We are on the mission to save the local plants and places in California with head and heart. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) combines science, education, nature conservation and gardening in order to operate the local plant movement. Read on to see what happens now.
The CNPS Director of Education and Horticulture Leads innovative programs that drive CNPS campaigns for biodiversity by combining people with local plants, generating science about the advantages of the biological diversity of the local plant gardeners in order to inform the political interest groups, and to work with partners of the local plant industry in order to promote common goals. The director heads a department that is responsible for the management and support of educational, community science, gardening and restoration programs in CNPs and its 35 chapters. The most important projects and initiatives include (and are not limited): CNPS 'CALSCAPE Native Platform Platform, the Triennale CNPS conference (next February 2026), the construction of the coalition structure within the native plant industry as well as organizational-wide educational and community science projects.
The director is a strategic guide, coalition manufacturer and ambassador for the city diversity of Urban Biodiversity. With cooperation with CNPS teams, chapters and a wide network of external partners to integrate local plants into urban landscapes and to transform the built environment. The director is also an effective organizational leader, the coherent team for educational and horticultural team, promoted cross-departmental cooperation and the development of educational instruments and commitment practices that enable the volunteers of chapters to provide exciting and culturally relevant programs.
The director is part of the CNPS senior leadership team, which consists of three other directors, two leading directors and the managing director. The director heads a qualified team of eight employees, including two direct reports, to provide integrative and accessible programs that are organized with the strategic plan and biodiversity campaigns of CNPs. This work includes educational programs that help people learn to learn through local plants and form deeper connections. Community Science that meets the needs of communities and concerns gaps in biological diversity; and Stewardship activities that promote responsible use and protection of local plants and their habitats, with the focus on horticulture for local plants and restoration of habitats.
What you will do:
Strategic and campaign management (55%)
- Carry out strategic planning to align education and horticultural programs with CNPS campaigns for nature conservation and urban biodiversity.
- Provision of managers for the urban biodiversity campaign of CNPs, including cooperation with public affairs and political employees, coalition structure with local partners in the vegetable industry and the maintenance of trust relationships with tribal, academic, non-profit and private employees.
- Develop concepts to lead discussions about the development of a future CNPS public Education Center.
Organizational management and project management (25%)
- Leading annual departmental planning and budget development.
- Direct the design and implementation of programming in education, community science, horticulture and restoration.
- Mentor employee, partners with department heads to define and follow project and personnel services goals, to give feedback, to support the professional development and carry out performance checks.
- Support the collaborative development and implementation of organizational project management processes.
- Establish logs and leadership cultivation to improve internal cooperation and synergy.
- Strengthen the employees and the joint cooperation between the volunteers to support chapter activities.
Fundraising & Grant Development (10%)
- Work with the development team and the Executive Director to maintain partnerships with foundations, organizations and government agencies and to finance them with funds. Scholarship and contract development and implementation.
Event & conference planning and other responsibilities as stated (10%)
- Provision of planning and implementing the Triennial CNPS conference (under the direction of the education manager for education and community and supported by an external event planning consultant).
- Support other management tasks as specified.
Location:
This is a full-time hybrid position (40 hours a week) that is open to the residents of California. The role is based on the CNPS office Sacramento, whereby a presence in Office is required. The presence in Office is currently expected for one day a week to support the cooperation, to take part in the director meetings and to take part in departmental programs, training courses and meetups. This schedule can change regularly, based on the program requirements and the partner's commitment. In order to support the regular number of visitors, we prefer the applicants who are lives or are ready to draw from Sacramento in 100 miles, and applicants within 60 miles from the office are given preference. The role also includes occasional nationwide trips to take part in meetings and events, enable personal training programs and to transport equipment and supplies. Travel to external locations are refunded.
Physical requirements:
This job can sitting for a long time and using a computer and a mouse. It may be able to take part in uneven paths with variable grades. These requirements are representative and adequate accommodations can be carried out so that people with disabilities can perform essential functions.
Further information:
- Hybrid, full -time position (freed).
- Standard lessons: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility.
Who you are:
Strategic leadership and campaign competence:
- 8 – 10 years of related work experience, including 4 – 6 years of leading campaign planning and implementation.
- Showed the success in the leadership of strategic initiatives and on the construction of a wide range of sectors cross -sector coalitions on local, regional and nationwide level.
- Qualified in the support or management of strategic planning processes and orientation of programs with organizational goals.
Project and organizational management:
- 4-6 years of project management experience, including monitoring large programs for large, complex programs.
- Proven ability to develop and manage action plans, program budgets and performance process systems.
- Demonstrated success in the management of organizational changes and implementation of systems that improve cooperation and operational efficiency.
Education, community science, horticulture and restoration:
- Background in education, community science, gardening, plant or biosciences or related areas.
- Proven ability to design and implement integrative, accessible educational programs.
- Qualifies in a diverse audience in culturally relevant science communication and relief.
- Experience in the mentoring of volunteers, interns and junior employees as well as the support of the capacity structure in community-based organizations.
- Proven familiarity with California local plants and plant communities.
Team management and cooperation:
- At least 4 – 6 years of experience, with a proven track record in mentoring employees and the support of professional development.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead different teams to common goals.
- Experience in promoting cooperation between the departments and the inclusion of voluntary networks.
Technology and communication:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrable ability to generate ideas and solve problems together.
- Competence in Microsoft Office and experience with hybrid/distant collaboration tools such as teams, zoom and slack.
- In the use of project management platforms in one, Microsoft Project, Planner and Asana can coordinate schedules, pursue results and support cross-functional teamwork; Able to train employees and to promote best practice in tool use
Equity and value orientation:
- Provided commitment to promoting diversity, justice, inclusion and justice (Deij) in ecological and pedagogical contexts.
- Strong focus on the core values of CNPs from interdependence, administration, partnership and scientific integrity.
- Is devoted to the removal of obstacles for natural education and to expand just access to knowledge and experiences of local plants.
To be nice:
While CNPs realizes that not every single one has all of these properties, the successful candidate has at least one – and ideally more than one of the following:
- Completion or higher in a relevant area.
- Experience in the implementation and publication of research in the natural sciences.
- Understanding the preservation challenges and opportunities of California.
- Knowledge of local organizations and government agencies involved in the preservation.
- Experience in marketing, advertising or public order.
- Experience and relationships within the local plant and/or seed industries.
- Experience in relation to the structure of trust -oriented relationships with indigenous partners and communities.
- Familiarity with or previous experience with CNPs.
- Fluenz in more than one language that is often spoken in California.
- Experience in the administration and motivation of distributed or remote teams.
What you get:
- Compensation: Annual compensation between $ 105,740 – $ 113,949.
With regard to the commitment of CNPs for competitive, fair and transparent remuneration, we publish the full potential output ranges for new settings and do not negotiate any setting bonuses. - Performance -based compensation increases: The employees may receive 3.8%up to a performance -oriented annual interest rate increase.
- health insurance: 100% coverage of the employee premiums for health (emperor or anthem), life, dental and vision insurance.
- Pension plan: 401 (K) plan with up to 6% suitable contributions that are available immediately after employment.
- Flexible output controllers: Options for a flexible output account (FSA), a health saving account (HSA), a dependent care account (DCA) and the transport parking account (TSA).
- Paid vacation: 13 holidays, 12 days and 15 vacation days.
- Parental leave: 12 weeks paid parental leave, after one year of employment.
- Support of houses: CNPS laptop, a scholarship of $ 750 and a scholarship for teleworking of USD 60/month.
- Employee aid program (EAP): Comprehensive support for employees and their families.
- Professional development: Annual budget of 500 US dollars and 32 hours for professional development opportunities.
- Team building: Participation in annual events for employees and training of employees.
- membership: Complementary membership of the CNPS company.
- Brag rights: “Superheroes on the planet” status for their contributions to the preservation.