Collections Management Curator (18-month Contract)

Niagara Parks; Niagara Falls; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EFAP

Professional development

Discounts at Niagara Parks locations

Complimentary passes to Niagara Parks

Free entry to Niagara Parks venues

Reciprocal Program

Free WEGO transportation

Job summary

Niagara Parks seeks a detail‑oriented Collections Management Curator to lead plant living collections, herbarium curation, and library resources for the School of Horticulture. You will teach students, manage records, and contribute to curriculum development while ensuring safety and compliance.

You will document collections, use BG‑Base and AutoCAD for mapping, and mentor staff and students in horticultural practices, with an 18‑month contract in Niagara Falls, ON.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Horticulture or related field with botany/taxonomy coursework.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on collections management experience at a botanical garden or arboretum.
• Knowledge of botanical garden documentation procedures and BG-Base/AutoCAD usage.
• Excellent written and oral communication to teach and supervise students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Teach and mentor students in horticultural skills and leadership.
• Plan hands-on activities for groups up to 45 students.
• Document living collections and herbarium records; manage library resources.
• Assess student performance and ensure safety procedures.
• Maintain plant records and support mapping with BG-Base and AutoCAD.
• Oversee daily operations of plant records systems and inventory processes.

Skills

Teaching and mentorship

Strong communication

Organization skills

Project management

Research and analysis

Botany knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in Biology or Horticulture (with botany/taxonomy/systematics coursework)

Tools

BG-Base

AutoCAD

Job description

Collections Management Curator (18-month Contract)

Seasonal - Contract - No Benefits Maintenance Centre

11 days ago Requisition ID: 1254

Job ID: 2026-47
Job Type:Fixed Term Contract
Job Status:Open Vacancy
Location:Niagara Falls, ON (On-site)
Compensation Range:$32.42 to $39.86 per hour

Application Deadline: October 6, 2026

Cultivating Knowledge, Crafting Professionals, Curating Living Collections.

Join us in shaping the gardens and the gardeners of tomorrow! You'll curate vibrant plant and library collections, keep our living landscapes beautifully documented, and inspire students as they grow into confident horticultural pros.

At Niagara Parks, every day brings an opportunity to work somewhere extraordinary. As a self‑financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, we are the caretakers of 56 kilometers of breathtaking landscapes from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and the hosts of millions of visitors from around the world.

Our vision is ambitious: to become one of the most spectacular parks in the world. And we’re well on our way thanks to the passionate, enthusiastic, and caring people who power our organization. From attractions and retail to heritage, culinary, and golf operations, our career paths are as diverse as the lands we protect.

What You’ll Do

This role blends plant curation, records management, and hands‑on teaching. You’ll manage and document the Botanical Gardens’ living collections, maintain plant records and the herbarium, and oversee the School of Horticulture’s library resources. You’ll also teach and evaluate students in horticultural skills, helping them grow into future industry leaders.

This is an 18-month contract opportunity.

The Collections Management Curator will:

• Teach and mentor students in horticultural skills, techniques, and leadership.
• Plan and deliver hands‑on learning activities for groups of up to 45 students.
• Demonstrate horticultural practices and develop students’ professional and supervisory skills.
• Assess student performance and skill development on a daily basis.
• Ensure student adherence to all safety procedures.
• Contribute to course instruction and curriculum development
• Document and manage living and preserved plant collections in alignment with collection policies and mission.
• Maintain and update plant records using BG‑Base and support mapping through AutoCAD.
• Oversee daily operations of plant records systems, troubleshooting software/hardware issues.
• Conduct inventories and prepare reports on the living and preserved collections.
• Verify plant specimens and support grounds surveying and mapping.
• Create, maintain, and inventory plant labels and signage.
• Support development and compliance with plant collections management policies.
• Accession new and existing plants, including research into provenance.
• Maintain and develop the herbarium, verifying specimens and creating new vouchers.
• Manage the School of Horticulture library collection using specialized database systems.
• Order, catalog, process, circulate, and archive textbooks and reference materials.
• Issue overdue notices and manage associated fines.
• Maintain library and archival selection criteria and perform annual inventories.
• Assist staff and students in locating information and resources.
• Maintain archival databases and records.
• Train student librarians, staff, and students in library use and research skills.
• Deliver workshops on research techniques.
• Maintain the library resource page within the LMS.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Horticulture or a closely allied field with course work in Botany, Taxonomy and/or Plant Systematics.
• A minimum of three (3) years of hands‑on collections management experience at a botanical garden or arboretum; thorough knowledge of perennials, woody plants, arboriculture, soil biology and plant health care.
• Extensive working knowledge of botanical garden collection management principles and taxonomic principles in relation to ornamental plants.
• Thorough knowledge of botanical garden documentation procedures and protocols (both living and preserved).
• Excellent working knowledge of BG-Base, AutoCAD and other database, spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Ability to accurately identify ornamental and native plants using taxonomic keys, monographs and other technical references.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, landscaping techniques and design principles and an ability to approach garden development creatively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to teach and instruct students in horticulture theory and practice and to manage effectively the work of students, co‑ops , full-time and seasonal bargaining unit staff, interns and volunteers.
• Highly developed organization skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous programs yet maintain attention to detail.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We offer a comprehensive total rewards package to support your health, wellbeing, and financial security including:

• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Discounts at Niagara Parks retail, culinary, and golf locations
• Complimentary passes to Niagara Parks attractions to share with family and friends
• Free entry at Niagara Parks attractions
• Access to the Attractions Ontario Reciprocal Program
• Free transportation on the WEGO Green Line and Falls Incline Railway

Our Commitment to Accessibility & Inclusion

Since 1885, Niagara Parks has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural beauty of the Niagara River corridor for future generations. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

We provide a transparent, inclusive and barrier free hiring process consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require an accommodation to address specific needs related to Code protected grounds, please contact us.

For questions about the collection or use of your personal information, or to request an alternate application format, contact us at 905‑295‑4377 ext. 0 or [e-mail].

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Niagara Parks Commission uses AI-assisted tools to help organize and screen resumes based on limited factors such as keywords and role related terms. AI results are only a preliminary aid. Final decisions are made by human reviewers to ensure fair and accurate hiring decisions.