Grounds & Live Exhibits Manager

About the Role

The Living Collections Manager is responsible for the maintenance and care of the California native plant garden and animal exhibits on the museum grounds. The museum grounds include planter beds on each level, lawn, and the exterior areas of the main campus as well as two off-site facilities. This position will develop management procedures and prioritize work to ensure the plants and animals have healthy environments. They will also be responsible for the function and operation of systems supporting these habitats, training staff, and ensuring continuous operation and support of living exhibits.

Responsibilities

• Institutional Responsibilities
  • Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy.
  • Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement.
  • Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives.
  • Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement.
• Live Exhibit Care
  • Garden & Grounds Care
    • Ensure the health of the California native plant garden and habitat.
    • Monitor and manage maintenance needs for plants including pruning, weeding, and mulching.
    • Seasonally maintain and adjust the irrigation system; carry out or coordinate repairs and improvements.
    • Monitor and manage garden turf maintenance; collaborate with museum staff to ensure the lawn is healthy and presentable.
    • Monitor and manage weed growth throughout grounds and hardscape at the museum’s main campus and two offsite facilities.
    • Ensure the proper care and maintenance of all groundskeeping equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, and hand tools.
  • Animal Care
    • Oversee critical animal life support systems, including two 50,000-gallon outdoor fish ponds, a 1,000-gallon aquarium, and two reptile/invertebrate tanks.
    • Ensure systems operate in compliance with facilities procedures; repair, upgrade, and replace life support systems as needed.
    • Maintain and clean animal life support systems (filters, pumps, sterilizers, etc.) to facilitate efficient operation.
    • Feed organisms within a carefully scheduled safe window of nutrient application.
    • Monitor behavioral and external signs of stress or illness.
    • Regularly test water conditions to ensure animal enclosures are within safe parameters; monitor and correct water quality (salinity, pH, temperature).
    • Respond to animal care health needs with veterinarian consultation.
    • Collaborate and cross-train with museum staff and contractors for maintenance and troubleshooting.
    • Train staff in basic emergency response for live exhibits; be on call 24/7 for emergencies requiring specific expertise.
  • Administration
    • Inspect and assess the condition of the grounds, including lawn, garden, irrigation systems, and other outdoor features; develop plans for improvement.
    • Supervise and coordinate the work of the Gardener, including training and providing performance feedback; coordinate contractor work as needed.
    • Source, budget, purchase, and organize animal care and plant care supply inventory.
    • Ensure healthy rotation of live animals and plants; procure additional animals and plants in compliance with local laws and organizational goals.
    • Keep current records of chemical inventory in accordance with industry-standard work safety practices and regulatory requirements.
    • Maintain necessary documentation, permits, and records for collection and display of protected plants and animals.
    • Manage the budget for maintenance and care of animal enclosures, native plant garden, and grounds, including forecasting expenses and evaluating cost-saving opportunities.
    • Develop and update animal care and garden operation and maintenance guides.
    • Develop and manage a garden waste removal compost system.
    • Research, develop, and implement live exhibit enclosures, habitats, and life support systems with design staff, onsite engineers, and natural science curator.
    • Manage and execute animal enclosure, garden, and grounds projects.
    • Educate museum guests and staff regarding appropriate conduct around live exhibits; advocate for safer and user-friendly messaging.
    • Develop relationships with vendors, academic consultants, and government agencies to ensure animal enclosures and California native plants are healthy, accurate, and engaging.
    • Collaborate with the museum volunteer team to implement garden volunteer sessions.
    • Maintain a high level of organization and cleanliness in work areas; safely handle and store animal care and garden supplies.
    • Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in animal care, California native plants, and grounds management.

Requirements

• English language proficiency in both spoken and written form.
• 3-5 years of related experience.
• Experience as a landscape/grounds manager or similar role, with strong knowledge of horticulture, landscape design, and groundskeeping techniques.
• Experience with live animal care (strong preference for experience with marine animals and live exhibit care).
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to effectively supervise and motivate a team.
• In-depth understanding of irrigation systems, pest management, and landscape maintenance.
• Proficient in operating and maintaining groundskeeping equipment.
• Strong knowledge of work safety protocols and environmental regulations related to grounds management.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with staff, stakeholders, and external vendors.
• Computer literacy; familiarity with Google Workplace.
• Problem-solving skills; product/system research, budgeting, operations, and maintenance management.

Qualifications

• A degree or certification in horticulture, landscape management, or a related field is preferred.
• Fishing license preferred.
• Familiarity with operation and maintenance of fish ponds, aquariums, or animal enclosures preferred.
• Experience with “hot” species: venomous reptiles and poisonous invertebrates preferred.
• First aid/CPR training preferred.

Work Environment

• Museum environment involving both indoor and outdoor working conditions.
• Ability to travel between OMCA locations and other travel as required.
• Engage with diverse visitor populations for extended periods.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires strenuous physical work including lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Moderate to loud noise from production events, machinery, equipment, or vehicles.
• Work near moving mechanical parts.
• Exposure to dirt, dust, and fumes.