Botanical Garden Curator of Horticulture, Grounds, & Environmental Services