Landscape Coordinator

About the Opportunity:
The landscape coordinator will foster relationships with scientists, engineers, arborists, botanists, and many other service professionals to help the new Academy Mission ‘regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration’ Thrive. Opportunities are available to make Re- wilding impacts with a wide array of volunteer groups and interns. In addition to working on the illustrious 2-acre extensive wildlife corridor living roof, new native plant exhibits using Permaculture techniques will be implemented. This role also partners with the beautiful Golden Gate Park to steward neighboring wild land for local flora and fauna. Becoming a team member and part of our strategic plan through direct action with the Thriving California initiative, and Reimagining San Francisco, real-time conservation solutions can be made.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. This is a full-time on-site position. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1021. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

About the Landscape Horticulture Team:
The Landscape Horticulture Department not only provides a model of native plant LEED platinum and interactive swath of land for visitors, we provide support to all departments interacting with the Academy Building, exhibits, events onsite and offsite fundraising activities. The Horticulture department consults with nurseries, ecologists, irrigation technicians, and landscape architects to further improve sophisticated functions of a science museum. This Department strives for best practice-balance of wild nature and urban life in a park to showcase learning, collaboration and a responsible pesticide-free environment with pollinator- friendly acreage. This role ties in with the mission to provide support with land management and consultation, as the San Francisco Examiner wrote on their September headline covering the Reimagine San Francisco launch “ SF leaders’ latest antidote to the ‘doom loop?’ Plants”.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate Horticulture upgrades with the Capital projects team
• Coordinate Contractor duties with Good communication skills and a pleasant demeanor
• Perform tasks to fertilize weeds, prune, and water 7 Acres of outdoor landscape exhibits
• Maintenance of landscape irrigation equipment, drainage systems, hand tools, power tools, signage, carts and hoses
• Liaison with Departments to participate as a Guide for the Volunteer Groups during special events on the Living Roof Wildlife Corridor
• Responsible to Maintain Oracle Fusion software purchase orders and requisitions
• Properly delegate work to contractors as needed to assist with contract-related work
• Carry out routine inspection, maintenance, and repair of irrigation equipment
• Be able to conduct the Daily Programming of Laguna irrigation software
• Assist with educational activities for volunteers, docents, and interns
• Fix emergency irrigation system components or coordinate with contractors to address breaks; upgrade as necessary for sustainable practices
• Point of contact for Horticulture Department stake in Health and Safety Committee and Pest Committee
• Coordinate irrigation projects with all necessary stakeholders concerning any areas of affected irrigation accommodations for events and projects.
• Data collection related to plant health and performance, tree care, and IPM data
• Follow all Academy safety regulations
• Partner with contractors at the Academy’s residence for all Landscape gardens and report to the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:
Education and/or Experience: A qualified candidate will have a combination of the following experience and/or equivalent education:

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college in a subject related to horticulture; or at least one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with native plants, irrigation systems, and outdoor landscaping is required
• Experience with tree care preferred
• Experienced with landscaping equipment, hand tools, power tools, irrigation systems
• Certification in arboriculture and /or Pest Management is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience with organic horticultural practices
• Strong plant identification skills, specific knowledge of Native California flora
• Ability to work with docents, volunteers, and educational staff
• Ability to learn new systems such as computerized irrigation controllers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Must have a valid California driver’s license

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time. Additionally, the physical demands of this position require:

• This position requires one to be flexible to schedule occasional early morning work
• The ability to stand for most of the working day, bend, kneel, dig and lift 50 pounds
• Working outdoors while being exposed to various types of weather conditions including sun, rain, wind, heat, and cold
• Handling of and exposure to a variety of plants, insects, landscaping materials, and chemicals
• The ability to operate heavy equipment including skid loaders, forklifts, and aerial work platforms

Compensation and Benefits
Starting salary will vary based on experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked.

Please scroll down to "Other details" for this position's hiring range.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, cover letter, and complete the brief online application

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.