12 month Full Time Lecturer, Landscape Horticulture/Arboretum Manager

Cal Poly•San Luis, CA

34d•$6,288 - $17,490•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

B.S. in the area of Plant Sciences such as horticulture, arboriculture, plant ecology, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, or related discipline.
Demonstrated increasing responsibility in arboretum management including planning, reporting, planting, maintenance and personnel supervision.
Demonstrated academic excellence in the area of plant science, effective communication, and interpersonal skills such as providing feedback to students in a timely and educationally effective manner.
Ability to be a productive team player and to interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public is essential.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to set priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, the Internet, as well as online calendaring and email.
Demonstrated leadership skills, sound judgement, management, organizational and decision-making skills, strategic thinker, motivator, collaborative management style and self-directed.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various backgrounds.
Experience working with varied populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, equitable, and inclusive learning environment.
Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in the area of plant sciences
Teaching experience in plant sciences
Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude
Proven supervisory skills in recruiting and coaching staff, students, and volunteers
Direct experience in planning and managing fundraising events and programs
Experience with volunteers: overseeing recruitment, management, motivation and retention
Passionate about nature, horticulture, sustainability and conservation
Possession of ISA Certified Arborist license and CDPR Qualified Applicators Certificate
The ability to collaborate with faculty across the College and University is desirable.
Candidates who have international experience or the desire to cultivate international links are preferred.
Relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.

Responsibilities

Teaching courses related to design, propagation, installation, and maintenance of plantscapes outdoors and indoors.
Curriculum development relevant to sustainable landscaping and arboretum activities.
Managing the Leaning Pine Arboretum, ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe operations.
Coordinating and overseeing support technicians and students.
Working with faculty to facilitate instructional and research activities.
Advising the FFA State Finals Nursery and Landscape competition, the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) team or other student extracurricular landscape activities as needed.
Establishing relationships with university faculty, researchers, industry leaders, students, and the public.
Providing practical experience and individualized student-learning opportunities.
Serving as the liaison for the Leaning Pine Arboretum with the on-campus and off-campus community.
Serving as a public educator and ambassador for the Leaning Pine Arboretum.
Creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan and tracking system.
Supporting labs and activities for instructional needs of PLSC and other departments associated with the Leaning Pine Arboretum.
Oversight of student employees.
Assisting in following all federal and state regulations and university policy.
Assisting in the record maintenance associated with the operations of the Leaning Pine Arboretum.
Participating on department, college, and university committees and instructionally related activities.