Landscape Curator

Job Description

Job Summary

Serve as a high profile, public member of the Botanic Garden’s leadership team. Supervise the outdoor horticulture team of gardeners and arborists. Ensure that curation of the plant collections in the Smith College landscape (gardens and arboretum) are rooted in the appropriate policies, priorities and frameworks. Actively support the botanic garden-wide efforts to foster environmental and social justice through teaching and learning about plants, people and place, paying particular attention to meeting the unique needs of students who are historically underrepresented in public horticulture and higher education. Communicate with campus leaders regarding impacts, improvements, and repairs that affect the gardens and arboretum. Manage the physical infrastructure needed for landscape care. Grow and prepare plant material for academic use, research, educational programing, and events. Coordinate activities of supporting gardeners, interns, work study students, and volunteers in order to maintain a safe, diverse, impactful landscape. Advance botanic garden’s conservation collections building and restorative justice initiatives. Facilitate researcher and educator access to collection materials, associated information, and relevant expertise.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Curation (30%)

• Work with the curatorial team to rationalize, revise, and/or implement the Collections Policy, Landscape Management Plan, and Racial Justice Action Plan.
• Develop protocols and collection standards that align with the Botanic Garden’s mission, initiatives, Strategic Plan, Landscape Management Plan and Racial Justice Action Plan.
• Coordinate with the Manager of Living Collections and Manager of Education to ensure that collections records and interpretation address botanic garden priorities.
• Develop and implement a long-term vision and plan for the maintenance, maturation, and succession of gardens and specimen trees.
• Assist students, faculty and other botanic garden partners wishing to use the collections for research, teaching, and/or conservation.

Landscape Operations (30%)

• Monitor, guide, and advise facilities managers, architects, and construction firms on projects that impact gardens and specimen trees.
• Implement strategic changes to and maintain condition of physical infrastructure, equipment, and tools so as to ensure efficient and timely collection care and maintenance.
• Coordinate the use of greenhouses and nursery areas.
• Create and implement operational procedures and project priorities.
• Ensure that Botanic Garden staff are performing their jobs in an effective, legal, and safe manner.
• Serve as a public figure, interacting with the public as an educator, garden spokesperson, and project manager.

Landscape Management (30%)

• Oversee and guide the maintenance of gardens, landscapes, and specimen trees including installations and removals, garden beautification, tree pruning, risk management, and invasive species removal. Work with Chief Arborist to implement the Tree Risk Management Plan and revise it as needed.
• Supervise, coordinate, and guide the daily operations of gardeners, arborists, interns, and work study students in the outdoor landscape plantings in order to maintain a high standard of beauty, educational value, while actively fostering and an inclusive and equitable work climate.
• Determine pest control procedures and enact them solely or with staff support in a legal, safe, and timely manner that is compliant with all applicable environmental laws.
• Assist with purchasing, budgeting, and spending prioritization.

Student Mentorship and Audience Engagement 10%

• Provide direct aid and mentorship scholars and student partner in botanic garden spaces through curricular support, consultation, work-study, internship support, tours , and guest lectures.
• Serve as a primary coordinator of the Conservation Internship in consultation with the Director

Other Functions

All employees are expected to participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Bachelor’s Degree in botany, arboriculture, horticulture, or a related field with three years of relevant experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in public horticulture.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in horticultural work.
• Must obtain an arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification at first opportunity once eligible.
• Massachusetts Pesticide Private Certification or equivalent required within 12 months from hire date.
• Physical ability (strength and coordination) to perform all tasks, including lifting up to 40 pounds, moving heavier material with assistance, knowledge of and capacity to perform aerial tree work, including an aerial rescue in accordance with ANSI Z133 Standard within 12 months of hire.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Application Instructions

Apply online: https://smithcollege.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/smithcollege/job/Smith-College/Landscape-Curator_R-202400594