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The Arboretum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Curator leads the stewardship, development, and interpretation of the City of Aiken's arboretum collections, ensuring exceptional horticultural and arboricultural standards. This role combines ...

The Curator leads the stewardship, development, and interpretation of the City of Aiken's arboretum collections, ensuring exceptional horticultural and arboricultural standards. This role combines ...

Join Our Team, The Arboretum

Austin, TX · On-site

$59.50K - $76.80K/yr

Join Our Team We're opening a brand-new store in The Arboretum in May 2026 and we are looking to hire an amazing team to bring this new store to life. We're hiring Sales Associates, Stock Associates ...

Join Our Team, The Arboretum

Austin, TX · On-site

$59.50K - $76.80K/yr

Join Our Team We're opening a brand-new store in The Arboretum in May 2026 and we are looking to hire an amazing team to bring this new store to life. We're hiring Sales Associates, Stock Associates ...

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned tree-focused botanical garden located just outside of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois. With more than one million annual visitors, the Arboretum seeks an ...

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned tree-focused botanical garden located just outside of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois. With more than one million annual visitors, the Arboretum seeks an ...

Join Our Team, The Arboretum

Austin, TX · On-site

$59.50K - $76.80K/yr

Join Our Team We're opening a brand-new store in The Arboretum in May 2026 and we are looking to hire an amazing team to bring this new store to life. We're hiring Sales Associates, Stock Associates ...

Social Media Specialist

Newark, OH · On-site

$45K - $51K/yr

The Dawes Arboretum is actively recruiting a Digital Media Specialist (Social Media) to join our Marketing & Communications team. This is a full-time, exempt level position. The Digital Media ...

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned tree-focused botanical garden located just outside of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois. With more than one million annual visitors, the Arboretum seeks an ...

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned tree-focused botanical garden located just outside of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois. With more than one million annual visitors, the Arboretum seeks an ...

Social Media Specialist

Newark, OH · On-site

$45K - $51K/yr

Description The Dawes Arboretum is actively recruiting a Digital Media Specialist (Social Media) to join our Marketing & Communications team. This is a full-time, exempt level position. The Digital ...

Major Gifts Officer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$71K - $92.20K/yr

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking an experienced Major Gifts Professional to join our development team ...

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The Arboretum information

See salary details

$26K

$64.9K

$100.5K

How much do the arboretum jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for the arboretum in the United States is $64,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Arboretum Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Arboretum Manager, you need expertise in horticulture, botany, and landscape management, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience in plant science or environmental management. Familiarity with plant database systems, GIS mapping, and maintenance equipment is common, along with certifications such as ISA Certified Arborist. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help manage staff, engage the public, and oversee conservation projects. These skills ensure the health of plant collections, effective educational outreach, and the sustainable operation of the arboretum.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working at an arboretum, and how can they be managed?

Professionals at an arboretum often face challenges such as managing a diverse range of plant species, adapting to changing environmental conditions, and coordinating educational programs for visitors. Balancing horticultural maintenance with public engagement can be demanding, especially during peak visitation periods. Effective teamwork, continuous learning, and proactive communication with colleagues and volunteers are key strategies for overcoming these challenges and ensuring both the health of the collection and a positive visitor experience.

What is an arboretum?

An arboretum is a specialized botanical garden primarily devoted to the collection, cultivation, and display of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. It serves as a living museum for education, research, conservation, and public enjoyment. Arboreta often provide resources for scientific study, support biodiversity, and offer recreational opportunities for visitors to learn about different plant species.

What is the difference between The Arboretum vs The Botanical Garden?

AspectThe ArboretumThe Botanical Garden
Primary FocusTree collections and woody plantsWide variety of plants, including flowers, herbs, and trees
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, large open spacesIndoor and outdoor, often more curated
Common CertificationsHorticulture, ArboricultureHorticulture, Botany, Plant Science
Usage in IndustryResearch, conservation, educationResearch, education, display

While both The Arboretum and The Botanical Garden involve plant collections and horticultural work, The Arboretum primarily focuses on trees and woody plants in outdoor settings, often emphasizing conservation and research. The Botanical Garden features a broader variety of plants, including flowers and herbs, with a mix of indoor and outdoor displays. Certifications and work environments overlap but differ in plant focus and purpose.

More about The Arboretum jobs
What cities are hiring for The Arboretum jobs? Cities with the most The Arboretum job openings:
What states have the most The Arboretum jobs? States with the most job openings for The Arboretum jobs include:
Infographic showing various The Arboretum job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 15% As Needed, 10% Temporary, 68% Contract, 4% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 100% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $64,886 per year, or $31.2 per hour.
Arboretum Curator

$48.71K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


City Of Aiken rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

414th of 638 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Description The City of Aiken is accepting application for a Curator to join our Public Services department. The Curator leads the stewardship, development, and interpretation of the City of Aiken's arboretum collections, ensuring exceptional horticultural and arboricultural standards. This role combines strategic planning with hands-on care to preserve plant health, enhance biodiversity, and elevate visitor experience.

The Curator collaborates with staff, partners, and the community to design engaging landscapes, support educational programming, and advance the Arboretum's reputation as a premier destination for science, conservation, and public enjoyment. Examples of Duties Oversee the care, maintenance, and long-term health of trees and plant collections across the Arboretum, including Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch Conduct regular inventories and condition assessments to protect collections from damage, pests, and disease Research, source, and establish new plant material to enhance the diversity and value of the collections Ensure accurate and comprehensive plant labelling and maintain detailed records with the collections database Coordinate and conduct periodic verification of plant collections Design and implement innovative plantings and seasonal displays that align with the City's vision of integrating science, education, and visitor engagement Contribute to the Arboretum's development as a top-tier destination through thoughtful horticultural design and planning Develop plans for improvements to infrastructure, landscapes, and visitor services Collaborate with City staff and design consultants to develop and deliver interpretation of the Arboretum's collections Provide guided tours for diverse audiences, including students, community groups, and visitors Deliver lectures and presentations to civic organizations and other stakeholders Work closely with the Friends of Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch to support and deliver programs and initiatives Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to enhance the Arboretum's visibility and impact Represent the Arboretum at professional meetings, conferences, and through partnerships with other arboreta and relevant organizations Support the planning and oversight of the Arboretum's annual operating budget in collaboration with the Buildings & Grounds Administrator Coordinate with the Buildings & Grounds Administrator to plan, prioritize, and oversee horticulture staff work schedules in alignment with strategic objectives Support fundraising efforts by developing proposals and engaging with current and prospective donors Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in horticulture, botany, environmental science, forestry, biology, or other relevant field from an accredited college or university; or any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities Demonstrated experience working in a collections-based public garden or arboretum, including the design and development of horticultural features Strong knowledge of plant identification, classification systems, and best practices in horticulture and garden management Understanding of health and safety standards Knowledgeable in the safe use of pesticides Experience developing written materials for general audiences, including educational resources, or public communications Ability to support fundraising efforts Experience teaching or delivering horticultural or botanical education programs to a range of audiences Valid driver's license Preferred Qualifications: ISA Certified Arborist Valid South Carolina Pesticide Applicators License Supplemental Information This position is subject to a criminal background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

The City of Aiken is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace.