Curator of the Seed Collection

Plant Delights Nursery/Juniper Level Botanic Garden has one of the most diverse collections of unusual and rare plants in the world. As a private 28-acre botanic garden and plant research facility, we focus on ex-situ plant conservation, plant exploration, breeding, and propagation. We are a family-owned company with a mission to support research, education, and the exploration of plants through the sales of unique perennial plants. We offer a casual dress code, a diverse staff, and a friendly working environment.

Job Description

The Seed Curator will be responsible for collecting, processing, and organizing seed and spore collections across the garden. This position is largely independent in day to day tasks, but will work with all other departments to make sure seed needs are being met as well as maintain all seed collection data.

Job Responsibilities:

Curation of the seed and spore collection 

• Collect and clean seed, spore, and specialty crosses from JLBG and research/trial areas.
• Deadhead and remove unwanted seeds as needed
• Curate and store seed and spore collection for appropriate use.
• Inventory plants during collection and scouting activities.
• Update plant locations within beds as well as inaccurate bed locations.
• Create lists of broken or missing tags for taxonomist and plant records assistant.
• Coordinate with garden crew about collections and cutbacks.
• Coordinate with research about collections.
• Coordinate with nursery about seeds they need for sales and specialty plants.
• Clean fermented seeds-take directly to prop or sterilize and prep for storage.
• Organize seed storage room and maintain all necessary supplies. 

Database management/data entry 

• Enter collection dates and field codes for plants marked for seed collection and plant inventories.
• Track seeds that are checked in and out of the seed refrigerator.
• Test plants for nematodes and communicate the results to appropriate IPM manager as well as entry of results into the database. 

Staffing/Personnel 

• Lead volunteers and garden crew in seed processing best practices.
• Coordinate schedules with volunteers dedicated to seed processing.

 Pest control 

• Report any potential pest issues to the appropriate manager.
• Collect, prep, test samples for foliar nematodes.
• Sterilize seeds that have or potentially have nematodes 

Open House 

• Collaborate with garden staff to set up and break down open house infrastructure.
• Work as informative garden staff during open house weekends. 

Index seminum and sales 

• Coordinate with JCRA staff for the Index Seminum and create the JLBG seed lists, organize volunteers and supplies, work with the shipping department to mail seeds to seminum recipients.
• Coordinate with the JLBG director to establish a wholesale seed sale program and manage the details of the program via coordination with the interested buyers, development of availability lists, etc.
• Coordinate with the appropriate members of NARGS, Hardy Fern Foundation, etc. for donation of seed and spore material for exchanges. 

Communication 

• Daily morning meetings with the garden staff to communicate the projects of the day as well as coordinate cutback/collection activities.
• Weekly meeting with taxonomy staff and JLBG director to communicate inventory progress, needs, input on what taxa we collect, and any other appropriate details of the position’s responsibility.
• Request and receive weekly updates of plants removed from the garden from the garden taxonomist.
• Create and edit documents including How to: Seeds, Seed Cleaning Protocols/Best Practices, Seed Collection and Processing Methods. 

Other duties as needed 

• A successful candidate should be flexible and able to assume duties as needed due to staff shortages or unexpected and evolving issues.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Company-Matching Simple IRA
• Paid Public Holidays
• PTO and Vacation days

Qualifications

Formal education in a plant science/horticulture-related field and/or extensive experience in horticulture, particularly public garden management is preferred. Applicants with the following qualifications will be strongly considered:

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite preferred
• Effective communication skills
• Self-motivated
• Experience with database management
• Ability to work in all weather conditions

Standard Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm eight open nursery and garden sales weekends each year

Send cover letter and resume with a detailed description of work history along with 3 professional references. jobs@plantdelights.com