Horticulturist-Garden Curator

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of the University of Georgia, seeks a Horticulturist-Garden Curator to plan, plant, curate, and manage assigned garden areas.

About the role

The curator will work closely with the Director of Horticulture & Grounds to ensure accurate plant accessioning, inventory, and record keeping, maintain correct plant labels and interpretive signs, and keep plazas, pathways, lighting, and architectural features safe and in good condition. The position supervises part-time employees, students, and volunteers and engages in outreach to individuals, businesses, plant societies, and horticultural organizations. The curator also contributes to the Garden’s newsletter and participates in committees, educational programs, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Design and installation of annual plant material (45%)
• Maintenance of permanent plant collections: watering, fertilizing, propagating, weeding, pest control, pesticide application, leaf/litter removal, deadheading, mulching
• Seasonal maintenance: winter pruning of specimen woody ornamentals, division of herbaceous material, seed collection, seasonal pruning of flowering shrubs
• Routine maintenance of turf areas: mowing, fertilizer application, renovation as needed
• Participation in garden design and planning activities
• Research plant selections for inclusion in assigned collections (20%)
• Develop sources for acquiring plants and seeds; submit purchase requests and production needs
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date inventory records and accession data
• Keep plant species labeled and update nomenclature changes
• Participate in garden-wide collections inventory process
• Supervise part-time employees, student workers, and volunteers in proper horticultural procedures (20%)
• Participate in public service and educational programs (10%)
• Assist in set-up/breakdown for internal events, search committees, and programs
• Help with seasonal and major display installations and trade/flower show booths
• Assist Director of Horticulture & Grounds in achieving departmental goals (5%)
• Support other horticulture and grounds staff as needed
• Adhere to occupational and chemical safety regulations (WPS and OSHA)
• Obtain and maintain Georgia Commercial Pesticide Applicators license within six months of hire
• Perform routine maintenance of tools, vehicles, and equipment

Requirements

• Technical knowledge in horticulture acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate
• Horticultural expertise in curation and management of diverse botanical collections, including fertilization, irrigation, propagation, pruning, and pest management (including pesticide application)
• Knowledge of plant nomenclature, labeling, accessioning, and record keeping (database entry, maintenance, and label production)
• Ability to work in inclement weather (extreme heat/cold, rain)
• Occasional lifting of over 50 lbs; frequent lifting of 25 lbs
• Moderately high physical demands: reaching, stooping, kneeling
• Extended computer use
• Landscaping duties
• Valid driver’s license and driving as necessary to complete job duties

Schedule

Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Occasional weekends and weeknights for special events (e.g., Spring Plant Sale).