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Horticultural Educator

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Inc

Horticultural Educator

Santa Barbara, CA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Job Description

    Overview: The Horticultural Educator provides engaging, accessible programs and information about gardening with native plants to both professional landscapers and home gardeners. This position is tasked with the delivery and evaluation of the California Native Plant Landscaper Certificate Program (CNPLC) curriculum, developed by the Theodore Payne Foundation and the California Native Plant Society. Additionally, the Horticultural Educator will explore providing fee-for-service consultation to architects, landscape architects, engineers, and other large-scale projects on native plant selection and maintenance, as well as nature-based sustainable design solutions. This position will also coordinate and deliver native plant horticulture workshops on an array of topics for the general public. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an ability to provide dynamic, relevant presentations to the public, manage volunteers in a variety of tasks, research and update native plant horticultural materials, modify the existing CNPLC curriculum to apply to coastal gardening approaches in Santa Barbara and nearby communities and evaluate results. This non-exempt, full-time (40 hours per week), position reports to the Director of Education & Engagement. Essential Duties: California Native Plant Landscaper Curriculum (40%) * Deliver course contents and evaluation for 3 or more cohorts each calendar year. * Work within the Theodore Payne Foundation CNPLC online portal to communicate with, manage, and export student contacts. * Maintain a database of participants and alumni, and communicate regarding opportunities for continued involvement. * Organize virtual learning opportunities for remote students using Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. * Coordinate contracted instructors, workshops, field trips, guest speakers, and other curriculum elements. * Coordinate program delivery spaces, including at the Garden and in the community. Ensure spaces are reserved and set up for class, as well as space clean-up. * Work with the Garden's Marketing and Communications team to advertise, recruit, and manage the course. * Collect, organize, and input evaluation data. Expert Consultation (25 %) * Consult with design professionals on native plant design, landscape sustainability and maintenance specifications. * Provide site visits and design advice to homeowners looking to convert their yards to native plant landscapes. Plant With Purpose Residential Gardener Program (10%) * Help develop and deliver a multi-contact native plant horticulture program at the Garden and at least four workshops in the community, at least twice a year. * Coordinate guest speakers and experts to assist with public workshop content delivery. * Train and manage volunteer Instructional Aides who will assist with workshop logistics and support. * Outreach to community partners and develop relationships that result in the delivery of native plant horticulture workshops in the community at locations away from the Garden grounds. * Deliver webinars, lectures, and other programs for partners and community organizations. * Collect, organize, and input evaluation data. * Refine and revise course content based on evaluation program results. * Provide grant writing and reporting support. Sustainable Sites Initiative Coordinator (10%) * Serve as the Garden's project manager for our Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES) application for Existing Landscapes Pilot Program. Department and General Responsibilities (15%) * Attend regular department check-ins, program meetings, monthly All-Staff meetings, and quarterly planning meetings. * Collaborate with Education staff on interpretive materials and media. * Make presentations to conferences, partner organizations, and at meetings. * Help manage program budget. * Regularly report on accomplishments for annual reports, grant reports, and other official documents. * Produce articles and content for Garden newsletters, website Insights, social media, and other communications tools. Knowledge and Abilities: * Expertise in California native plant horticulture, from design to propagation to installation and maintenance. * Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and accuracy * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite, with an emphasis on Word Excel, and SharePoint * Able to work weekends and evenings. Most CNPL and the Plant with Purpose Residential gardening programs will be held in the evenings and on the weekends. * Able to work independently and as part of a team to further the mission of the organization. * Able to multi-task, work under pressure, and manage time to meet deadlines and priorities. * Comfortable in a fast-paced environment that requires quick turnaround and flexibility. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Qualifications and Experience: * At least three years' experience doin