PLANT FORMS SPECIALIST – TREES AND SHRUBS

Job Description

Position Purpose
Management of the health, care and cultivation of the Garden’s living collection of trees and shrubs within the Hazel Hare Center of Plant Science and the Garden proper with the goal of achieving the highest level of excellence in alignment with the Garden’s Living Collections policy.

Essential Duties
• Oversee and provide continuous specialized care of the Garden’s tree and shrub collections held primarily in the Garden displays and exhibits areas; provide reports and updates regarding the health of the tree and shrub collection with proposed solutions and strategies for long-term success.
• Write, and keep current, best practice standards for the horticultural care of the tree and shrub 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 horticulturists on the care and health of tree and shrub 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 Policy and Plan.
• Coordinate with Senior Director of Horticulture and Living Collections Manager in the acquisition and propagation of collection plants, including field collecting trips.
• Provide expertise in the planning, design and installation for Garden display and exhibits with tree/shrub specimens, and oversight for tree/shrub salvage and re-purposing during Garden renovation and construction projects.
• Teaches and serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for selected classes and content for the Garden’s Desert Landscape School in coordination with the Assistant Director for Public Horticulture.
• Provide support for departmental activities including plant sales, exhibit and display installations and collecting trips.
• Continue professional education and participation in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Horticulture.

About Us

Desert Botanical Garden is a living museum of over 50,000 plants representing more than 4,000 different species. Complementary to our diverse plant species, our workforce consists of staff members of different ethnicities, genders, colors, ages, races, religions, abilities, national origins, gender identities and sexual orientations. Desert Botanical Garden strives to give respect and value to cultural and individual differences that allow our employees to be successful by embracing inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA). Desert Botanical Garden ensures IDEA by providing an environment in which everyone feels welcome, engaged and valued. Our goal is to represent the community we serve by embedding inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility throughout Desert Botanical Garden.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, life sciences or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of current industry technologies and best practices in plant curation, propagation and growing environments.
• Exceptional time management, communication and organizational skills.
• The ability to solve problems using discretion and good judgment, high levels of personal motivation.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed.
• Valid driver’s license for cart training and use.

Equipment Used

Typical office equipment. This role will 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 department and Garden staff.

External Communication

Communication with media, growers, botanical garden colleagues, professional associations.

Working Conditions

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time (either sitting or standing outside). The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office and outside in the Garden. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery and tools outside in the Garden. Not constant use of a computer. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service trees and shrubs. Frequently lifts up to 60 pounds across the Garden. Regularly works around moving mechanical parts and in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity. Noise level may be loud at times. Must be able to move objects and use abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue. Constant movement and use of limbs; this position requires good manual dexterity, coordination and stamina.

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.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.

Application Instructions

PLEASE APPLY HERE: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/2047479