About the Role
Reporting directly to the Associate Curator, Orchids, this position involves working closely with the orchid collection across various settings such as conservatories, greenhouses, gardens, and public display spaces. The primary responsibilities include cultivating, conserving, developing, and enhancing orchid collections to support both The Huntington's initiatives and the broader conservation and research efforts of the botanical community. While working closely with the Associate Curator, Orchids to determine optimal horticultural practices, the incumbent should also demonstrate the ability to work independently in decision-making processes. Additionally, the role entails assisting the Associate Curator, Orchids, with the supervision of interns, volunteers, and docents and supporting special projects on an as-needed basis.
S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.
Essential Duties
- Maintains orchid collections to the highest standards of cultivation quality and health through hands- on activities such as planting, repotting, grooming, weeding, watering, and applying fertilizers and pesticides to orchids and other assigned plants
- Tracks all orchids in collections in accordance with accessions policies, ensures all plants are appropriately and permanently labeled; maintains provenance of plant origin and propagation history
- Works closely with the Plant Records and GIS Mapping Specialist to manage digital records of the orchid collection, including the mapping of orchids throughout the gardens
- Collaborates with other staff to ensure orchid collections support defined and approved uses and purposes, as described in appendices to the Living Collections Policy
- Works with Associate Curator, Orchids, and supervisors to strengthen collection through acquisition and hybridization/selection
- Collaborates with conservation research staff to advance orchid conservation initiatives, with a focus on preserving naturally occurring species and significant hybrid clones/forms through asexual and in- vitro propagation techniques
- In accordance with established procedures, culls collection to support focus, purpose, and quality
- Supervise interns, volunteers, and docents, ensuring adherence to safety policies and procedures
- Attends to issues of legal acquisition and ownership to ensure Huntington activities support applicable regional, national, and international laws and regulations regarding orchids
- Serves as an ambassador of The Huntington, offering interpretations of the orchid collection through presentations, programs, lectures, guided tours, workshops, classes, interviews, and the creation of temporary and permanent exhibitions and displays for the orchid and plant community, as well as the general public
- Coordinates with Botanical staff and colleagues from other divisions such as Administration, Advancement, Education, and Communications to enhance the educational and interpretive value of the collection
- Assists Associate Curator, Orchids, and other staff on special projects
- May assist with minor construction
- Monitors the impact of construction on plant materials during construction and during other non- related activities in the gardens
- Maintain and restock equipment and supplies as necessary, ensuring timely repairs when needed
- Works extra hours on weekends or evenings for specific functions, such as orchid shows, symposia, conferences, and judgings, as approved in advance by supervisors
- Assists with monitoring the condition of growing and display areas
- Assists in organizing and cataloging physical and digital assets relating to the orchid collection
- May travel to collect, study, or expand training related to orchids
- May perform other related duties as assigned.
Candidate Requirements and Experience
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Must possess a bachelor's degree or higher in botany, biology, ecology, horticulture, or a related field, or demonstrate a commitment to completing such a degree, by providing an expected graduation date, academic graduation plan, and college transcripts
- 3-5 years of experience in a botanical garden or similar environment
- A comprehensive understanding of horticulture may be obtained by completing college-level coursework in Horticulture or a related field, or through relevant education or experience
- Special knowledge, training, and skills in orchid science, history, and culture
- Knowledge of plant material and general horticulture
- Skill and capacity to use systems that support accessioning and inventorying
- Knowledge of safe gardening and work practices and chemical usage
- Available to work extra hours (sometimes on weekends) for specific functions such as symposia, events, festivals, etc.
Preferred:
- 3-5 years of experience cultivating orchids, including planting, potting, dividing, grooming, weeding, watering, use and care of equipment, etc.
- Experience supervising employees and/or volunteers is desirable.
Working Conditions
- Must be present in the botanical gardens, conservatories, and support nursery, working along with horticulturalists in all weather conditions
- Use of tools and equipment is common
- Ability to perform physical work in the gardens which may include bending, pulling, stooping, hauling, and lifting up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
Compensation & Benefits
We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:
- Pay Rate: $21.00/hr.
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- 403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
- Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
- Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
- Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
- Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds
