Camellia Horticulturist

This is a full-time hourly 40 hour per week non-exempt position and may include some evening and / or

weekend hours depending on the needs of the organization.

The Camellia Horticulturist is responsible for Descanso's historic and largest plant collection, the

Camellia Forest. One of the largest camellia collections in the U.S., the Camellia Forest at Descanso has

an estimated 6,000 camellia plants including 42 unique species and over 600 cultivars. Care and

revitalization of the current collection as well as development of new areas emphasizing camellias will

be an essential part of the position. The candidate should be skilled at camellia culture and

identification. Familiarity with current developments and best practices in the camellia conservation

community is a plus. The Camellia Horticulturist will be responsible for leading gardeners and

volunteers through the ongoing cultivation of plants throughout the Camellia Forest.

Additionally, the Camellia Horticulturist cares for Descanso's Japanese Garden and a significant

collection of over 100 species and varieties of cycads in the Ancient Forest. The candidate will be

expected to have a working knowledge of the needs of all these areas in order to further the mission

and development of each. To this end, a significant part of this responsibility is working with the Garden

Records Coordinator, the Education Department, and the Director of Horticulture to ensure the best

possible documentation, mapping, interpretation and care of these collections. Additionally, networking

and participation with other public gardens and with related local and national plant societies is

required. This position requires an astute knowledge of botanical nomenclature, exemplary horticultural

skills, and the ability to perform hard physical labor, a collaborative work ethic, and a personable

attitude toward the public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to :

• Responsible for planning, preparing and executing a strategy for the Camellia Forest, Ancient

Forest, and Japanese Garden collections at Descanso Gardens.

staking, pruning, dead wooding, removing plants, and other general gardening duties.

encouragement.

Other Duties :

with Public Programs in the presentation of horticulture talks, the offering of tours, classes, and docent

training. This position is occasionally responsible for writing articles that appear in the Descanso Gardens

Newsletter, or other publications.

Records Coordinator to facilitate accessioning of new plants, deaccessioning of dead plants, mapping,

and the production of public identification labels and accession tags.

the management of the Descanso Gardens landscape and collections.

EQUIPMENT USED :

This position is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of a full range of manual and power

tools; standard manual, electric, and gas powered gardening equipment and tools including weed whip,

chainsaw, pole saw and pole pruner, bypass pruner, lopper and folding saw; electric carts, company

trucks, skid steer, tractor; computer and two-way radio.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS :

of trees, shrubs, and perennials using organic horticultural techniques.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

This is an outdoor physically-orientated and demanding position which requires :

motor vehicle or paved road.

accessible by paved roads or dirt trails.

ongoing basis.

Compensation :

$24.00 to $26.00 per hour

To apply : Interested parties may apply by submitting a MS Word or PDF Letter of Interest and Resume with HORT2025 in the subject line. Only those meeting the minimum requirements and submitting all required information may be contacted for further inquiry. We will accept resumes until the position is filled.

No phone calls, please.

Descanso Gardens Guild Inc. acknowledges that equal opportunity for all persons is a fundamental

human value. Each employee will be considered on the basis of individual ability and merit, without

regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.