Job Opportunities
Juniper Level Botanic Garden Manager
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 have an open position at JLBG for the Garden Manager as part of a fast-paced team. We are looking for a responsible, curious, flexible person with a keen passion for plant knowledge and management talent to join our team.
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.
Benefits: We offer an extensive benefits plan that includes health, dental & vision insurance, life insurance, and a simple IRA plan. We also have paid public holidays, paid time off, and vacation days.
Job Description
The Garden Manager is a working supervisor position. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with the Director of JLBG to manage the collections, maintenance, staffing, personnel, communication, and outreach of JLBG.
Job Responsibilities:
Garden Maintenance
- Manages all aspects of plant husbandry and living collection aesthetics including trimming, thinning, deadheading, weeding, and mulching in collaboration with the garden director.
- Manages the maintenance of the path systems and general housekeeping within the garden area.
- Manages irrigation for optimal growth and plant health - water use is coordinated with the needs of the nursery (in coordination with the nursery manager, facilities manager and the garden visitation and events schedule).
- Manages the garden soil condition and fertility (soil tests and organic amendment applications or modifications are made as needed).
- Coordinates seed and spore collection for the JLBG collection for use in production and for distribution.
- Works cooperatively with the plant records/taxonomist to ensure all garden plants are properly labeled.
- Scouts consistently to detect pests and other garden issues.
Installations/Planting/Moving
- Manages the installation of plants as directed.
- Assists with recording and labeling of all newly installed plants as needed.
- Ensures that all newly planted accessions are properly irrigated.
- Relocates garden plants as directed.
- Coordinates with garden director when plants need to be moved due to declining health or visibility.
- Scouts/surveys for plants that may need to be relocated due to adjacent growth and communicates this to the garden director.
- Manages the collection of plant materials from the garden as needed by the nursery or research when appropriate.
Staffing/Personnel
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Manges the curator of the seed collection and garden curator positions.
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Collaborates with the garden director to recruit, coordinate, and supervise JLBG garden staff.
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Collaborates with the garden director to recruit, coordinate, and supervise JLBG garden interns in collaboration with the nursery manager.
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Collaborates with the garden director to recruit, coordinate, and supervise the JLBG volunteers.
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Records and reports the JLBG volunteer hours worked.
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Coordinates JLBG volunteers for open nursery/garden needs.
Communication
- Along with the garden director, serves as the point of contact for all garden issues.
- Promptly answers customer/customer service plant questions.
- Maintains clear, concise communication with the nursery and research managers to meet the plant needs of these departments.
- Maintains clear, concise communication with the JLBG volunteers.
- Communicates with appropriate staff in a timely manner.
- Ideally enjoys writing and public speaking.
Organization
- Updates the garden director regularly on garden issues.
- Works collaboratively with the garden director to prioritize the garden needs, weed management program, and schedules.
- Maintains the divisional work lists up to date.
- Maintains records with information on plant health, test results and other pertinent information in the JLBG database.
Outreach
- Coordinates visitor and tour schedules and communicates with appropriate staff to ensure successful, educational, and enjoyable visits for groups.
- Conducts garden tours as needed.
- Instructs classes and presents lectures.
- Represents the JLBG at outside events as directed.
- Post on JLBG/PDN social media.
- Organizes or assists in organizing events at JLBG in collaboration with other units.
Other duties as needed
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:
- Valid NC pesticide applicators license (or ability to obtain one)
- Valid NC drivers license
- Supervisory experience
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite preferred
- Strong communication skills
- Self-motivated
Standard Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm, some Saturday mornings to oversee volunteer crew, and eight open nursery and garden sales weekends each year.
Employee Classification: Salary Permanent Full Time
Compensation: Begins at $48,000 - $52,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience.
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 and 3 professional references to jobs@plantdelights.com
Looking for something else? Excited about what we do? Become a volunteer!
Learn more about our volunteer program.
Employee Classification: Volunteer Part Time
Compensation: Exercise, fresh air, and the occasional free plant
Standard Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm + eight open nursery and garden sales weekends each year
Email for more information: volunteer@jlbg.org