Horticulture Curator -- Closing Date Extended

Join us! The City of Saint Paul is seeking a leader to provide managerial and administrative duties involving planning, organizing, directing the horticulture operation and a safe and enjoyable visitor experience at  Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

Here's what you can expect to do

• Serve as the senior manager for the collection of plants and is part of the overall Como Management team.

• Lead the team by inspiring others to work towards a shared vision, challenging self, and others to look for innovative ways to foster collaboration, trust, and team building to improve the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

• Lead the curation and management of display gardens and Campus landscape. This includes the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, greenhouses, Japanese garden, growing ranges, production facilities, outdoor gardens, Campus landscape, and zoo gardens and exhibits.   

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

For over one hundred years, Como Park has played a vital role in meeting the recreational needs of residents of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. The original vision was to create an outdoor haven for the area's urban population and provide a wide variety of free or reasonably priced recreational activities, services, and educational opportunities for all park visitors.

Today Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is operated by the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department. The zoo features seals and sea lions, a large cat exhibit, a variety of aquatic life, primates, birds, African hoofed animals, and a world class polar bear exhibit. Find out more here about the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory here.

For more information and essential functions, see our Horticulture Curator Job Description.

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals.

At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.

A Bachelor's degree in horticulture, floriculture, or a related field, and six years of experience in the propagation, planting, culture, arrangement, and exhibition of a wide variety of ornamental flowers and plants. Three years of the experience must have involved managing public gardens, such as a conservatory, botanical, landscape arboretum, or zoological gardens. The experience must meet the following requirements:

• Progressively responsible experience supervising a team

• Involvement in budget development

Must have a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (written tests part A and E) within six months of the date of appointment.

A combination of education and experience to equal 10 years or more can be used to qualify for the position.

• Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.

• Upload the following required document via the online application system. You will not be able to submit your application without this document attached. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.) 

• A resume

First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.

Assessment: Qualifications Rating

The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire and your resume. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists are typically created from a pass/fail assessment.

Those who pass the assessment will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.

Final Selection Process: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position.

Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.

Pre-Employment Screening: This position also requires a background check which may include criminal history and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying based on education.

Human Resources Contact Information:

Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519

Email: michelle.lebow@stpaul.gov

The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Veteran's Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran's preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.