Title: Curator - Bumgarner Lotus Pool & Stanford Liberty Garden
Department: Horticulture
Reports to: Director of Horticulture
Supervisor of: Horticulturists and Volunteers
FLSA Status: Exempt
Classification: Full-time, Salary (minimum 40 hours per week)
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for maintaining all aspects of specific developed garden within the Tulsa Botanic Garden including planning and designing beds, planting, lawn areas, water features, irrigation systems and all other features. This position will work with and lead a team of Horticulturists and volunteers with the goal of maintaining and continuing to develop the gardens assigned.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
- Maintain and curate all plants and garden spaces assigned, including proper soil nutrition, drainage conditions, supplemental irrigation and/or hand watering, winter protection, pruning/deadheading, etc. as needed
- Continue the implementation of the design intent created for the gardens
- Source, order, and document all new incoming plants
- Design and install seasonal plant displays
- Work with Nursery and Plant Records Manager to ensure a proper propagation schedule and accurate numbers of plants are produced while also documenting all planting, removals, deaths, etc. to ensure accurate identification, mapping and labeling
- Work with Director of Horticulture regarding repair and maintenance of other garden features (water features, lighting, irrigation, etc.)
- Work with other Curators and Director of Horticulture to manage the day-to-day operations of the Horticulture department
- Expert-level knowledge of all plants growing in specific gardens, including seasonal plantings while answering questions from visitors, staff, etc.
- Willing and able to lead educational garden tours and/or classes and workshops for various groups, including the general public
- Assess plants for diseases and pests, and implement IPM (Integrated Pest Management) while maintaining all appropriate pesticide licenses/certifications
- Set strategic goals and priorities for gardens
- Develop and maintain an annual budget for gardens
- Multi-year planning for projects that cannot be accomplished in a given fiscal year and on-budget; assure that projects are completed within the defined multi-year period
- Work with the Director of Communications and Outreach for timely promotion of significant display peaks
- Work with Director of Development and Director of Events and Programs regarding scheduled events
- Work with other horticulture staff to plan, install, and take down our annual holiday light display, including wrapping trees with lights, constructing special features and lifting/operating ladders, etc.
- Serve as an ambassador for Tulsa Botanic Garden, including at public appearances
- Prepare and communicate necessary information and documents to the appropriate Board, Committee and staff members for the Board of Directors and Committee meetings
- Attend Board of Directors and Committee meetings as requested
- Assist with special events and programs as needed, including seasonal nights and weekends
- Perform other assigned tasks related to the position
Minimum Job Qualifications and Competencies:
- Previous Horticulture or public garden experience (minimum 5 years) and/or applicable degree/certifications
- Microsoft and Windows familiarity
- Previous Horticulture experience
- Plant identification and industry trends knowledge
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Oklahoma Pesticide Applicators License
- Ability to handle landscape maintenance equipment
- Team focused attitude
- Organized and detail oriented
- Display initiative and passion for work
- Must be motivated and self-driven
Working Conditions and Environmental Exposures:
The position is primarily an active, outdoor position that will include repetitive bending, stooping and squatting with occasional climbing, kneeling or crawling. General duties of the position will require manual dexterity such as grabbing, twisting and digging as well as the ability to handle small seeds and manipulate and operate hand tools. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will have exposure to outside weather conditions and uneven, unpaved terrain. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but could be very loud depending on the task (appropriate PPE should be properly worn during the tasks). The employee will be asked to lift and move 50+ pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About the Tulsa Botanic Garden:
The Tulsa Botanic Garden is an all-season oasis blooming in the Osage Hills, 12 miles northwest of downtown Tulsa. Currently there are three Gardens among our 170-acre footprint with plans to build three more starting in 2022. The Tulsa Botanic Garden is a 501© (3) non-profit organization with a mission to promote the beauty and importance of plants and nature to create a more sustainable and harmonious world. The Garden is located at 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive, Tulsa, OK 74127. For more information call 918-289-0330 or visit tulsabotanic.org.
The Tulsa Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity employer and offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:
Health, dental, vision and retirement benefits
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Garden membership
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three (3) references to dustin@tulsabotanic.org. No phone calls please!