Specialist, Horticulture, Temporary

The South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation Inc is hiring a temporary Horticulture Specialist to maintain plant collections and engage with visitors. The role requires outdoor work in various weather conditions, providing exceptional customer service, and ensuring high-quality plant exhibits. Candidates should have gardening knowledge, strong communication skills, and a passion for nature. The position involves working weekends, evenings, and holidays.
South Coast Botanic Garden (SCBG) is a thriving destination for visitors to discover the rejuvenating powers of nature. Determined to provide access to nature to the widest possible audience, the Garden has expanded its services and hosted more visitors than ever before through exhibits and collection upgrades. With the unveiling of the stunning Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden, a show-stopping 400-square foot Living Wall, and the arrival of Hide and Seek, a long-term exhibit of eight remarkable large-scale works of fine art sculpture, the Garden has significantly elevated its presentation of ornamental horticulture. There is even more excitement to come, with a long-range Vision Plan that will reimagine the entire guest experience, including the creation of a 3.5-acre Marilyn and John Long Children and Family Garden scheduled for completion by the end of this year. There has never been a better time to join this dynamic team.

POSITION TITLE
Horticulture Specialist, Temporary

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
Reports to Manager, Horticulture and Plant Exhibits and Director, Living Collections

JOB SUMMARY:
The Horticulture Specialist maintains and cares for South Coast Botanic Garden's permanent collections and seasonal plant exhibition spaces while engaging with visitors to address questions about the collections and exhibits. This is a fast-paced, evolving environment, and we seek a candidate eager to help our Garden continue its journey as a place to connect all to the wonders of nature. The job requires working primarily outdoors during early mornings, weekends and some holidays in various weather conditions. Attention to detail, plant and gardening knowledge and teamwork are desired attributes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Daily assessment and improvement of plant exhibit and permanent collection spaces to ensure visitors have a high-quality experience include, but are not limited to:
• Responsible for dedicated plant spaces (e.g., Rose Garden, Pollination Garden, Nursery, etc.) ensuring that the spaces are pristine and plant exhibits and permanent collections are well maintained, safely accessible and engaging for all guests
• Maintain and care for plant material including but not limited to weeding, watering and pruning
• Deliver exceptional customer service by providing visitors with insightful information, highlighting key points of interest, and answering questions about plant exhibits and permanent collections to enhance their overall experience
• Responsible for inventory, ordering and maintenance of tools, equipment and supplies
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for staff and visitors and consistently demonstrate safe work conduct
• Drive gator or golf carts throughout the Garden to access the plant exhibits and permanent collections
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings and holidays in an indoor and outdoor environment in various weather conditions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; must be able to communicate clearly on written documents
• Must act with integrity and possess the ability to carry oneself with a professional demeanor and decorum in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Curiosity and love of nature, eagerness to learn and to share their excitement with others about the plant exhibits and permanent collections
• Ability to organize and manage multiple time-sensitive tasks/priorities simultaneously
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail without losing sight of the Garden's mission and vision
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Suite or similar programs preferred
• Ability to stand, walk and bend for consecutive hours at a time
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma or GED required
• One to three years of experience in customer service
• Minimum of one year of experience working in public gardens and/or similar institutions/organizations preferred
• Experience working in horticulture preferred; experience in education, interpretation, museum studies, curation, science, communication, botany and/or similar fields is also desirable
• Must have a current, valid Driver License

Position is temporary (full-time or part-time), non-exempt. Pay for this position is $20/hour. Must be available early mornings on weekdays and at least one weekend day, occasionally evenings (for programming) and some holidays. Please submit your cover letter, resume and complete application to apply. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2025.

The Foundation is dedicated to a practice of diversity, inclusion, access and equity for all employees and visitors.