Lecturer, Landscape Horticulture​/Arboretum Manager

Position: 12 month Full Time Lecturer, Landscape Horticulture/Arboretum Manager

The Plant Sciences Department (PLSC) Within The College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences (CAFES) At Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA Invites Applications For a Full Time, 12-month Lecturer Position For The 2026-27 Year. Under The General Supervision Of The PLSC Department Head, The Position Involves

• Teaching: courses related to design, propagation, installation, and maintenance of plantscapes outdoors and indoors. Other courses deemed appropriate to the expertise of the individual and needs of the department.
• Curriculum development: as the campus converts from the quarter to semester system there will an opportunity for the position to develop courses that are relevant to sustainable landscaping and arboretum activities.
• Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum management:
  In consultation with Department Head of Plant Sciences and the CAFES Dean, the position will work independently and will assume responsibility for the wide diversity of tasks and daily operation of the Leaning Pine Arboretum including ensuring the Leaning Pine Arboretum and all associated operations are running smoothly, efficiently, and safely, coordinating and overseeing support technicians and students, and working directly with faculty to facilitate specific instructional and pertinent research activities.
• Faculty advisor: the position will be an advisor to the FFA State Finals Nursery and Landscape competition, the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) team or other student extracurricular landscape activities as needed.
• Establish an active relationship with other university faculty and researchers, leaders in the landscape industry, students, and the general public to provide information and leadership related to landscape horticulture.
• In addition, candidates should be able to provide practical experience and individualized student-learning opportunities such as experiential classes, undergraduate and graduate research projects.

The successful candidate will also serve as the liaison for the Leaning Pine Arboretum with the on-campus and off-campus community. This position will serve as public educator and an ambassador for the Leaning Pine Arboretum in a wide variety of public settings, support and represent the Leaning Pine Arboretum’s advocacy and community engagement work as needed in public forums, committees, and related settings.

Further, this position will create and implement an annual fundraising plan and tracking system to diversify, renew and increase contributions. In coordination with faculty, support labs and activities for instructional needs of PLSC and other departments such as Biological Sciences and Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences that are associated with the Leaning Pine Arboretum.

Duties May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Oversight of student employees.
• Assist in following all federal and state regulations and university policy.
• Assist in the record maintenance associated with the operations of the Leaning Pine Arboretum.
• Service activities will include participation on department, college, and university committees and instructionally related activities.

Education

Initial rank and salary for 12-month lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:

Lecturer A: $6,288-7,658

Lecturer B: $7,127–$15,211

Lecturer C: $7,830–$16,697

Lecturer D: $9,883–$17,490

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their…