Curator - Assistant Botanical Garden Director

UCLA
Los Angeles, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/19/2022 CLOSED ON 5/11/2022

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Curator - Assistant Botanical Garden Director position at UCLA?

UCLA MILDRED E. MATHIAS BOTANICAL GARDEN is a 7.5 acre garden, outdoor classroom, and research facility on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. This living museum contains a diverse collection of plants from around the world. The goal of the Garden is to promote botanical knowledge and appreciation of nature to the UCLA community and public at large. Its diverse plant collections are designed to assist the teaching and research missions at UCLA while creating a tranquil environment within the urban surroundings. The Garden acts as a community gathering place for a wide variety of groups and through its own events promotes plant conservation, botanical research and horticulture.

Reporting to the Director of Botanical Garden, the Assistant Director oversees day-to-day operations of the gardens and supports its mission and vision by curating and maintaining MEMBG's living collections, gardens and landscapes to high professional standards. Incumbent is to assume responsibilities often assigned to a Director of Horticulture by leading a team of horticultural professionals, seasonal gardeners and volunteers responsible for the curation, design and maintenance of the 7.5 acres of gardens. The Assistant Director works with Director and collaborates with other senior MEMBG senior staff to; (1) develop and oversee the horticultural plan for Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden (MEMBG); (2) administer and curate the diverse collection of gardens and plant collections that make up the MEMBG; (3) coordinate the activities of the garden staff of 5 or more individuals, depending on availability of funding and activities of special projects; (4) update and maintain database collection records digitally; (5) manage the volunteer gardening program, supervise 20 or more volunteer gardeners, and offer horticultural workshops to train volunteers.
(6) The Assistant Director, as 2nd in charge, acts on behalf of the Director, when the Director is unavailable. (7) The Assistant Director is the Garden representative with Campus Facilities Maintenance staff on projects requiring maintenance or infrastructure improvement within the Garden.

The Assistant Director provides support to the Director and UCLA development office to seek funding to expand the programs and collections of MEMBG, and work with faculty and staff to expand and improve the teaching, research, and extension missions of the Botanical Garden. Incumbent develops and regularly updates a Garden Management Plan, in concert with the Director, and ensures that the Garden implements botanical and infrastructure changes consistent with the Garden's vision plan. Incumbent represents the Garden on matters related to the Garden operations when the Garden Director is not available. Incumbent provides high level support to Garden Director and makes recommendations to the Garden Director to fulfill missions of the Garden, through collaboration with the Director on the Garden programs of research, teaching and community outreach, coordinating and facilitating faculty committees, analysis of resources needed, and reports on effectiveness of the programs. Incumbent is to work with the Garden Director and Manager on the development and production of public talks.

Incumbent is to supervise the Garden Manager, garden staff and temporary staff. It is approximately 3.7813 FTE as well as volunteers and temporary/limited staff.

Incumbent is to ensure a safe/respectful work environment for staff, volunteers, visitors, students, etc. adhering to University regulations and Dept. policies and regulations. (E)

Percentage of Time:
100

Shift Start:
8:00 am

Shift End:
5:00 pm

Qualifications for Position

14
Records

Qualifications

Required/Preferred

1. Bachelor and/or Master's Degree preferred in horticulture, botany, landscape design or garden management, or a related relevant area of study and six (6 years) of experience in horticultural work, including two (2) or more years in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in public gardens to be successful.

Required

2. Strong computer skills; knowledge of database management for garden acquisitions; collection database, and mapping.

Required

3. Detailed understanding of horticultural practices for the maintenance and propagation of garden landscape and nursery and plants and extensive knowledge of rare and exotic specialty plants such as cacti, succulents, orchids, ferns, cycads, etc.

Required

4. Familiarity with plant records databases.

Required

5. Excellent plant identification skills and a good understanding of plant taxonomy.

Required

6. Knowledge with working with technology tools, including working in Windows PC computer environments, and using Microsoft and other applications and programs; an ability to efficiently collaborate with other staff via electronic means is essential.

Required

7. Practical and current knowledge of plant pests and diseases and their control - preventive, natural and chemical (regulations and use). Significant expertise and experience in designing permanent and temporary plantings with both educational and aesthetic emphasis.

Required

8. Demonstrated management and interpersonal skills. Excellent organizational skills as regards to storage and presentation of acquisition data on living collections.

Required

9. Ability to coordinate, prioritize and direct the efforts of staff, garden volunteers, and students with diverse educational backgrounds, skills sets and interests to accomplish Botanical Garden goals and projects.

Required

10. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills (newsletters, written tour guides, presentations, media articles, tours, etc.)

Required

11. Strong ability to recruit and train volunteers and staff in day-to-day operation and curatorial activities of Botanic Gardens.

Required

12. Knowledge of botanical nomenclature and familiarity with plant floras, especially California and Baja California native plants, and general plant biology.

Required

13. Prior experience implementing new garden designs or garden master plans.

Required

14. Prior experience with botanical horticultural and Botanical Gardens; particularly associated with academic institutions.

Preferred

Additional Posting Information

Bargaining Unit:
99-Policy Covered

Application Deadline:
12-05-2021

External Posting Date:
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