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Botanical Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Manager

Carlsbad, CA ยท On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Join the Kratom Kava Bar Team as an Assistant Manager! Be part of a mission-driven, wellness ... Kratom and botanical beverages. We're committed to education, transparency, and helping our ...

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Botanical Assistant information

See California salary details

$10

$66

$124

How much do botanical assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for botanical assistant in California is $66.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.03 and $91.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a botanical assistant?

Botanical Assistants are professionals who support botanists and researchers in studying plants and their environments. Their tasks often include collecting plant samples, maintaining greenhouse environments, recording data, and assisting with experiments. They may work in laboratories, botanical gardens, research institutions, or in the field. Botanical Assistants play a crucial role in plant conservation, research, and education by providing essential technical and practical support. This entry-level position is ideal for those interested in plant sciences and ecology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a botanical assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Botanical Assistant, you need foundational knowledge in botany or plant sciences, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, plant identification software, and data collection tools is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work well in a team are important soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for supporting research, maintaining plant specimens, and ensuring accurate data collection in botanical projects.

What are some common challenges faced by botanical assistants when working in research or greenhouse environments?

Botanical Assistants often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise environmental conditions for plant growth, managing pests and diseases, and ensuring accurate data collection for ongoing experiments. They may need to adapt quickly to shifting project priorities or seasonal changes that impact plant care routines. Successfully collaborating with researchers, horticulturists, and other team members is essential for troubleshooting issues and achieving research objectives, making strong communication skills and flexibility highly valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Botanical Assistant vs Horticultural Technician?

AspectBotanical AssistantHorticultural Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer botanical or plant science courseworkHigh school diploma; some positions may require horticultural certifications or associate's degree
Work EnvironmentGreenhouses, botanical gardens, research facilitiesNurseries, parks, landscaping companies, botanical gardens
Industry UsageResearch institutions, botanical gardens, plant conservation projectsLandscaping, garden centers, public parks, horticultural services

Botanical Assistants typically support botanical research and conservation efforts in controlled environments, while Horticultural Technicians focus on plant care, landscaping, and maintenance in outdoor or commercial settings. Both roles require plant knowledge but differ in work environment and specific duties.

What cities in California are hiring for Botanical Assistant jobs?

Cities in California with the most Botanical Assistant job openings:

Botanical Events Assistant, On Call

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

San Marino, CA โ€ข On-site

Part-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

About Us
At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
The Huntington
Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.
The Culture
Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do - from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond. Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies.
At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.
  • Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.
  • Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.
  • Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.
  • Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.
  • Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

Job Description
About the Role
The On-Call Botanical Event Assistant supports the Botanical Department by providing on-site operational support for events, programs, and meetings, with a focus on evening and weekend coverage as needed. This role serves as the primary day-of contact, helping ensure events run smoothly and in accordance with institutional policies and approved event plans. Responsibilities include opening and securing facilities, supporting event setup and logistics, and coordinating with staff, vendors, volunteers, and Security. The position plays an important role in protecting Huntington property while providing professional, responsive support to facilitate successful events and programs.
S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.
Essential Duties
  • Serves as On-Site Event Contact - Act as the primary day-of liaison between Huntington staff, vendors, volunteers, and event personnel, helping to address questions and resolve issues in coordination with Botanical Division staff.
  • Supports Event Operations - Assist with day-of event logistics and operations, which may include opening and securing facilities, coordinating vendor activity, supporting guest transportation, assisting with check-in and wayfinding, providing basic A/V support, and helping with light hospitality setup such as coffee service.
  • Monitors Event Activity and Compliance - Observe and monitor assigned event areas, vendors, and personnel to ensure adherence to The Huntington's property policies and the approved Event Plan provided by the Botanical Office Manager.
  • Coordinates with Security - Communicate with assigned Security Officers to support appropriate access, movement, and adherence to established protocols for vendors and event personnel.
  • Protects Facilities and Grounds - Oversee event setup and equipment placement to prevent damage to Huntington property and minimize disruption to visitors, staff, and garden operations.
  • Provides Occasional Administrative Support - Assist the Botanical Office with administrative tasks as needed, including responding to inquiries and supporting Botanical Division programs and client-facing events.
  • May perform other related duties as assigned

Candidate Requirements and Experience
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • High school diploma or relevant work experience.
  • Event production and/or hospitality experience preferred.
  • An active California driver's license is required.
  • Strong written and verbal skills.
  • Well-organized and detail oriented.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of
  • constituents.
  • Ability to problem-solve and adapt to unexpected circumstances.
  • Motivated self-starter with a passion for providing excellent customer service.
  • Able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects while maintaining a positive and calm
  • demeanor.
  • Able to work nights and weekends.
  • Have the strength to lift, move, or pull up to 30 pounds.
  • Must be proficient in the latest versions of Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Working Conditions
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must have visual acuity and ability to communicate quickly to identify and address safety and security concerns.
  • Must be able to access and traverse across a large campus on paved and unpaved roads and work in all weather conditions.
  • Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.

Compensation & Benefits
We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:
  • Pay Rate: $20.00/hr.
  • Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
  • Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
  • Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds

The Application Process
Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.
You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the "My Experience" section of the application.