Curator of Living Collections

  EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

 
CURATOR OF LIVING COLLECTIONS

The Dawes Arboretum exists to inspire a love and knowledge of trees, nature, and the natural world through education, conservation, research, and community engagement. At the heart of that mission are our living collections, which provide opportunities for conservation, scientific research, education, and meaningful connections with the natural world.

We are seeking an experienced Curator of Living Collections to provide leadership and stewardship of The Dawes Arboretum’s living plant collections. This position will help guide the development, management, research, and long-term planning of our collections while ensuring they remain diverse, scientifically valuable, well-documented, and aligned with the Arboretum’s mission.

If you are passionate about plants, conservation, research, and the thoughtful stewardship of living collections , and enjoy collaborating with others to turn that expertise into meaningful impact—we would love to hear from you.

ROLE INFORMATION

As the Curator of Living Collections, you will provide expertise and leadership in the stewardship, development, and use of the Arboretum’s living collections. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Science & Research, Land Management, Nursery, Plant Records, Development, and other areas of the organization to support conservation, research, education, and collection planning.

Responsibilities can include, but are not limited to:

  Living Collections Management

• Develop and manage strategies to ensure the Arboretum’s living collections are diverse, robust, accredited, and positioned for long-term growth and sustainability.

• Maintain and implement the Arboretum’s Collection Policy and Living Collections Management Plan, with an emphasis on mission relevance, wild-known origin, and ex-situ conservation.

• Partner with the Plant Records Manager to support plant labeling, inventories, and accurate , up-to-date plant records.

• Collaborate with the Nursery Manager on the propagation and acquisition of appropriate plants for the collections.

• Partner with the Land Manager on collection management, providing technical and horticultural expertise while balancing collection size and growth.

Research & Conservation

• Lead research involving the living collections that complement current research priorities established by the Director of Science & Research.

• Support the use of the Arboretum’s living collections as a resource for research, conservation, biodiversity, and scientific discovery.

• Participate in peer organization meetings, professional symposia, conferences, and other opportunities to represent the Science & Research team and The Dawes Arboretum.

Education & Community Engagement

• Create opportunities for visitors and the community to engage with the Arboretum’s living collections through relevant educational experiences, programs, and tours.

• Serve as a visible representative of the Science & Research team within The Arboretum and the broader community.

Leadership & Administration

• Lead and develop assigned staff by establishing clear expectations, providing regular feedback and coaching, evaluating performance, and supporting professional growth.

• Monitor budgets and expenditures to ensure expenses remain within established limits, and appropriate fiscal practices are followed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in plant science, horticulture, or a related field; Masters p referred

• Demonstrated experience on grant-funded research preferred; experience identifying and obtaining funding for research is a plus.

• Demonstrated awareness of current best practices in the field.

• Four (4) years of plant curation and research experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Two (2) years of demonstrated supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Strong technical and horticultural knowledge with the ability to apply expertise to living collection planning, management, research, and conservation.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working collaboratively across departments and disciplines.

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to work outside normal business hours and respond during emergencies as needed.

Why You Will Love Working Here

At The Arboretum , you will find more than a job; you will find a place where your work makes a meaningful difference every day. You will join a collaborative team that values integrity, respect, continuous learning, and genuine care for one another. Your ideas will be welcomed, your contributions will be recognized, and your work will directly support an organization dedicated to inspiring curiosity, advancing conservation, fostering scientific research, and connecting people with the natural world.

If you are looking for a role when you can truly make an impact, this is it! You will find a mission worth supporting colleagues who are passionate about their work, and an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on an organization that values people as much as purpose. Come help us cultivate a workplace where our people and our mission continue to grow ! 

This full-time, exempt position offers a starting salary of $60,000 - $75 ,000 based on qualifications and experience.

The Dawes Arboretum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at The Arboretum will be made without regard or consideration of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other protected status. The Dawes Arboretum values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment.