Specialist, Horticulture

Job Details:

Job Location:

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274, Position Type:
Full Time, Salary Range: $21.00 - $23.00 Hourly, South Coast Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of formal garden collections and natural walking trails founded atop the most unlikely of beginnings – a sanitary landfill. Today, South Coast Botanic Garden (SCBG) stands as a testament to the regenerative power of nature and the possibilities for land reclamation as it continues to transition from landfill to landmark.

The stunning Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden is a signature experience, along with the show-stopping Living Wall, a long-term exhibit of eight remarkable large-scale works of fine art sculpture, a seasonal butterfly pavilion, annual public programs and rotating traveling exhibitions. Programs invite guests to interact with nature through music, craft, science and wellness activities. There is even more excitement to come, with the creation of a 3.5-acre Marilyn and John Long Children and Family Garden scheduled for completion in the coming years.

There has never been a better time to join this dynamic team!

SCBG fosters an environment where strategic focus and cultural health work hand-in-hand, ensuring alignment and resilience. The ideal candidate displays a grateful and positive outlook, wholeheartedly supports SCBG’s mission to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and has the grit necessary to grow SCBG. Candidates should be excited to embrace this framework to guide their work and actively collaborate on cross-functional projects that further the organization’s strategic goals.

Specialist, Horticulture

Reports to Manager, Horticulture and Plant Exhibits and Director, Living Collections

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.

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 to ensure the quality of the exhibit
• 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 used to maintain permanent, seasonal and traveling exhibits
• 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

• Excellent organizational skills and attention…