Associate Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
The Assistant Curator supports the planning, maintenance, and development of plant collections within the Botanical Gardens. This role assists in implementing horticultural standards, maintaining cultivation records, and supporting educational programming. The position also contributes to land management efforts and public engagement through tours and interpretive content.
This position works directly under the supervision of the Curator and trains and supervises volunteers, interns and federal work study students to assist with these duties. Maintenance of the plant collections includes planting, pruning, fertilizing the plants in accordance with industry guidelines.
Responsibilities
Assist in maintaining plant collections to high horticultural standards. Support land management activities related to native and invasive species. Implement best practices for plant health and care. Contribute to seasonal and container planting designs.
Plants, prunes, and fertilize plants within the Botanical Gardens' collections. Monitors irrigation system and waters as needed. Treats plants for insect and disease issues using appropriate chemicals and/or agents. Weed plant beds and mulch them as appropriate. Monitors plants in the Plant Shop, repots plants into appropriate containers, and restocks propagated plants as needed.
Trains and supervises volunteers to assist with the activities listed above. Works with the Curator to supervise interns and federal work study students. Assists in the review and editing of student work products. Organizes volunteer work assignments including Plant Festivals and special events.
Collaborate with Program Assistant on educational content and visitor engagement. Participate in public tours and talks about the Botanical Gardens.
Maintains collections' database. Operates signage machinery and produces landscape signage as needed.
Perform other duties as needed.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor of Science degree in related field (ex. botany, plant biology, horticulture)
• At least 1-2 years of experience maintaining plant collections or nursery operations
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Basic horticultural design and plant care knowledge
• Knowledge of planting, pruning, fertilizing, and mowing
• Ability to identify native and invasive plant species
• Competence in maintaining plant records and databases
• Strong communication skills for public engagement
• Ability to assist with educational programming
Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Florida native and invasive species
• ISA certification (e.g., Certified Arborist)
• FDACS certified Pesticide Application license desired, but not required
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.