Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Horticultural Botanist

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a passionate and knowledgeable Horticultural Botanist to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role involves the curation, management, and scientific study of our living plant collections. The ideal candidate will blend deep botanical expertise with hands-on horticultural skill, driving a science-based approach to the care, development, and interpretation of our collections. You will be instrumental in advancing our mission of conservation, research, and education, ensuring our gardens and greenhouses are not only beautiful but also scientifically valuable and inspirationally engaging for all visitors. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on our botanical legacy and contribute to global plant conservation efforts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Research Assistant (Botany/Ecology)
Horticulturist or Senior Gardener
Greenhouse or Nursery Manager
Recent MS or PhD Graduate in Plant Science

Advancement To:

Curator of Living Collections
Director of Horticulture
Senior Research Scientist
Head of Conservation Programs

Lateral Moves:

Plant Breeder
Conservation Scientist
Collections Database Manager
Public Engagement & Education Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage and scientifically curate designated living plant collections, ensuring the highest standards of horticultural care, accurate taxonomic identification, and detailed record-keeping.
Develop and implement comprehensive plant health care strategies, including advanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soil health analysis, and tailored fertilization programs.
Conduct and oversee diverse plant propagation activities, including seed banking, germination trials, vegetative cuttings, grafting, and potentially tissue culture, to enhance and preserve collections.
Lead and participate in botanical research projects focused on plant taxonomy, genetics, phenology, and ecology, with the goal of producing peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Design, install, and meticulously maintain specialized garden displays, thematic exhibits, and conservation habitats that are both aesthetically compelling and botanically accurate.
Plan and execute botanical field collection expeditions, both locally and internationally, to acquire new plant material, ensuring compliance with all legal protocols and ethical guidelines (e.g., CITES, CBD).
Monitor, document, and analyze plant phenological data and responses to environmental stressors, contributing to long-term climate change research and adaptive management strategies.
Develop and manage sophisticated irrigation plans for diverse collections, utilizing water conservation technologies and strategies to ensure optimal plant health across varied microclimates.
Train, supervise, and mentor horticulture staff, interns, and volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous learning in botanical best practices.
Collaborate closely with the education and interpretation departments to develop and deliver engaging public programs, workshops, tours, and digital content.
Author and review technical and interpretive content for plant labels, interactive displays, and institutional publications to enrich the visitor experience and disseminate scientific knowledge.
Ensure full compliance with all institutional, local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to plant importation, endangered species, and pesticide application.
Manage dedicated greenhouse, nursery, and other controlled environments, including climate control systems, lighting, and sanitation protocols for optimal plant growth.
Evaluate new plant introductions and cultivars for their taxonomic accuracy, hardiness, pest resistance, and suitability for inclusion in the living collections.
Develop and implement conservation action plans for rare, threatened, and endangered plant species within the collection, including participation in multi-institutional conservation networks.
Maintain a highly accurate and detailed inventory of the living collections using specialized database software (e.g., IrisBG, BG-BASE), including all accessioning, deaccessioning, and mapping data.
Diagnose complex plant diseases, pest infestations, and physiological disorders, and prescribe and implement effective and environmentally sensitive treatments.
Participate in inter-departmental strategic planning to advance the institution's mission in horticulture, research, education, and conservation.
Prepare and manage annual budgets for specific collections or garden areas, including the procurement of supplies, specialized tools, and plant materials.
Utilize GIS and GPS technologies to precisely map plant collections and manage spatial data for collections management, research, and landscape planning.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc botanical research requests and exploratory data analysis of our extensive collection data.
Contribute to the ongoing development of the organization's Living Collections Policy and long-term acquisition strategy.
Collaborate with facilities and operations units to coordinate major garden projects, infrastructure upgrades, and site work.
Participate in and present at professional conferences, representing the institution and networking within the broader public garden and botanical science community.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert knowledge of plant taxonomy, systematic botany, and correct use of botanical nomenclature.
Proficiency in a wide range of horticultural techniques, including advanced pruning, propagation, soil science, and planting design.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and diagnosing plant health issues.
High competency in using plant collection management databases such as IrisBG, BG-BASE, or similar platforms.
Skilled in greenhouse and nursery production, including the management of environmental control systems.
Strong understanding of plant physiology and ecological principles as they apply to a garden setting.
Experience with botanical field collection methods, herbarium specimen preparation, and permitting processes.
Ability to safely operate and maintain a variety of horticultural equipment, from small hand tools to larger machinery.
Proficiency in scientific research methodology, experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
Working knowledge of ex-situ and in-situ plant conservation principles and techniques.
Familiarity with GIS/GPS for mapping and spatial data management.

Soft Skills

Exceptional problem-solving and keen observational skills for diagnosing nuanced plant health and collection issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt content for scientific, professional, and public audiences.

Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities for guiding and developing staff, interns, and volunteers.

Meticulous attention to detail, crucial for accurate record-keeping, plant identification, and experimental data.
Proven ability to work effectively both independently on self-directed projects and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
Robust project management and organizational skills to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Physical stamina and adaptability to work outdoors for extended periods in a variety of challenging weather conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (MS) or Doctorate (PhD)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Botany
Horticulture
Plant Science
Ecology
Conservation Biology
Biology (with a plant concentration)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of progressive, hands-on experience in a professional capacity at a botanical garden, arboretum, university, or related research institution.

Preferred:

Direct experience in the curation of a taxonomically-diverse, documented living plant collection. Prior experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers is highly desirable. A record of scientific or popular publications is a plus.