DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS
- Employer
- University of Washington
- Location
- Washington, United States
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Date posted
- Mar 25, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Community Relations & Institutional Outreach
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
The University of Washington, School of Environmental
and Forest Sciences (SEFS) has an outstanding opportunity
for a Director of the University of Washington Botanic
Gardens (UWBG).
The mission of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, to
sustain managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through
plant research, display, and education, is carried out at both UWBG
locations - the Washington Park Arboretum (Arboretum) and the
Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH). UWBG manages 320 acres of
collections, research areas, and public-access spaces, has a staff
of over 40, and has an annual budget of $2.7 million from various
sources. UWBG is an accessible community asset that seeks to engage
with diverse audiences and community groups.
The 230-acre Arboretum includes a vibrant collection of more than
40,000 plants from around the world with trails to explore and
public programs for youth and adults. The Center for Urban
Horticulture includes demonstration gardens and natural areas, and
also houses the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, Otis Douglas Hyde
Herbarium, the UW Farm, and the Washington Rare Plant Care and
Conservation Program. Areas of academic strength include
restoration ecology, urban farming and forestry, sustainable urban
systems, plant conservation, horticulture, environmental education,
and plant collections. On-going strategic discussions within the
University of Washington about future interdisciplinary academic
opportunities, involving biology, landscape architecture, public
health, geography, and others, and with our partners in the
community about opportunities for greater accessibility and impact,
make this a particularly exciting time to join this dynamic
organization.
The UWBG partners with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the private
non-profit Arboretum Foundation in programming, operations, and
maintenance at the Arboretum. Following on recommendations from a
task force of members from each organization and community leaders,
we are currently exploring possible alternative models for
structuring this 86-year-old partnership. The Director will
represent UWBG and play a significant role in these on-going
conversations.
We seek a flexible leader with demonstrated organizational,
interpersonal, communication, planning, fundraising, and fiscal
skills. The Director is the primary representative of the UWBG and
its academic and public engagement missions to the University and
to the greater Seattle area community. Strong abilities in
strategic and entrepreneurial organizational leadership are needed.
The Director will partner with academic leadership to provide a
platform that serves to advance the university’s leadership in
community-engaged scholarship and opportunities for student
engagement in UWBG programs and facilities. The Director will also
partner with members of the community, the City of Seattle, and
non-profit organizations to develop and implement a collaborative
vision for the facilities, programming, and management of the
Arboretum. The Director will encourage and aid the development of
new initiatives, directions, and innovation, and will champion
ongoing successes. We seek a leader who prioritizes diversity and
equity in all decisions and programs, and with a vision for more
diverse community engagement in all programs of the UWBG. A vision
that includes programs and engages topics related to environmental
justice, racial disparities, Indigenous representation, and/or
impacts of racism and colonization in urban environments and
expands access and equity in program participation is
essential.
For candidates with credentials as a distinguished practitioner,
distinguished academician, or with commensurate teaching, research,
and service responsibilities, a Professor of Practice appointment
in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, with
concomitant opportunities to engage in teaching and research, is
possible.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Manage UWBG Operations
•Lead the UWBG management team
•Partner with UW leadership, Arboretum Foundation, and Seattle
Parks and Recreation to coordinate maintenance and development of
collections and physical infrastructure
•Support development, prioritization, and operation of education,
research, library, farm, conference center, and curation
activities
•Oversee management of the building facilities at CUH and the
Arboretum
•Collaborate with UW faculty on promoting and developing the UWBG
research and education programs
•Represent the University on mitigation matters related to the SR
520 Bridge Replacement project, especially as they apply to the
Washington Park Arboretum and University of Washington Botanic
Gardens; includes coordinating with Native American tribes, and
other community groups
•Serve as lead person for UWBG in the implementation of the master
plan for the Washington Park Arboretum, which focuses on
conservation, education, and recreation
•Facilitate a revised master plan for the Center for Urban
Horticulture and provide leadership in partnership to develop a new
master plan for the Arboretum.
•Work with the new Academic Director to facilitate research and
education programming at UWBG
•Support and promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all
aspects of the program and administrative processes
Communication, Public Engagement, and
Advancement
•Lead UWBG’s fundraising efforts to maintain and expand its donor
base. Partner with UW Advancement team, the Arboretum Foundation,
Miller Charitable Foundation, and others.
•Participate in and facilitate positive organizational change in
supporting relationships with partner organizations.
•Work with multiple foundations, government organizations, and
donors
•Maintain and facilitate active engagement with the community
horticultural organizations, including the Northwest Horticultural
Society, the Seattle Garden Club
•Encourage entrepreneurship in seeking new opportunities for
funding, programs, and impact
•In conjunction with the Academic Director, advance the role of
UWBG in the academic activities of the University of Washington
faculty
•Engage and coordinate with regional, national, and international
partnerships across arboreta and botanical gardens to support
mutual program outreach, program innovation, and resource
sharing
•Represent UWBG to the Washington State Legislature and Seattle
City Council on issues such as budgets, opportunities, and
projects
•Work with the Dean of the College of the Environment, the Director
of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, and others in
the UW Administration
•Serve on various committees within the UW, the UW Botanic Gardens,
and externally
•Seek and engage in nation-to-nation collaborations working with
the native peoples of the Salish Sea
Financial and Administrative
•Oversee budget process and decision making
•Identify and prioritize resource needs across the multiple
purposes served by UWBG
•Oversee management of revenue, gift, and state budgets
•Direct management of senior staff, oversee management of over 40
staff members
•Lead the UWBG management team
•Serve as lead person for UWBG in the implementation of the master
plan for the Washington Park Arboretum, which focuses on
conservation, education, and recreation
•Oversee management of the building facilities at CUH and the
Arboretum
The University of Washington is building a culturally diverse
student body and workforce. SEFS works to create a dedicated team
of educators capable of enabling our students to explore and
interpret the rich array of disciplines and perspectives that they
will encounter. Therefore, we seek candidates whose leadership,
research, and/or teaching have not only prepared them to fulfill
our commitment to equity and inclusion, but have also given them
the ability to engage audiences from a wide spectrum of
backgrounds, and have led them to develop strategies for engaging
communities of color, low income communities, disabled communities
and/or LGBTQIA communities.
REQUIREMENTS:
•Master’s degree in horticulture, conservation, ecological
restoration, plant physiology, urban ecology, environmental
justice, business administration, public affairs or related field
and at least five years of experience in leadership and management
of public or private gardens or other environmental or natural
resources non-profits.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum
qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as
license/certification/registration.
DESIRED:
•PhD in horticulture, conservation, ecological restoration, plant
physiology, urban ecology, environmental justice, or related
field.
To apply, submit a letter of application and resume to https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/ENG/Candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=jobprofile&szOrderID=188518
Requisition #188518.
Applications accepted until filled, with priority for review for applications received by May 1, 2021.
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