PROPAGATION SPECIALIST bei Desert Botanical Garden

Description

Position Purpose

Desert Botanical Garden holds the National Collections for Cactus and Agave in addition to over 4,500 taxa for desert plants. This position has the unique opportunity to create a new comprehensive propagation program to support the Garden’s living collection goals, provide propagation support for the department’s semi-annual Plant Sale Event and production of limited plant material for supplementing plant beds and displays. The position will utilize new facilities including state of the art greenhouse bay(s), a newly constructed 12,000 square foot shade pavilion and a new 7,000 square foot head house. The program will demonstrate best techniques in propagation and exceptional care for plant forms including cactus, agaves, succulents, desert trees and shrubs.                                     

Essential Duties

• Develop, implement and manage a propagation program using current best practices and standards for cactus, agave, succulents, desert trees and shrubs.  
• Document and evaluate propagation protocols, results and records required for living collections curation.  
• Collaborate with Plant Form Specialist team in the management and operation of growing facilities. 
• Coordinate and communicate with Plant Form Specialists, Plant Sale Director and Director of Trails and Displays in the scheduling, acquisition and propagation of plant material. 
• Participating member of the living collections team including attending meetings, providing reports and participating in collecting trips. 
• Provide support for departmental activities including plant sales, plant exhibit and display installations, plant salvaging and construction projects. 
• Train, communicate and supervise volunteers working for the propagation program. 
• Continue professional education and participation in professional organizations. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Horticulture.  

Pay Range:  $51,600 to $60,000

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, life sciences or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of current industry technologies and best practices in desert/ arid plant propagation including herbaceous and woody plant forms, seed germination and cuttings. 
• Demonstrated knowledge for managing and working in automated growing facilities.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of IPM for greenhouses and shade houses including monitoring and treatments. 
• Experience managing and working with accessioned plant material.
• Exceptional time management, communication and organizational skills.  
• The ability to solve problems using discretion and good judgment, high levels of personal motivation. 
• Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed. 
• Valid driver’s license for cart training and use.  

Equipment Used

Typical office equipment. This role will also use small hand tools (loppers, pruners, pick axe, shovels, sharp shooter, etc.) and some power tools for landscaping maintenance and care. Automated greenhouse and shade pavilion software and applications. 

Internal Communication

Regular communication with Garden Staff and volunteers.

External Communication

Communication with media, growers, botanical garden colleagues, professional associations.

Working Conditions

Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 30 pounds required. Majority of daily work tasks occur outside year- round including summer months in addition to greenhouse, shade house and head house environments. The Horticulture department implements a summer schedule to support the safety and well-being of staff working outside.  

Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.