Job Description

The University of California Botanical Garden (UCBG) is a living museum that features one of the most diverse plant collections in the United States. Established in 1890, the Garden’s 34 acres contain over 12,000 taxas and more than 20,000 accessions (including many rare and endangered species) from all over the world arranged by region. The Mission Statement for the UCBG is “to develop and maintain a diverse living collection of plants to support teaching and worldwide research in plant biology, further the conservation of plant diversity, and promote public understanding and appreciation of plants and the natural environment.”
The Horticulturists are expected to maintain the health and attractiveness of the living collections in their assigned areas. This is accomplished with a high degree of independence, and due to the complexity of the collection, requires a high level of skill and training beyond standard horticultural maintenance. They are also expected to participate in the curation of the Botanical Garden collection which involves the maintenance of plant information (plant records), conservation of the plant collection, and collection development. The incumbents are expected to be knowledgeable about the plants contained within their collections and to act as an authority on these groups. The health and attractiveness of the collection is key to the overall success of the Garden. The use of the Garden for research, education, and enjoyment is dependent upon the work of the horticulturists.

About Us

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Duties & Responsibilities

Horticulture Maintenance

• Watering, fertilizing, mulching, amending the soil, weeding, pruning, raking, planting, and other activities involved in cultivating plants.
• Assessing the watering needs of the collection through knowledge of drip and/or low volume and conventional irrigation systems; altering systems as needed.
• Recognizing insect and plant pathogen problems within the collection and either alleviating the problem or mitigating conditions contributing to the issue using IPM methodology.
• Maintaining the aesthetic or cultural style(s) appropriate for the collection through enhancement, supplementation, and routine alterations of plant displays in horticulturists’ areas.
• Initiating requests to the nursery propagator for re-propagation of existing plant material and new seed acquisitions to maintain the integrity of the Garden collections.
• Working with and directing volunteers, students, and interns.
• Performing construction and reconstruction projects, including path and road work, resurfacing and grading paths with road base, repairing rock work, bed edging, and stairways, keeping paths, roads, and streams clear of debris, and controlling erosion in planted and traffic areas with berms, water bars, drainage systems, and application of jute.
• Using garden equipment, including but not limited to a pick-up truck and van (which may be used off-site as assigned), go-cart, chipper/shredder, power weed cutters, rototiller, and caterpillar.
• Applying horticultural chemicals as needed.

Curation

• Maintaining plant information (records), conservation of the plant collection, and collection development.
• Initiating requests (coordinated with the Curatorial office) for taxonomic updates, revisions, and/or determinations for plants and their areas.
• Performing record-keeping duties, including mapping, imaging, initiating record change forms, plant removal forms, and label requests.
• Maintaining plant labels in assigned area(s).
• Participating in approved collection travel to scout collection sites, voucher specimens, and collect seeds and other material from worldwide sources. Maintaining accurate and detailed field notes.
• Researching the growth habits of plants and determining conditions (e.g., soil type, light) needed to cultivate them.
• Serving as an expert on the growth habits of plants from the particular geographic area for which the Museum Scientist is responsible.
• Deciding where the collections need to be amended (increased/decreased).
• Corresponding with other gardens and collectors to obtain new wild-collected plants (Plants with Provenance).
• Working with the Curator/Assistant Curator to decide which plants to select and send/exchange with cooperating institutional gardens.

Area Development

• Initiating improvements and development of assigned area(s).
• Routine development is performed with a high degree of independence, involving continuing evaluation and reassessment of plantings, revising the planting schemes, replanting, conducting library research, acquiring plants, and improving displays for enhanced interpretation and/or horticultural success.
Education
• Working with IB 112 students in the Horticultural Methods class.
• Participating in training and interpreting assigned areas for volunteers through tours and/or written materials.
• Assisting in the preparation of interpretive materials and acquiring plants to illustrate educational themes.
• Assisting with public outreach programs, as needed.
• Writing articles for Garden publications and/or botanical or horticultural journals is encouraged.
• Providing expertise and tours to visiting clientele.

Miscellaneous

• Attending professional meetings, seminars, and symposia to promote personal and professional growth, at the discretion of Garden management and consistent with Garden scheduling priorities.
• Assisting at Plant Sales and other fundraisers.
• Taking on weekend staffing responsibilities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field, and/or equivalent experience• Working knowledge of basic landscape maintenance, including various irrigation systems operations, troubleshooting and repair.
• Ability to work independently, set and meet objectives, and coordinate objectives with other members of the staff.
• Familiarity with the establishment/maintenance of natural community-based gardens.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and to research collection acquisitions and their horticultural requirements through botanical literature.
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of staff, volunteers and the public.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must.
• Ability to perform physical labor, including lifting up to 100 lbs. on occasion.
• Valid CA driver’s license required.

Additional Information

• The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 8, $33.18/hr – Step 16, $38.86/hr. This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html 

Application Instructions

Please apply on the University of California Berkeley Job site below and search for job # 73364 in keywords:

https://jobs.berkeley.edu/job-listings/external-applicants

Application Deadline:

October 31, 2024