Assistant Curator

The Assistant Curator supports the planning maintenance and development of plant collections within the Botanical Gardens. This role assists in implementing horticultural standards maintaining cultivation records and supporting educational programming. The position also contributes to land management efforts and public engagement through tours and interpretive content.

This position works directly under the supervision of the Curator and trains and supervises volunteers interns and federal work study students to assist with these duties. Maintenance of the plant collections includes planting pruning fertilizing the plants in accordance with industry guidelines.

Assist in maintaining plant collections to high horticultural standards. Support land management activities related to native and invasive species. Implement best practices for plant health and care. Contribute to seasonal and container planting designs.

Plants prunes and fertilize plants within the Botanical Gardens collections. Monitors irrigation system and waters as needed. Treats plants for insect and disease issues using appropriate chemicals and/or agents. Weed plant beds and mulch them as appropriate. Monitors plants in the Plant Shop repots plants into appropriate containers and restocks propagated plants as needed.

Trains and supervises volunteers to assist with the activities listed above. Works with the Curator to supervise interns and federal work study students. Assists in the review and editing of student work products. Organizes volunteer work assignments including Plant Festivals and special events.

Collaborate with Program Assistant on educational content and visitor engagement. Participate in public tours and talks about the Botanical Gardens.

Maintains collections database. Operates signage machinery and produces landscape signage as needed.

Perform other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science degree in related field (ex. botany plant biology horticulture)
At least 12 years of experience maintaining plant collections or nursery operations

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a masters degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure certification or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

Basic horticultural design and plant care knowledge
Knowledge of planting pruning fertilizing and mowing
Ability to identify native and invasive plant species
Competence in maintaining plant records and databases
Strong communication skills for public engagement
Ability to assist with educational programming

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with Florida native and invasive species
ISA certification (e.g. Certified Arborist)
FDACS certified Pesticide Application license desired but not required