12 Month Lecturer/Arboretum Manager

The Plant Sciences Department (PLSC) within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA invites applications for a full time, 12-month lecturer position. Applications will be reviewed starting January 20, 2023.

Under the general supervision of the PLSC Department Head, the position involves:

• Teaching: courses related to design, propagation, installation, and maintenance of plantscapes outdoors and indoors. Other courses deemed appropriate to the expertise of the individual and needs of the department.
• Curriculum development: as the campus converts from the quarter to semester system there will an opportunity for the position to develop courses that are relevant to sustainable landscaping and arboretum activities.
• Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum management: In consultation with Department Head of Plant Sciences and the CAFES Dean, the position will work independently and will assume responsibility for the wide diversity of tasks and daily operation of the Leaning Pine Arboretum including ensuring the Leaning Pine Arboretum and all associated operations are running smoothly, efficiently, and safely,   coordinating and overseeing support technicians and students, and working directly with faculty to facilitate specific instructional and pertinent research activities.   
• Faculty advisor: the position will be an advisor to the FFA State Finals Nursery and Landscape competition, the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) team or other student extracurricular landscape activities as needed.
• Establish an active relationship with other university faculty and researchers, leaders in the landscape industry, students, and the general public to provide information and leadership related to landscape horticulture.
• In addition, candidates should be able to provide practical experience and individualized student-learning opportunities such as experiential classes, undergraduate and graduate research projects.

The successful candidate will also serve as the liaison for the Leaning Pine Arboretum with the on-campus and off-campus community. This position will serve as public educator and an ambassador for the Leaning Pine Arboretum in a wide variety of public settings, support and represent the Leaning Pine Arboretum’s advocacy and community engagement work as needed in public forums, committees, and related settings.

Further, this position will create and implement an annual fundraising plan and tracking system to diversify, renew and increase contributions. In coordination with faculty, support labs and activities for instructional needs of PLSC and other departments such as Biological Sciences and Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences that are associated with the Leaning Pine Arboretum.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Oversight of student employees.
• Assist in following all federal and state regulations and university policy.
• Assist in the record maintenance associated with the operations of the Leaning Pine Arboretum.
• Service activities will include participation on department, college, and university committees and instructionally related activities.

Range and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected.  The salary schedule information for the Lecturer – AY Classification is available based on the following ranges: Range 2, Range 3, Range 4 and Range 5. To view more detail about the ranges, please visit: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/compensation/Pages/salary-schedule.aspx#-Keyword=lecturer-ClassNum=2358-Class=0-CBID=R03-Date=1-PLYear=2022-PLNumber=2209-Recs=15

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Required Qualifications/Specialized Skills:

B.S. in the area of Plant Sciences such as horticulture, arboriculture, plant ecology, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, or related discipline.  

Demonstrated increasing responsibility in arboretum management including planning, reporting, planting, maintenance and personnel supervision.

Particular attention will be given to those applicants with a demonstrated ability for effective teaching and professional activity.

Demonstrated academic excellence in the area of plant science, effective communication, and interpersonal skills such as providing feedback to students in a timely and educationally effective manner. Ability to be a productive team player and to interact well with peers, students, industry, government agencies, and the general public is essential.

Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to set priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.

Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, the Internet, as well as online calendaring and email.

Demonstrated leadership skills, sound judgement, management, organizational and decision-making skills, strategic thinker, motivator, collaborative management style and self-directed.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

Preference will be given to candidates any of the following: Master’s Degree in the area of plant sciences, teaching experience in plant sciences, demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude, proven supervisory skills in recruiting and coaching staff, students, and volunteers, direct experience in planning and managing fundraising events and programs, experience with volunteers: overseeing recruitment, management, motivation and retention, passionate about nature, horticulture, sustainability and conservation.

Preference will be given to candidates with a possession of ISA Certified Arborist license and CDPR Qualified Applicators Certificate.

The ability to collaborate with faculty across the College and University is desirable.

Candidates who have international experience or the desire to cultivate international links are preferred.

Preference will be given to those with experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive and inclusive environment. Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.