Conservatory Senior Gardener

Conservatory Senior Gardener

Salary

$38.45 - $41.44 Hourly

Location

Various - Seattle area, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00883

Department

Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Opening Date

07/08/2026

Closing Date

7/28/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

About Seattle Parks and Recreation:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. We are committed to the Citys Core Values of equity, inclusion, learning, accountability, and stewardship.

Equity & Inclusion:

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

Our Commitment:

SPR commits to Our City Values, Workplace Expectations, and Racial Equity and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

About the Volunteer Park Conservatory:

The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a historic, Victorian-style greenhouse and botanical garden, located in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood. Inspired by London's Crystal Palace, the conservatory covers 6,800 sq ft and is divided into five distinct display houses. The central Palm House includes orchid displays, cactus and succulent rooms, ferns, bromeliads, and a seasonal display area. Today, the conservatory serves as a living botanical museum showcasing subtropical and tropical environments while serving as an educational space and cultural hub, blending horticultural displays with art, science, and culture. The Conservatory hosts exhibits and horticultural events, tours, classes, community events, and educational programs.

About this Position

The Senior Gardner position reports to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and supports the care and maintenance of permanent living collection for five-house Conservatory displays. The responsibilities of the position also involve the design and plant selection for the seasonal display beds and the surrounding area around the Conservatory, and plant propagation. This position reports to the Conservatory education program supervisor under the direction of the Horticulture and Specialty Gardens Manager.

Job Responsibilities

• Plans, leads, assigns, and directs the work activities of gardeners in Conservatory team engaged in various aspects of indoor plant maintenance, Conservatory museum-like design and public displays, site management.
• Performs plant propagation and care of seasonal house plants; cares and maintains subtropical and/or tropical plants in Permanent living collection.
• Develops, makes recommendations and/or implements the plant list for annual propagation plan
• Supports site landscape maintenance, facility and Green house repairs, restoration and capital improvements
• Directs the implementation of landscape designs from blueprints and plans.
• Leads the work of a major horticultural unit such as several greenhouses, and conservatory.
• Trains the team gardeners, seasonals and volunteers.
• Operates motor vehicle to, between, and from work locations.
• Makes recommendations for ordering new materials, maintains time, pesticide control, and other related records, and prepare required reports
• Assists in the preparation and justification of annual budget information. Maintains records on all expenditures.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned and duties of Laborer as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications : In addition to the skills and experience mentioned above, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Three years work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Washington Public Pesticide operators license required after appointment.
• Current Washington State drivers license.

Additional Information

You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities for this position:

• Knowledge of biological sciences, horticulture and gardening, as well related interpretive program and development principles.
• Degree or certification in horticulture, environmental science or a related field (or a combination of education or training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
• Three (3) years of conservatory and/or greenhouse horticultural experience, including experience in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practice.
• Knowledge of City, State, and Federal rules and regulations governing the safe operation of greenhouses and Conservatory facility.
• Two (2) year plant propagation experience for ornamental flowering plants.
• Experience with Greenhouse or Conservatory maintenance and operation, including site improvements and renovation.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring and supervising staff.

Special Working Conditions:

• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to lift objects up to 50 pounds. May occasionally be required to lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• May occasionally require handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Work may be performed in confined spaces and at heights up to 130 feet.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Required to wear safety gear when appropriate.
• May be required to work with other City and County agencies doing homeless encampment clean up.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $38.45 - $41.44 Hourly.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance,SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacationtime,12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPR's Core Competencies are:

Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high-quality standards.

Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the Citys commitment to workforce equity.

Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.

Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.

Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text-based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy here.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Describe a time you diagnosed and resolved a complex plant health issue in a greenhouse or conservatory setting. What steps did you take to identify the problem, what interventions did you use, and what was the outcome?

02

Tell us about your experience designing, installing, or maintaining seasonal horticultural displays. What factors did you consider when selecting plants, planning layouts, and ensuring successful long term maintenance?

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs