Indoor Collections Manager
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Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $101,000.00
Job Requisition ID: 134830WD
Position Focus
Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Student and Public Engagement, the Indoor Collections Manager develops and implements a strategic vision to advance the Marsh Botanical Garden's tropical and desert plant collections for teaching, research, conservation, and public engagement. With more than 1,100 living accessions under management, the position combines hands-on horticultural and curatorial responsibilities with administrative oversight, collections documentation, educational collaboration, and public engagement.
Principal Responsibilities
- Collections Management & Curation. Strategically curates and maintains tropical, desert, and other indoor collections, including propagation, acquisition, recordkeeping, labeling, and routine care. Updates accession databases to reflect acquisitions and deaccessions; integrates MBG collections with Yale's Lux portal. Monitors greenhouse environments and automated systems. Implements conservation strategies. Responds to emergencies affecting collections, such as equipment failures or extreme weather.
- Exhibit & Display Preparation. Designs and installs plant displays for laboratory teaching, public programs, and tours. Prepares interpretive materials and coordinates exhibit logistics with University faculty and staff from the Yale Peabody Museum and other museums and departments.
- Educational Program Support. Develops instructional materials and supports undergraduate and graduate courses. Sources and curates specimens for lab use and teaching demonstrations. Collaborates with faculty to align plant propagation, selection, and labeling with course-specific curricula. Leads tours and educational sessions for students and visitors.
- Public & Scholarly Engagement. Supports faculty, students, and researchers requiring access to indoor collections. Mentors interns, employees, and seasonal staff. Supports outreach and interpretive programs.
- Administrative & Operational Support. Manages procurement for greenhouse operations and maintains administrative records. Coordinates facility needs with Yale Facilities.
- Strategic & Professional Development. Contributes to planning, conservation initiatives, and professional activities. Represents the Garden in the regional professional horticulture field and in relevant professional organizations and societies.
Some weekend and holiday work is required for emergency response and greenhouse operations.
Skills & Abilities
1. Strong taxonomic, horticultural, and recordkeeping skills.
2. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
3. Self-directed with the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed; ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, ability to solve problems, and to be a team player.
4. Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and follow through on multiple projects simultaneously while paying close attention to detail and adhering to
Preferred Education and Experience
1. Advanced degree in botany or public horticulture.
2. Botanical garden or conservatory greenhouse experience.
3. Experience with BG-BASE or similar plant databases; experience with ArcGIS.
4. Experience with educational programming.
5. Should have, or be willing to acquire, CT Pesticide Applicator License and CT Driver's License.
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift 40 lbs and work on ladders.