State Botanical Garden Director of Science & Conservation

Posting Number: F2361P

Working Title: State Botanical Garden Director of Science & Conservation

Department: PSO-State Botanic Garden of GA

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education . The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department: The UGA State Botanical Garden- Who We Are:
The University of Georgia is one of the leading public research universities in the nation and the world. Founded in 1785 as the first public university in the country, UGA's faculty excel in basic and applied research, scholarship and creative activities, innovation, and technology transfer; and deliver outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; and support communities in Georgia and around the globe through public service and engagement. Total annual research expenditures at the University have grown rapidly, increasing 68% since 2015, and research expenditures have now surpassed $628 million for fiscal year 2024. The overall economic impact of the University on the state of Georgia was $8.1 billion in 2023, demonstrating UGA's significant commitment to the landgrant mission.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of Public Service and Outreach, is one of the states most treasured resources. With 323 acres of natural areas and cultivated gardens, the State botanical Garden offers unique experiences for art and nature lovers. The garden offers eight specialty gardens, including the Alice H. Richards Children's Garden, and over five miles of trails within an Audubon-designated important birding area. Throughout the year the garden hosts educational programming, including camps, classes, workshops, concerts and festivals for visitors of all ages. Facilities across the garden feature art exhibits and annual lectures, including the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. The garden is also the headquarters for the award-winning Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, a network of more than 100 institutions, agencies and organizations committed to ecological land management, native plant conservation and protection of imperiled plants.

The garden is a significant cultural, regional and ecological resource for Georgia. As part of the cultural landscape of Georgia, we offer social, scenic, economic, recreational and educational opportunities to help communities thrive. The core mission of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is conservation, education and horticulture. Through existing facilities and programs, the garden offers safe, free and accessible connections to nature for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Whether it is through SBG's leadership in the Georgia Native Seed Network across the state, our adult educational programs that helps Georgia communities increase their native species, our efforts to build a visionary plan for conservation horticulture and resilient environment, our certificate programs to build the capacity of community members, or hosting educational events about native plant and conservation strategies for UGA students. Fulfilling our land-grant and seagrant mission to serve the State of Georgia is more than a project. It's our purpose.

We are growing and excited to add individuals to our team who share our commitment to public service - building stronger communities, inspiring environmental resilience, and improving quality of life for communities across Georgia and beyond.

Our Culture - How We Operate:
We disseminate knowledge through research and instruction. We collaborate internally and externally across our areas of expertise and across the university and the state with academic researchers, as well as corporate and private partners to bring best practices and expert insights to the communities we serve. We are committed to fielding a team of diverse experts who are grounded in our culture of excellence and approach our work with Georgia's conservation, horticulture, and environments in a comprehensive and objective fashion.

College/Unit/Department website:

Posting Type: External

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2025

Job Posting Date: 04/29/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants: Compensation will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. Candidates will be considered for the position until it is f illed. Application materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vita, a brief writing sample from a technical report, and three references with contact information. The finalists for the position will be required to provide three letters of recommendation.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( ).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at .

Classification Title: Public Service Professional AC

Faculty Rank: Administrative Faculty

Contract Type: Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status: Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in botany, conservation horticulture, environment, public administration, agriculture, or related field.

Position Summary: The State Botanical Garden at The University of Georgia invites applications for the Director of Plant Science and Conservation at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This position is part of the division of Public Service and outreach at the University of Georgia and is offered in collaboration with teaching opportunities at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

As a Public Service and Outreach unit at the University of Georgia, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (SBG) contributes directly to the university's overarching public service mission of improving people's lives by addressing pressing environmental issues, enhancing research output, and providing UGA students and the community at large with cutting-edge education in this crucial field. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is the hiring unit for this public service faculty position.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia serves communities in Georgia and beyond by applying scientific expertise to address grand challenges for improving environmental function and resilience. As a university garden, we are also committed to supporting student success through experiential learning opportunities. We are seeking an enterprising and thoughtful leader who can lead a team of faculty and staff focused on helping state, local, and national environmental organizations to strengthen the university's capabilities in addressing pressing environmental issues, enhancing our research output, and providing our students and community at large with cutting-edge education in this crucial field.

Training the next generation of experts in conservation science and horticulture will enable the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to contribute meaningfully to global conservation efforts and advance knowledge in sustainable practices. In partnership with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences this position is expected to significantly boosts research capacity and UGA's presence in the effort to study and preserve native plant species while also developing native plant materials for restoration and ecosystem resilience. The partnership with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, particularly the Department of Horticulture, allows the faculty member to teach courses that cover the latest advancements in plant conservation . click apply for full job details