Employment Opportunities
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. We do not tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind.
Fairchild is a Drug-Free workplace.
Nursery Horticulturist
REPORTS TO: Plant Introduction Manager and Director of Collections
JOB TYPE: Full-Time
SALARY: Commensurate with Experience
LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida
POSITION OBJECTIVES:
Manage, improve, interpret, and promote Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden as a world-class horticultural institution. Provide leadership and vision to guide volunteers and staff members in propagating and growing plants for the Garden.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Horticulture & Plant Propagation
- Grow plants to the highest possible standard, maintaining the health and diversity of Fairchild’s scientific collections while maximizing aesthetic appeal.
- Work with the Horticulture team to organize plant propagation.
- The Nursery Horticulturist is responsible for advancing plant propagation, hybridization, cultivation, and documentation of plant material from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s collections and beyond.
Nursery Operations & Maintenance
- Conduct regular inspections of nursery facilities and address any issues that might affect safety (e.g. slippery pathways).
- Propagate plants from collections using appropriate horticultural techniques, including cuttings, divisions, and controlled pollination.
- Work closely with the Plants Record Manager to ensure all documentation of plants comply with institutional standards.
- Coordinate propagation for sales initiatives with the Plant Introduction Manager.
- Coordinate with the Nursery Managers and related staff to ensure plants are properly maintained and monitored for health.
- Coordinate with Nursery Managers to inspect irrigation, climate control, pest management, and sanitation practices within assigned growing areas.
- Contribute to storm preparation efforts prior to arrival of tropical storms or hurricanes, including triage protection measures, and cleanup activities when storm damage occurs.
Volunteer Leadership and Supervision
- Provide hands-on supervision, training, and mentorship to volunteers working in plant propagation and nursery operations.
- Develop clear daily work plans to ensure volunteers understand horticultural best practices, safety standards, and institutional procedures.
- Foster a collaborate, inclusive, and educational volunteer environment that encourages skill development and long-term engagement.
- Model professional horticultural techniques and reinforce high standards of plant care, documentation, and nursery organization.
Education and Outreach
- Support Education, Marketing, and Special Events departments with horticultural interpretation and programming.
- Participate in Fairchild’s teaching programs, leading classes and tours for students, members, and the public.
- Assist with Fairchild’s initiatives to establish, curate, and interpret tropical plant collections in public and private landscapes throughout South Florida.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- A degree in Horticulture preferred but not required.
- Previous experience of working in a professional nursery setting is a plus.
- Must be able to commit to a flexible schedule.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prolonged periods standing.
- Must be able to push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to bend, stoop, climb, reach, and lift up to 40 pounds at a time.
- Must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
To apply please submit cover letter and resume to
Retail & Admissions Associate
REPORTS TO: Retail Manager
JOB TYPE: Part Time
SALARY: $16/hr
LOCATION: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida
Retail Associates should be prepared to work as part of a team by being friendly, courteous, and respectful of fellow team members and expressing a positive attitude. They are expected to be active salespeople and provide exceptional guest services. Associates work with a sense of urgency within designated time frames in order to complete tasks and actively seek out new assignments. Associates should arrive on time and be ready to work at the start of their shift. Associates are expected to work standing and walking throughout their shift, but sitting or driving may also be included in the day’s tasks. They frequently lift up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, and are expected to climb ladders while holding merchandise. They are expected to work in both indoor and outdoor environments according to their assigned tasks for the day
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Greeting, making eye contact, smiling, and starting conversations with all guests.
- Educating self about products in order to share this knowledge with guests. Educating self about Garden promotions, activities, and initiatives with the ability to express them to guests. Understanding and expressing all membership promotions, donation programs, and Shop sales. Educating self about daily activities and events as listed on the daily sheet or as received via email. Participating in daily morning update meetings.
- Selling tickets, merchandise, and memberships following The Shop at Fairchild’s Membership and Sales script.
- Providing accurate, factual, and engaging information about the Garden and its programs/initiatives.
- Resolving basic membership problems, referring complicated issues to the membership department.
- Preparing food and coffee, cleaning the food sales area, and stocking the food sales area following daily checklists.
- Answering phones in a friendly and welcoming way. Processing phone or special orders.
- Working on the sales floor when not busy at the register, either on assigned tasks or by seeking out new tasks.
- Assisting customers with items in the jewelry case, items in backstock, and heavy or bulky items.
- Following all cash handling and inventory control procedures of The Shop at Fairchild. Operating the cash register in an efficient and knowledgeable manner.
- Unpacking and verifying merchandise deliveries. Stocking shelves, including regularly rotating products. Restocking and straightening items on shelves. Putting backstock and understock away underneath displays and in the closet, in a neat, organized, and efficient manner. Performing inventory counts as assigned.
- Building eye-catching, relevant, and timely merchandise displays.
- Resolving all guest complaints, involving a supervisor if necessary. Answering all guest questions, including researching answers and following up with guests
- Welcoming group tours, processing the group quickly and efficiently, and directing group to their activities for the day.
- Working as part of the Visitor Services team by substituting in other areas of the department, including but not limited to Admissions Chalets, Group Tour Sales, South Gate, Reception, Information Desk, kiosk duty, shuttle and tram service, and Visitor Services volunteer supervision.
- Opening and closing store, and providing basic customer service resolution, in the absence of a manager.
- Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum 1-2 years experience in Retail Sales and/or Customer Service
- Hospitality experience a plus
- Strong project management skills
- Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
- Excellent verbal and written comprehension and communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and maintain a calm demeanor in a stressful environment
- Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States
- Must be able to lift up to 30lbs
To apply please submit cover letter and resume to HR@fairchildgarden.org
