Specialist, Horticulture

SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN FOUNDATION; Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan participation

Job summary

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation seeks a Specialist, Horticulture to maintain permanent collections and seasonal spaces while engaging visitors about the displays. The role is fast-paced and outdoors, with early mornings and occasional weekends or holidays.

Pay is $21–$23 per hour. Requires a high school diploma or GED, a California driver license, and 1–3 years in public gardens or horticulture; benefits include health insurance, PTO and retirement plan participation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid California Class C driver license required.
• 1–3 years experience in public gardens or horticulture preferred.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and care for plant exhibits and permanent collections.
• Engage visitors and answer questions about displays.
• Assist with inventory, tools, and supplies for exhibits.
• Follow safety guidelines and work outdoors in varying weather.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Nature enthusiasm

Education

High school diploma or GED

California Driver License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $21.00 - $23.00 Hourly, South Coast Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of formal garden collections and natural walking trails founded atop the most unlikely of beginnings – a sanitary landfill. Today, South Coast Botanic Garden (SCBG) stands as a testament to the regenerative power of nature and the possibilities for land reclamation as it continues to transition from landfill to landmark. The stunning Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden is a signature experience, along with the show-stopping Living Wall, a long-term exhibit of eight remarkable large-scale works of fine art sculpture, a seasonal butterfly pavilion, annual public programs and rotating traveling exhibitions. Programs invite guests to interact with nature through music, craft, science and wellness activities. There is even more excitement to come, with the creation of a 3.5-acre Marilyn and John Long Children and Family Garden scheduled for completion in the coming years. There has never been a better time to join this dynamic team!

SCBG fosters an environment where strategic focus and cultural health work hand-in-hand, ensuring alignment and resilience. The ideal candidate displays a grateful and positive outlook, wholeheartedly supports SCBG’s mission to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and has the grit necessary to grow SCBG. Candidates should be excited to embrace this framework to guide their work and actively collaborate on cross-functional projects that further the organization’s strategic goals.

POSITION TITLE:

Specialist, Horticulture

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to Manager, Horticulture and Plant Exhibits and Director, Living Collections

JOB SUMMARY:

The Horticulture Specialist maintains and cares for South Coast Botanic Garden's permanent collections and seasonal plant exhibition spaces while engaging with visitors to address questions about the collections and exhibits. This is a fast-paced, evolving environment, and we seek a candidate eager to help our Garden continue its journey as a place to connect all to the wonders of nature. The job requires working primarily outdoors during early mornings, weekends and some holidays in various weather conditions. Attention to detail, plant and gardening knowledge and teamwork are desired attributes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Daily assessment and improvement of plant exhibit and permanent collection spaces to ensure visitors have a high-quality experience include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for dedicated plant spaces (e.g., Rose Garden, Pollination Garden, Nursery, etc.) ensuring that the spaces are pristine and plant exhibits and permanent collections are well maintained, safely accessible and engaging for all guests
• Maintain and care for plant material including but not limited to weeding, watering and pruning to ensure the quality of the exhibit
• Deliver exceptional customer service by providing visitors with insightful information, highlighting key points of interest, and answering questions about plant exhibits and permanent collections to enhance their overall experience
• Responsible for inventory, ordering and maintenance of tools, equipment and supplies used to maintain permanent, seasonal and traveling exhibits
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for staff and visitors and consistently demonstrate safe work conduct
• Drive gator or golf carts throughout the Garden to access the plant exhibits and permanent collections
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail without losing sight of the Garden's mission and vision
• Ability to organize and manage multiple time-sensitive tasks/priorities simultaneously
• Curiosity and love of nature, eagerness to learn and to share their excitement with others about the plant exhibits and permanent collections
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; must be able to communicate clearly on written documents
• Must act with integrity and possess the ability to carry oneself with a professional demeanor and decorum in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace or similar programs preferred
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings and holidays
• Ability to stand, walk and bend for consecutive hours at a time in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Must have a valid California Class C Driver License
• Minimum of one year of experience working in public gardens and/or similar institutions/organizations preferred
• Experience working in horticulture preferred; experience in education, interpretation, museum studies, curation, science, communication, botany and/or similar fields is also desirable
• One to three years of experience in customer service

Position is full-time, non-exempt. Pay range is $21-23 per hour depending on experience. Must be available early mornings, weekdays, some evenings, some holidays, and most weekends.

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, paid time off and retirement plan participation.

South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation is dedicated to a practice of diversity, inclusion, access and equity for all employees and visitors.