Grounds & Live Exhibits Manager

Oakland Museum of California; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 73,806 - 99,855; Full time

Job summary

Oakland Museum of California is seeking a Grounds & Live Exhibits Manager responsible for the native plant garden and animal habitats across the main campus and two off-site facilities. The role will develop procedures, prioritize work, and ensure healthy environments while keeping life-support systems running.

The position includes staff training, supervision of the Gardener, budget oversight, and coordination with contractors to maintain engaging, safe outdoor spaces in compliance with safety

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of related grounds or museum facilities experience.
• Experience as a landscape/grounds manager with horticulture knowledge.
• Experience with live animal care, marine animals preferred.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• In-depth irrigation, pest management, and lawn/garden maintenance knowledge.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• First aid/CPR training preferred.
• Degree in horticulture or related field preferred.
• Fishing license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain California native plant garden health and habitat.
• Monitor and adjust irrigation systems and lawn maintenance.
• Oversee animal life-support systems and collaborate with veterinarians.
• Train staff in emergency response for live exhibits.
• Develop operation and maintenance guides for gardens and enclosures.

Skills

Grounds management

Irrigation systems

Live animal care

Leadership

Education

Horticulture degree (preferred)

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Grounds & Live Exhibits Manager

US-CA-Oakland

Overview

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA (OMCA) MISSION

We inspire understanding and empathy with stories and experiences of California's art, history, and natural environment to build more equitable and connected communities.

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA (OMCA) VISION

We envision a just and vibrant future where our communities value and honor one another and the world around us.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Grounds & Live Exhibits Manager is responsible for the maintenance and care of the California native plant garden and animal exhibits on the museum grounds. The museum grounds include planter beds on each level, lawn, and the exterior areas of the main campus as well as two off‑site facilities. This position will develop management procedures and prioritize work to ensure the plants and animals have healthy environments. They will also be responsible for the function/operation of systems supporting these habitats. This position is responsible for training staff and ensuring continuous operation and support of living exhibits.

Responsibilities

Institutional Responsibilities

• Support the Museum's mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement
• All positions will have core functional responsibilities, cross‑functional team activation and learning and development as a core function of each role.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Live Exhibit Care

Garden & Grounds Care

• Is responsible for California native plant garden health and habitat. Monitor and manage maintenance needs for plants including pruning, weeding, and mulching.
• Seasonally maintain and adjust the irrigation system. Carry out or coordinate repairs and improvements to the irrigation system as needed.
• Monitor and manage garden turf maintenance. Collaborate with museum staff to ensure the lawn is healthy and presentable.
• Monitor and manage weed growth throughout grounds and hardscape at the museum's main campus and two off‑site facilities.
• Ensure the proper care and maintenance of all groundskeeping equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, and hand tools.

Animal Care

• Is responsible for critical animal life support systems, including two 50,000 gallon outdoor fish ponds, a 1,000 gallon aquarium, and two reptile/invertebrate tanks. Ensure systems are operating in compliance with facilities procedures. Repair, upgrade, and replace life support systems and components as needed.
• Maintain and clean animal life support systems (filter, pumps, sterilizers, etc.) to facilitate efficient operation.
• Feed organisms within a carefully scheduled safe window of nutrient application.
• Monitor behavioral and external signs of stress or illness.
• Regularly test water conditions to ensure animal enclosures are within safe parameters. Monitor and correct water quality parameters (salinity, pH, temperature) in all of the live exhibit systems as needed.
• Respond to animal care health needs with veterinarian consultation.
• Collaborate and cross‑train with museum staff and contractors for maintenance and troubleshooting (facilities department, production staff, and engineer contractors).
• Train staff in basic emergency response for live exhibits. Be on call 24/7 for any emergencies requiring specific expertise or training.

Administration

• Inspect and assess the condition of the grounds, including lawn, garden, irrigation systems, and other outdoor features, and develop plans for improvement.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of the Gardener, including training, and providing performance feedback. Coordinate contractor work as needed.
• Source, budget, purchase and organize animal care and plant care supply inventory to meet the responsibilities listed above.
• Ensure healthy rotation of live animals and plants. Procure additional animals and plants in compliance with local laws and goals for the organization.
• Keep current records of chemical inventory in accordance with industry standard work safety practices and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain necessary documentation, permits, and records for collection and display of protected plants and animals.
• Manage the budget for maintenance and care of the animal enclosures, native plant garden, and grounds including forecasting expenses, sourcing materials, and evaluating cost‑saving opportunities.
• Develop and update animal care and garden operation and maintenance guides.
• Develop and manage garden waste removal compost system.
• Research, develop and implement live exhibit enclosures, habitats and life support systems with design staff, onsite engineers, and natural science curator.
• Manage and execute animal enclosure, garden, and grounds projects.
• Educate museum guests and staff regarding appropriate conduct around live exhibits. Advocate for safer and user‑friendly messaging and materials to benefit both live plants and animals and the visitor.
• Develop relationships with vendors, academic consultants and government agencies to ensure animal enclosures and California native plants are healthy, accurate and engaging.
• Collaborate with the museum volunteer team to implement garden volunteer sessions with OMCA volunteers and external groups.
• Maintain a high level of organization and cleanliness in work areas. Safely handle and store animal care and garden supplies in compliance with work safety practices.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in animal care, California native plant, and grounds management to continually improve the appearance and functionality of our outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

Experience

• English language proficiency in both spoken and written form.
• 3‑5 years of related experience.
• Experience as a landscape/grounds manager or similar role, with a strong knowledge of horticulture, landscape design, and groundskeeping techniques.
• Experience with live animal care (strong preference for experience with marine animals and live exhibit care).
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to effectively supervise and motivate a team.
• In‑depth understanding of irrigation systems, pest management, and landscape maintenance.
• Proficient in operating and maintaining groundskeeping equipment.
• Strong knowledge of work safety protocols and environmental regulations related to grounds management.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with staff, stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Computer literacy. Familiarity with Google Workplace.
• Problem‑solving skills. Product/system research, budgeting, operations and maintenance management.
• A degree or certification in horticulture, landscape management, or a related field is preferred.
• Fishing license preferred.
• Familiarity with operation and maintenance of fish pond, aquariums or animal enclosures preferred.
• Experience with 'hot' species: venomous reptiles and poisonous invertebrates preferred.
• First aid/CPR training preferred.

Work Environment

• Museum environment involves both indoor and outdoor working conditions.
• Ability to travel between OMCA locations, and other travel as required by position responsibilities.
• Engage with diverse visitor populations for extended periods of time in the galleries or throughout the campus.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires strenuous physical work including lifting, pushing and pulling.
• Moderate to loud noise from production events, machinery, equipment or vehicles.
• Work near moving mechanical parts.
• Exposure to dirt, dust and fumes.

EEO Statement

The Oakland Museum of California is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We highly encourage our diverse community to apply for available employment, internship, fellowship and volunteer positions at the Museum, as we aim to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of our visitors and surrounding community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OMCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Compensation

$86,830