Nursery Manager

Job Description

Working closely with the Director of Conservation Programs, the Nursery Manager will direct and
oversee growing operations within the nursery facilities at the California Botanic Garden. Major duties
include training and supervision of staff, project management, oversight of plant propagation and
maintenance of nursery facilities, and oversight of field collection of seeds and cuttings for plant
propagation. Specific projects may include seed bulking, propagation trials, and the production of
thousands of plants annually under contract.

The Nursery Manager will assist the Director of Conservation Programs in developing budgets, project
proposals, and management of contracts and grants including writing reports and producing invoices,
and demonstrates a commitment toward increasing the impact of the program through developing new
partnerships and projects. This position is responsible for meeting the deliverables outlined in contracts,
grants and agreements for a variety of partners including government agencies, environmental
consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.

The Nursery Manager will work closely with project partners to maintain and develop working
relationships with relevant stakeholders. This position plays a central role to advance the Garden’s
mission of conservation and restoration of California native plants and habitats and to promote the
Garden as a leader in best practices in horticulture and restoration. This is a full-time (40 hours per
week), exempt position that reports to the Director of Conservation Programs and works with the
Biodiversity Science & Conservation and Horticulture teams.

About Us

California Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants, promoting botany, conservation and horticulture to inspire, inform and educate the public and scientific community about California’s native flora. The Garden is a living museum with curated collections of more than 22,000 California native plants, some of which are rare or endangered. Spread across 86 acres in Claremont, California, the Garden is located approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. The Garden displays about 2000 taxa of California plants and includes those native to the California Floristic Province.

Duties & Responsibilities

 Under cooperative agreements, contracts and grants between California Botanic Garden and
other organizations, oversee the management of plant propagation projects for restoration and
reintroduction including project management and reporting.
 Oversee the production of plants for the Garden’s Living Collection and the Garden’s retail
nursery (GNN)
 In conjunction with the Director of Conservation Programs, prepare and adhere to the annual
budget.
 Train and supervise organizational volunteers, interns, staff, and students.
 Oversee field collections for plant propagation projects.
 Work with the Director of Conservation Program to prepare written proposals for grants,
agreements, and contracts for propagation projects that support restoration and ex-situ
conservation.
 Oversee record keeping and data management.
 Prepare quarterly and final reports for multiple projects.
 Oversee the implementation of best management practices in the nursery
 With support from the Maintenance team, manage and maintain all Nursery systems and
structures including: two greenhouses (3000 sq ft), two liner houses (3000 sq ft), benches, and
shaded areas (14,000 sq ft total across several areas). Coordinate with Maintenance team for
repairs including routine maintenance and renovations including capital improvement projects.
 Maintain up-to-date Best Management Practices Manual, chemical/material inventories, and
other safety documentation.
 Work with the Business Office staff to ensure accurate and complete plant inventory tracking.
 Contribute to written articles for the Garden’s newsletters, website and social media outlets as
requested.

Education and Experience

 Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in ecological restoration, horticulture or related field
 Extensive knowledge of California native plants, including horticultural experience working with
rare and more common species
 Supervisory experience
 A working knowledge of basic taxonomic principles and characteristics of major plant families
and California flora.
 Experience in project management
 Experience supervising staff and working with volunteers
 Excellent organizational skills, accuracy in financial tracking and reporting
 Knowledge of horticulture practices with an emphasis on conservation horticulture
 Valid driver’s license.

Additional Information

 Ability to conduct fieldwork and nursery work under a variety of environmental conditions (heat,
cold, rain, etc.) is required.
 Ability to walk in uneven terrain through thick chaparral is required.
 Ability to lift 40 lbs is required.

Salary Range
$69,000–80,000 commensurate with experience. Full Time, Salaried

CalBG is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible
dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision
insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, bereavement,
etc.) and more.

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates please send cover letter and resume to:
Naomi Fraga, Director of Conservation Programs
nfraga@calbg.org