[PCA] JOB: CNPS Horticulture Program Director (Sacramento, CA)

[Kwong, Olivia]

Horticulture Program Director
Job Announcement
June 2013

About CNPS
Founded in 1965, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a
science‐based non‐profit organization dedicated to increasing understanding
and appreciation of California’s native plants, and to conserving them and
their natural habitats. The Society’s administrative and technical staff
facilitates and supports the work of the chapters and implements statewide
programs. The Society is headquartered in Sacramento. CNPS has more than
9,300 members organized in 34 chapters, including the newly‐formed Baja
California Chapter.

CNPS Native Plant Horticulture Program
While the Horticulture Program Director is a new staff position, native
plant gardening and horticulture have been fundamental to CNPS since the
earliest days of the organization. Chapter plant sales are
important fundraising tools. Garden tours and Horticulture Symposia have
attracted hundreds of new members. CNPS promotion of native plant
horticulture has resulted in broad acceptance of the concept, and thousands
of individuals and businesses are now involved in native plant gardening.
CNPS will continue these successful activities, while reinvesting in native
plant gardening resources and initiatives that inspire and serve
long‐term conservation of our precious plants and plant communities.

Job Summary
CNPS is seeking a Horticulture Program Director who will be an articulate
and inspiring advocate for California native plant horticulture. The
Horticulture Program Director is a new staff position, and the
successful applicant will help chart the course of California’s oldest and
most recognized native plant gardening program.

The successful candidate will join a growing professional staff and be part
of a committed team that includes hundreds of smart and dedicated
volunteers. This position requires an organized, highly
collaborative, strategic individual. He/she will collaborate to update CNPS
native plant horticulture strategies and program goals, and will lead in
developing ongoing financial support to maintain this important position.
The Director will support existing chapter horticulture activities
(including trainings, symposia, garden tours, nurseries), while working
with leaders to share successful models and develop new initiatives. He/she
will work with other CNPS staff to develop outreach materials and
communication tools, including assisting with publication of horticulture
books and supervising the completion of an online horticulture database.

The Horticulture Program Director must work closely with CNPS chapters and
members to listen to their needs and to support and coordinate the numerous
successful CNPS horticulture projects underway throughout the state. The
Director will work closely with CNPS staff, partners, and volunteers to:
integrate horticulture into other CNPS programs; to apply conservation and
plant science in shaping the horticulture program; and to maintain the
excellence of the organization. He/she also communicates with a wide range
of organizational and agency partners, and collaborates with these partners
to promote the appropriate use of native plants in gardens and landscaping
throughout California.

Duties and Responsibilities
Program growth and development

   - Serve as the primary point of contact for the CNPS horticultural
   program.
   - Collaborate with a variety of partners and stakeholders (including
   CNPS horticulture program committee, staff, and volunteers) to develop
   vision for the CNPS Horticulture Program, update program goals, and develop
   strategy.
   - Implement goals and strategy, in partnership with CNPS chapters and
   partners.
   - Develop science‐based standards and guidelines for appropriate native
   plant horticulture.
   - Engage with agencies, districts, and organizations to build
   partnerships that promote widespread and appropriate use of native plants.
   - Develop funding proposals, apply for grants, and engage donors to
   obtain funding for the Horticulture Program Director position and for key
   Horticulture Program projects.

Communications and Outreach

   - Become a public voice on horticultural topics, translating scientific
   concepts into everyday language and compelling calls to action.
   - Coordinate delivery of trainings and workshops, including the very
   successful CNPS Horticulture Symposia.
   - Promote CNPS horticulture activities and events, including providing
   guidance in maintaining the CNPS horticulture events calendar.
   - Publicize program and activities, including assisting with and
   coordinating development of press releases and articles, and supporting a
   speaker’s bureau serving monthly chapter programs.
   - Work with partners to gather and disseminate the information and
   successful protocols that has been developed by CNPS chapters and others,
   for the benefit of the general public.
   - Maintain current and relevant information on the CNPS website
   Horticulture area, and coordinate volunteer writers to develop articles
   about native plant horticulture for CNPS publications including Fremontia,
   Bulletin and eNews.
   - Lead the development of a web‐based interactive online horticulture
   database that makes the wealth of CNPS horticulture information available
   to the gardening public.
   - Serve as point of contact for CNPS Press projects involving native
   plant horticulture, and help the Publications Committee identify valuable
   book projects in that topic area
   - Support members and chapters
   - Provide information, assistance, and support to chapter‐based
   horticulture efforts.
   - Represent chapter and volunteer needs across the organization.
   - Maintain excellent awareness of chapter horticulture projects and
   activities, and coordinate sharing of tools and approaches among chapters.
   - Provide support to chapter newsletter editors and program chairs to
   ensure they have abundant material focused on native plant horticulture.

Job Qualifications

   - Bachelor’s with a minimum of two year of experience in a comparable
   position, or minimum of five years of experience in lieu of Bachelor’s
   degree.
   - Knowledge of native plants throughout California.
   - A proven record demonstrating broad knowledge of commercial and
   noncommercial aspects of native plant horticulture, including at least some
   of the following: home gardening, school gardens, plant selection,
   availability in the trade, landscaping design and installation, plant
   propagation, nursery management, plant sales, botanic gardens or arboreta,
   design industry private sector companies, private sector landscaping
   companies, community and homeowners associations.
   - Understanding of conservation benefits and concerns associated with
   native plant gardening, including genetics and hybridization,
   phytosanitation, and tradeoffs associated with ex situ conservation.
   - Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with people of
   different backgrounds.
   - Skill at scoping projects and developing successful funding proposals.
   Skill at communicating with discriminating and committed donors to ensure
   continued support.
   - Ability to independently and efficiently plan and manage multiple
   complex projects simultaneously.
   - Ability to communicate the value and benefits of native plant
   horticulture, in public presentations and in writing, to a diversity of
   audiences.
   - Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to translate
   scientific concepts into everyday language and compelling calls to action,
   and enthusiasm for communicating with chapters and others about the program
   and about gardening with natives.

Additional Desired Skills

   - Fluency in Spanish or other languages spoken by California gardeners
   and horticulture professionals.
   - Familiarity with website, web database, web map user interfaces and
   design.

Physical Requirements

   - The requirements described here are representative of those that must
   be met, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
   with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job requires
   prolonged sitting and use of computer and mouse. It also requires ability
   to participate in field trips, including walking uneven trails with
   variable grade of several miles in length.

Additional Job Requirements

   - Working with volunteers and partners requires travel throughout
   California. Work travel is reimbursed.
   - Some evening and weekend work is required to meet deadlines or to
   participate in meetings.
   - A valid California driver’s license and proof of car insurance are
   required, provided annually.

Status
This is an exempt, permanent, full time staff position eligible for
benefits.

Supervision
The Horticulture Program Director works under supervision of the CNPS
Executive Director.

Compensation and benefits
Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience. CNPS
offers benefits that are competitive with non‐profit organizations of
comparable size, including full payment of employee health
insurance premiums, retirement match, and paid vacation.

To Apply
Please email cover letter and resume to Dan Gluesenkamp at dan at CNPS.org.
Subject line of email should read “Horticulture job application.”

This is a full time, Sacramento‐based position. Please explain in cover
letter if you seek special arrangements such as location other than
Sacramento area, job sharing, part time, or unusual working hours.

Position is open until filled. Review of applications begins July 9, 2013.

The California Native Plant Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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