Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Manager

Los Angeles Community College District•Los Angeles, CA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Plans, supervises, coordinates, and participates in the business operations and maintenance of the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Los Angeles Pierce College, including venue rental operations and special events, fundraising, and instructional support services for the academic programs.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with a major in horticulture, plant sciences, or a related field AND one year of full-time, paid experience in coordinating the operations of a botanical garden, arboretum, or nursery.
OR An associate degree from a recognized college or university with a major in horticulture, plant sciences, or a related field AND three years of full-time, paid experience in coordinating the operations of a botanical garden, arboretum, or nursery.
Knowledge of: Characteristics and methods of plant identification, propagation of arboretum and botanical garden plants, especially those common to California
Plant cultivation and care, including disease and pest management
Landscape design, implementation, and maintenance of botanical gardens
Plant ecology and conservation
Principles of community relations, promotion, publicity, marketing and advertising, event planning and coordination, and fundraising
Health and safety precautions, practices, and procedures related to horticultural equipment and hazardous materials including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides
Maintenance and operation of arboretum and botanical garden tools and equipment
Principles of supervision and training
Basic principles of budget preparation and maintenance
Organization and management of records
Capabilities of computer equipment and systems, software, and hardware
Ability to: Manage daily operations of an arboretum and botanical garden including maintenance, plant selection and landscape design
Plan, organize, and direct the business activities of an arboretum and botanical garden
Develop financially sustainable plans for arboretum and botanical garden operations and make recommendations on improvements
Coordinate and promote arboretum and botanical gardens facilities and events
Interpret and apply rules and regulations related to arboretum and botanical garden operations
Supervise, coordinate, and schedule the work of assigned staff
Train others in arboretum and botanical garden operations related activities
Effectively communicate orally and in writing
Establish and cooperative relationships with a diverse pool of administrators, faculty, staff, students, vendors, donors, and the community
Assess situations correctly and take effective action
Evaluate work methods and performance
Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet schedules
Maintain high levels of customer service and satisfaction
Safely operate related tools and equipment
Prepare accurate reports, presentations, and maintain records
Give clear and concise instructions
Effectively utilize computer equipment
Learn specialized computer applications

Nice To Haves

A valid California Class “C” driver’s license.
Travel to locations throughout the District may be required.
A valid California Class “A” driver’s license may be required within 60 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Supervises and participates in daily arboretum and botanical garden operations which include: Acquisition, propagation, identification, and presentation of arboretum and botanical garden plants collections, including rare and endangered species.
Operation and maintenance of facilities, irrigation systems, and related tools and equipment.
Plans, coordinates, supervises, and participates in the set-up and use of arboretum and botanical garden facilities for special events, tours, and film crews.
Promotes activities which involve developing publicity and marketing materials to promote the use of arboretum and botanical garden facilities in publications such as newsletters, brochures, posters, college websites, and social media.
Develops long-term and short-term financially sustainable plans for the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and recommends changes and improvements in operations, staffing, facilities, and equipment.
Coordinates fundraising events and maintains strong relations with donors, and members of the public to generate financial support for the gardens.
Consults with prospective internal and external clients regarding the costs, terms, and conditions associated with the use of arboretum and botanical garden facilities and prepares applicable agreements.
Develops and implements work methods and procedures of all phases of arboretum and botanical garden operations including venue rental operations, special events, instructional support services for the academic programs, and plant identification and propagation.
Collaborates with the academic staff on the development of new instructional programs and supporting the needs of existing programs.
Coordinates the activities of students participating in arboretum and botanical garden operations as part of their educational program.
Develops and implements plant conservation strategies including monitoring plant health and diversity to address issues related to pests, diseases, and environmental factors.
Organizes, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of assigned arboretum and botanical garden staff.
Conducts orientation and training sessions for staff, students, and volunteers assigned to the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Periodically inspects arboretum and botanical garden buildings, grounds, pathways, irrigation systems, and equipment to identify safety hazards and maintenance problems and initiates immediate or preventative maintenance measures.
Implements security measures to prevent theft and vandalism.
Ensures that the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are aesthetically presentable for potential clients, visitors, and students.
Develops annual and special event budgets and makes requisitions for arboretum and botanical garden supplies and equipment as needed.
Prepares correspondence and maintains records and production reports on arboretum and botanical garden activities and issues fiscal reports on arboretum and botanical garden activities and budget expenditures on a regular basis.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance and vision care plans are provided for employees and their dependents.
A $50,000 life insurance policy is provided free of charge for each employee.
New employees receive 12 full-pay days and 88 half-pay days of illness leave.
19 paid holidays per year.
Vacation days accrue annually beginning at 10 days and increasing incrementally to 24 days depending on years of service with the District.
Vacation days for management and confidential positions begin at 15, 20, or 24 days.
Other paid time off includes: bereavement leave, personal necessity leave, court subpoena, and jury duty.
Employees become members of the Public Employees Retirement System.
Employees are also covered by Social Security.
Employee Assistance Program