UC Botanical Garden - Staff

Job Description Posting Title: Plant Propagation Program Co-ordinator

Requisition: 008993

Department: UC Botanical Garden

Location: Off Campus-Berkeley

First Review date: 09/08/2008
This requisition will remain open until filled.

Job Description: This position combines Volunteer Propagator Program Management and Volunteer Coordination. The incumbent will oversee the Garden’s Volunteer Propagation Program, which produces plants for sale in the Garden’s Plant Sales Deck and two annual Plant Sales, and oversees the monthly special weekend sales events. As the Volunteer Coordination, the incumbent will assist in the selection of volunteer propagators and train, evaluate and organize them.

Responsibilities: Oversight of the Volunteer Propagation Program includes participating in the selection and cultivation of plants to maintain and enhance the Demonstration/Crops of the World Garden, and the supervision of students and volunteers working in this garden. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating plant production and sales success; developing criteria for plants to be included in the program and determining their marketability; ensuring that procedures and policies are followed as directed by Garden management. The incumbent will establish priorities for the volunteer propagator program such as, selecting special plants to propagate, promoting new plant introductions to the horticulture industry and the general public, distributing plant donations, allocating physical space, as well as participating in long range planning for this program,. Under the direction of the Associate Director of Collections and Horticulture, the incumbent will participate in efforts to generate funding sources for the Volunteer Propagation Program including grant writing, donor cultivation and special events. The incumbent answers public questions by phone or in person.

As the Volunteer Coordinator, the incumbent will coordinate work schedules and assignments of volunteers to insure adequate care for plants and to meet established goals; make recommendations to Garden management for planning and development of volunteer propagator physical space; insure adequate maintenance of existing facilities, purchase and maintain adequate supplies and equipment as needed and utilize facilities staff as appropriate. The incumbent will serve as a liaison with the Horticulture Staff and will facilitate continuing education for the Volunteer Propagators. The incumbent supervises student assistants as available.

Special Projects: The incumbent arranges for the production and/or acquisition of novel and unusual plants for the “silent auctions”, assists other horticulture staff with the selection and production of novel plants for horticultural expositions and special offerings, as well as other special events as directed. The incumbent will act as a resource to the Volunteer Propagator Program and the Horticulture staff in matters of plant propagation and new plant introduction. The incumbent will be involved in marketing through submission of articles, contact with local and national media, and work on the Garden website, in collaboration with the Garden’s marketing and development staff. Other special projects as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications: Demonstrated plant propagation experience. Basic horticultural skills and knowledge Demonstrated supervisory experience. Basic technology skills (data base, digital photo/computer interface skills, etc). Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to organize, direct and delegate work of volunteers in order to meet program objectives.

Preferred Abilities, Knowledge and Skills: Experience supervising volunteers Broad knowledge base in horticultural practices Familiarity with current retail nursery and landscape design trends Professional association with members of the greater Bay Area horticulture and landscaping fields.

Apply on-line: http://jobs.berkeley.edu/