Director of Education and Horticulture

Description

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Education & Horticulture Director leads innovative programs that advance CNPS biodiversity campaigns by connecting people meaningfully with native plants, generating science on the biodiversity benefits of native plant gardening to inform policy advocacy, and collaborating with native plant industry partners to advance shared goals. The director leads a department responsible for guiding and supporting education, community science, horticulture, and restoration programming across CNPS and its 35 chapters. Key projects and initiatives include (and are not limited to) : CNPS’s Calscape native plant platform, the triennial CNPS Conference (held next in February 2026), coalition-building within the native plant industry, and organization-wide education and community science projects.

The director is a strategic leader, coalition builder, and ambassador for the urban biodiversity campaign, collaborating across CNPS teams, chapters, and a broad network of external partners to integrate native plants into urban landscapes and transform the built environment. The director is also an effective organizational leader who will build and support a cohesive education and horticulture team, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and guide the development of educational tools and engagement practices that empower chapter volunteers to deliver exciting and culturally relevant programming.

The director is part of CNPS’s senior leadership team, comprised of three other directors, two senior directors, and the executive director. The director leads a skilled team of eight staff, including two direct reports, in delivering inclusive and accessible programming aligned with CNPS’s strategic plan and biodiversity campaigns. This work includes educational programming that engages people in learning about and forming deeper connections with native plants; community science that meets the needs of communities and addresses gaps in biodiversity science; and stewardship activities that promote the responsible use and protection of native plants and their habitats, with a focus on native plant horticulture and habitat restoration.

Additional Information

• Hybrid, full-time position (exempt).
• Standard hours : Monday - Friday, 8 : 30 AM - 5 : 00 PM, with some flexibility.

What You'll Do

Strategic and Campaign Leadership (55%)

Organizational Leadership & Project Management (25%)

Fundraising & Grant Development (10%)

Event & Conference Planning, and other responsibilities as directed (10%)

Who You Are

Strategic Leadership & Campaign Expertise :

Project & Organizational Management :

Education, Community Science, Horticulture, & Restoration :

Team Leadership & Collaboration :

Technology & Communication :

Equity & Values Alignment :

Nice to Have

While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one - and ideally more than one - of the following :

Location

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) hybrid position open to residents of California. The role is based out of the CNPS Sacramento office, with an in-office presence required. In-office presence is currently expected for one day per week to support collaboration, attend director meetings, and participate in departmental programming, trainings, and meetups. This schedule may change periodically based on program needs and partner engagement. To support regular office attendance, we strongly prefer applicants who live or are willing to relocate to within 100 miles of Sacramento, and applicants within 60 miles of the office will receive preference. The role also involves occasional statewide travel to attend meetings and events, facilitate in-person training programs, and transport equipment and supplies. Travel to external sites will be reimbursed.

Physical Requirements

This job can require prolonged sitting and the use of a computer and mouse. It may require participation in field trips on uneven trails with variable grades. These requirements are representative, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

What You'll Get

Compensation : Starting annual compensation between $105,740 – 113,949.

Performance Based Compensation Increases : Employees may receive up to a 3.8% performance-based annual rate increase.

Health Insurance : 100% coverage of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance.

Retirement Plan : 401(k) plan with up to 6% matching contributions, available immediately upon employment.

Flexible Spending Accounts : Options for a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and Transportation Savings Account (TSA).

Paid Leave : 13 holidays, 12 sick / wellness days, and 15 vacation days.

Parental Leave : 12 weeks of paid parental leave, after one year of employment.

Work-from-Home Support : CNPS-issued laptop, a $750 home office stipend and a $60 / month telework stipend.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : Comprehensive support for employees and their families.

Professional Development : Annual budget of $500 and 32 hours for professional development opportunities.

Team Building : Attendance at annual staff team building and training events.

Membership : Complimentary CNPS Society membership.

Bragging Rights : "Superhero to the Planet" status for your contributions to conservation.

The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization (www.cnps.org) founded in 1965, with more than 13,000 members in 35 chapters across California and Baja California Norte, Mexico. The mission of CNPS is to protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Native plants are the foundation of California’s globally significant biodiversity. CNPS is meeting this critical moment for biodiversity and climate action by supporting and catalyzing statewide efforts to conserve public lands, save sensitive species and habitats, and create thriving native plant habitats in our urban spaces.

Equal Opportunity Policy

CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS's commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee.