Botanic Gardens Education Horticulturist

City Of Cheyenne; Cheyenne (WY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City Of Cheyenne is seeking an Education Horticulturist to operate the Paul Smith Children’s Village at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and oversee educational programming for all ages. The role blends gardening expertise with youth education, events, and volunteer coordination.

You will work with the Botanic Gardens leadership to develop interpretive signage, tours, and sustainable garden practices while ensuring safety and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in horticulture science, greenhouse production, or landscape maintenance.
• Wyoming Pesticide Applicator License must be obtained within one year from date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan and supervise creation of the Children’s Village educational programming and landscapes.
• Coordinate volunteers for Botanic Gardens and Children’s Village operations.
• Assist planting and maintenance of interior and exterior landscapes.
• Deliver public talks and interpretive signage about nature and sustainability.
• Plan educational tours for schools and groups and align with curricula.
• Maintain a safe environment and support leadership goals of the Gardens.
• Attend meetings and stay current on trends in environmental education.

Skills

Public sector knowledge

Youth education experience

Volunteer management

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Budget development

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 6 - Botanic Gardens - Cheyenne, WY 82001
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: None
Job Category: Parks & Recreation
Education Horticulturist

General Job Description

Operate the Paul Smith Children’s Village and oversee educational programming at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Responsible for making the Children’s Village a fun and educational place for children of all ages, their families, and the public. This is a position that requires a special high-energy, organized person with very diverse abilities including a good understanding of gardening, horticulture, the natural world, concepts of sustainability, youth education, organizing events, managing volunteers, teaching and volunteer coordination.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, implement and supervise all tasks required for the creation of the Children’s Village educational programming, landscapes and maintenance.
• Coordinate volunteers who will assist with the operation of the Botanic Gardens and Children’s Village.
• Assist with the planting and maintenance of all interior and exterior landscapes.
• Provide public communication and interpretation about the natural world and sustainability, including the development of interpretive signage and educational programs.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and operate educational tours to schools and organized groups and gain a solid understanding of their relatable curriculum.
• Maintain a safe environment at the Children’s Village and assist in promoting safety in all aspects of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.
• Assist the Botanic Gardens leadership team and staff with the overall goals and objectives, policies, and priorities of the Botanic Gardens.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend and participate in City meetings and professional group meetings as needed. Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of environmental education, horticulture, volunteer management, youth issues, horticultural therapy, botanic garden management and community gardening.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of public sector personnel administration principles and practices.
• Knowledge of youth education practices.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of volunteer management principles.
• Knowledge of a safe environment for children.
• Knowledge of general gardening.
• Skills to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of the Botanic Gardens staff and volunteers.
• Skills to select, train, supervise and evaluate staff.
• Skills to operate office equipment including computers and assigned software.
• Skills to be organized and able to take many diverse projects to completion simultaneously.
• Strong skills in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Skills to develop, monitor, and control budgets.
• Ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
• Ability to plan, supervise, motivate, and effectively communicate to diverse groups of people.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to give public lectures and do competent public speaking.
• Ability to research information and analyze data to arrive at valid conclusions, recommendations and plans of action.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently and to exercise reasonable judgment in decision making.

Qualifications for the Job

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in horticulture science, greenhouse production and/or landscape maintenance.
• Wyoming Pesticide Applicator License must be obtained one year from date of hire.

Preferred:

• Special consideration will be given to applicants that have a high level of energy, creativity, people skills and any experiences in dealing with the public, working in public gardens, museums, schools, working with youth, gardening, and event coordination.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing.

The employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time and lifting to 45 pounds. Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Working Environment

Indoor, outdoor and greenhouse environment; confined working spaces; humid air. Exposure to radiant energy and inclement weather. Exposure to fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, and pest control agents. Work independently, irregular work hours including evenings and weekends as needed.