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Academic Professional Associate supporting Plant Instruction (Founders Memorial Garden Curator and

Employer
University of Georgia
Location
Georgia, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Jan 22, 2021


Posting Details

Posting Number F0817P Working Title Academic Professional Associate supporting Plant Instruction (Founders Memorial Garden Curator and Instructor) Department CED-Founder's Memorial Garden About the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia ( UGA ), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). UGA is currently ranked among the top 15 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department College/Unit/Department website ced.uga.edu Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Underutilization Advertised Salary 50,000 Anticipated Start Date 04/01/2021 Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings) Job Posting Date 01/22/2021 Job Closing Date Open until filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of application will begin immediately.

Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).


Position Details

Classification Title Academic Professional AC FLSA Faculty Rank Academic Professional Associate Contract Type Fiscal (12 mo.) Tenure Status Non-Tenure Track Minimum Qualifications

Terminal degree in a disciplinary area appropriate for the position (as defined in the job posting)

Position Summary

The UGA College of Environment & Design ( CED ) has been responsible for maintaining the Founders Memorial Garden ( FMG ), a 2.5 acre historic public garden, since it was developed in 1938 to teach landscape architecture students plant form and use in designed spaces. The FMG Curator and Instructor position manages this living laboratory for instruction and research purposes, as well as the health, safety and welfare of the visiting public (faculty, staff, students, alumni, citizens of Athens and out of town guests) who can access it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Garden occupies a visually prominent location on UGA’s historic North Campus. An American Society of Landscape Architects ( ASLA ) Centennial award-winner, the Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hence, it must be curated to consistent high standards.

The Garden’s use for instruction and research call for a trained professional with a sophisticated set of horticultural and artistic skills to properly care for the space. Therefore, the position requires a unique combination of instruction, research, and garden management skills. The successful applicant must be knowledgeable in horticulture, planting design, and contemporary garden maintenance techniques, as well as have a deep appreciation for the history of the site and its role in UGA, CED, Athens, and the Garden Club’s history. The successful applicant will interact with the public to convey that message of appreciation.

CED invites applications for a full-time Academic Professional Associate with the following position responsibilities listed by priority: 1) Curator of the Founders Memorial Garden ( FMG ), which includes the 2.5 acre plant collection in a historic-designed landscape with three historic structures; 2) Head Horticulturist; and 3) Instructor. The position requires a great deal of independent decision-making, self-motivation, and self-direction.

As FMG Curator, the successful applicant will advise on and supervise implementation of decisions that have short and long-term impacts on the garden resources. The kinds of decisions the FMG Curator may address include: advise and coordinate with the CED FMG Faculty liaison and the FMG Advisory Board to develop and implement plans and repairs to FMG facilities including analyzing existing conditions and current and long-range needs for the purposes of strategic planning and long-term management of the site (e.g., advice on appropriate locations for additonal lighting, etc.); document garden features (paving, plants, statuary, etc.) via continuous and systematic recordkeeping, such as electronic ( CAD, etc.) updating of FMG maps and spreadsheets; make decisions regarding needs or changes for physical safety and access; manage and maintain the grounds; supervise student workers to implement desired changes; and coordinate with University Facilities Management personnel to guide interior and exterior building conservation and maintenance, design, and installation of annual plant display beds, debris removal, animal control, and similar tasks. The successful applicant will have an appreciation for the history of the Garden and will consult with CED’s Historic Preservation and Landscape Architecture faculty, as well as members of the FMG Advisory Board, regarding standards and guidelines for the needs of the historic-designed landscape and its historic buildings.

As Head Horticulturalist of the FMG, the expectation is twofold: work in tandem with and advise CED’s FMG Faculty liaison regarding plant material needs for instructional and research purposes, and physical sculpting of the garden by working with and supervising student workers to do the same. The Horticulturalist will observe and supervise the FMG daily. Therefore, the Horticulturalist must have the professional and artistic expertise to advise CED’s FMG Faculty liaison regarding needs for removal and additions of plant materials to the Garden for instructional needs, as well as for enhancing the long-term Garden’s aesthetic quality. Further, the Horticulturalist and the student workers may need to physically address issues that negatively impact plant materials, if they cannot be used for instruction purposes (i.e. soil diseases, too much shade so plant materials are either pruned or repositioned to allow more sun into the garden, etc.). The enhanced horticultural skill set that the successful applicant will bring is critical for making short and long-term decisions about plant materials and planting design in the Garden as a living laboratory. Head horticulturalist will supervise and/or perform grounds maintenance duties that may include activities such as mowing, weeding, leaf removal, pruning and operating various types of grounds equipment, including mowers, back pack blowers, weed trimmers, edgers, as well as any type work deemed necessary. Duties are performed with independence. Employee may supervise someone or personally drive a truck and some light construction equipment, hence takes responsibility for safe and efficient operation.

As Instructor, the successful applicant will teach 1-2 courses per year in the CED . The Instructor’s supervisory and garden maintenance experience will greatly enhance the experiential learning of CED’s and other students on campus. They students will acquire unique knowledge through their work in the living garden laboratory. The instructor will provide instructional support for CED’s curriculum needs and classes, where necessary (e.g., guest lectures, site visits by other classes, etc.).

Job Duties (duties performed on a daily or almost daily basis)

20% Instruction
Instruct 1 course and, if necessary, 2 courses per year, in the field of plant identification, plant maintenance, garden curation, and garden maintenance techniques. Instruct CED student workers on garden maintenance techniques in support of the CED mission to balance traditional academic instruction with hands-on experience. Provide instructional support for CED curriculum needs/classes by assisting students and faculty in plant identification, garden curation, maintenance techniques, etc.

10% Research
Scholarly/professional research is expected and may include pursuit of external funding to support graduate assistants. Use of FMG as a base for research ideas and/or working with UGA and other partners on experiments is encouraged. Expectation is to participate in regional/national forums to present and, potentially, publish research and showcase creative work. The CED considers creative work as part of its scholarly/research mission.

70% Service/Outreach
Using professional training and enhanced horticultural skills and artistry, the successful applicant’s service and outreach role encompasses a breadth of responsibilities for the supervision and curation of FMG’s historic and contemporary features. Curation tasks may include: mowing, leaf and limb pickup, fertilization, pruning, spraying, irrigation and irrigation system repair as needed; maintenance of all hardscape materials and structures and/or responsibility for scheduling, instructing, and supervising students to perform the above-listed tasks in order to make the curation goals a reality. Weekly maintenance of the interior plants in CED’s Jackson Street Building, Tanner Building, and Denmark Hall is also expected.

Supervision responsibilities may also include preparation of FMG for activities and events such as CED classes, graduation, honors day, and other receptions, as well as non- CED events for related groups. This may include the set-up and storage of CED’s tent, tables, chairs and other necessary equipment & materials on weekdays and infrequently, on weekends and/or evenings.

Responsibilities also include monitoring the use of the FMG by visitors to ensure the education and safety of visitors while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the FMG collection-plants, hardscape, and structures. As needed, provide FMG history and horticultural information to students, faculty, and visitors.

Additional Requirements

Candidates should have a PhD in horticulture, landscape architecture or a related field or an MLA from an accredited university. Candidates with non-terminal master’s degrees will also be considered. Those candidates must document exceptional accomplishments in horticulture, landscape architecture or related area and must be approved for a terminal degree exception before hire. Candidates should hold certifications for application of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides necessary for ornamental gardens or provide evidence that certification can be obtained within six months of the hire date. Candidates must also have a background that includes garden collection curation, employee supervision, instruction, and plant and garden maintenance.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

The successful applicant will have an appreciation for the history of the site and its role in UGA, CED, Athens, and Garden Club history.

Physical Demands

*Stand/walk for long periods of time to instruct students at various places across campus.
*Stand/walk, stoop, bend, work from a standard and extended ladder, and work with hands above head.
*Perform duties under adverse weather and/or climate conditions (rain, heat and cold).
*Lift and move 50 lbs during an 8.0 hour work day.

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.



Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Founders Memorial Garden Curator

Percentage Of Time 100 Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

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