Nancy Kartes Curator of Living Collections

Nancy Kartes Curator of Living Collections

Salary

$88,075.24 - $121,541.71 Annually

Location

Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

26-00269

Department

Parks and Community Services

Division

PCS Recreation Botanical Garden

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

9/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NONAFF

• Description
• Questions

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

The Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) is an urban refuge, encompassing 53-acres of cultivated gardens, curated collections, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands. Since opening in 1992 the Bellevue Botanical Garden has grown significantly in its size and impact. Today, BBG welcomes around 500,000 visitors each year to learn about gardening and explore nature. The Garden hosts a wealth of educational classes for children and adults, along with many community events benefiting Bellevue and the horticulture community at large.

The success of BBG is the outcome of a vibrant and diverse community, a collaboration between the City of Bellevue, the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, and nine other partner groups.

Thanks to a generous gift the Bellevues Parks and Community Services Department has a unique opportunity for you to be a part of the Botanical Gardens. A private donor has established an endowment to fund the full-time salary of a Curator in perpetuity. This new position is named in honor of the Garden's previous director, Nancy Kartes.

The Garden curates a vast collection of 3,000 unique varieties of plants spread throughout 53-acres in 12 thematic garden spaces. Records are maintained in a custom database. Originally entered in Access in the early 2000s, the data now sits in a SQL Server with an internal interface through Salesforce and mapping with ARCMap. The system has a robust public facing Plant Collections Search providing database and map access online.

The role is the first full-time position in the Garden's history dedicated to Living Collections. This will consolidate efforts previously shared by the Garden Director, part-time staff, interns, and dedicated volunteers over the past 25 years. This position has primary responsibility for all curatorial work including overseeing plant records volunteers and interns and supports horticultural and educational efforts at the Garden.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage all living collections.
• Supervise plant records volunteers.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration among staff and partners
• Develop, implement, and monitor intern training programs.
• Provide technical advice and horticultural expertise for garden partners, collaborating organizations, and the public.
• Provide horticultural content and review Garden publications, media and interpretive materials.
• Assist the Garden Director in determining collections budget needs, authorize budget expenditures and manage the approved operating budget.
• Participate in long-range planning and the design of gardens and facilities, renovations and new construction related to gardens.
• Embrace the Garden's commitment to excellence in guest services, willingly integrating work with the efforts of other programs.
• Responsible for review and implementation of Living Collections Policy, curation of the living collection, and management of the plant accession database, geodatabase, and public interface with collections.
• Provide aesthetic vision and inspiration for horticultural displays. Establish horticultural standards and priorities, including best practice standards of garden maintenance, and an emphasis on sustainable and organic practices and methods without compromising plant health or quality of display.
• Work with Garden Director and partners to implement elements of the Master Plan and Interpretive Plan related to horticulture, with an emphasis on the accessibility of the plant collections to the Garden's visitors.
• Ensure appropriate plant procurement for garden projects.
• Support renovation, procurement, and installation of horticultural displays.
• Teach classes for Garden's education program, provide training for public, volunteers, and staff.
• Devise and implement proper inventory control measures.
• Oversee inventory and evaluation cycles for gardens in collaboration with garden partners and horticultural peers in the region.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Garden Director.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Works under the general supervision of a Community Services Supervisor (BBG Garden Director)
• May exercise supervision over full-time/temporary/seasonal employees, interns, volunteers, or support staff, as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field, Master's degree preferred.
• Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible related experience in the field of horticulture, garden management or landscape maintenance/management.
• 2 years of experience leading, teaching, and motivating others preferred.
• Training and experience in horticultural best practices, with an emphasis on sustainability.
• Widely versed and current in horticultural field (e.g., sustainable gardening, native plants, plant disease, etc.)
• Other combination of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Occupational Blood Born Pathogens and Defensive Driving certifications preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be a well-organized, seasoned, successful and empathetic team member. Demonstrated knowledge of sustainable landscape and hardy plant care appropriate to the region.
• Demonstrated ability with the design and installation of inspiring botanical displays.
• Must possess excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency with technology, data management, and Microsoft Office Suite software programs especially Word and Excel.
• Experience with plant records management software. Advanced skill in the ability to troubleshoot and adapt software to fit organizational needs.
• Ability to use geographic information system (GIS) for mapping of plant collections. Prefer working knowledge of ArcGIS software.
• Advanced knowledge of plant identification particularly for plants of NW gardens.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee must be able to remain focused in an inherently busy environment with frequent distractions and interruptions.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

01

APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, you may edit your application before submitting. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

All new hires will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The city is not able to sponsor work visas. Please confirm work authorization.

• Yes, I have current US work authorization.
• No, I do not have current US work authorization.

03

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or above
• None of the above

04

How many years of prior related professional experience do you have in the field of horticulture, garden management or landscape maintenance/management or related field?

• Less that 2 years of experience
• 2-4 years of experience
• 4-6 years of experience
• 6-8 years of experience
• More than 8 years of experience
• No related experience

05

How would you describe your experience participating in garden design, renovation projects, or long-range planning?

• No experience
• Some experience assisting
• Experienced and able to lead components
• Extensive experience and able lead full projects

06

Are you experienced in applying sustainable and organic horticultural practices in a garden or landscape setting?

• Yes
• No

07

Which of the following tasks have you performed in a horticultural or botanical garden setting? (Select all that apply)

• Managing or curation of living plant collections
• Using plant accession or geodatabases
• Developing or implementing training programs
• Reviewing horticultural publications, interpretive content, or media
• Procuring plants for garden projects
• Supporting renovation, procurement, or installation of horticultural displays
• Implementing inventory control measures
• Ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations
• Teaching public classes or educational programs
• None of the above

08

Have you supervised or trained part-time staff, volunteers or interns in a horticultural or similar setting?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience fostering teamwork across diverse stakeholders within a garden or horticulture environment?

• Yes
• No

10

Please describe your experience with plant records management software. Highlight any advanced skills in the ability to troubleshoot and adapt software to fit organizational needs. (Please be mindful that artificial intelligence tools, when used to assist in drafting responses, can produce similar language across the many applications submitted. Responses are more effective if they clearly reflect personal experience, specific examples, and individual voice.)

11

Please share your experience with disseminating horticultural knowledge professionally and to the general public. Highlight methods which may include speaking, writing, or the development of interpretation or content. (Please be mindful that artificial intelligence tools, when used to assist in drafting responses, can produce similar language across the many applications submitted. Responses are more effective if they clearly reflect personal experience, specific examples, and individual voice.)

12

Describe your experience and knowledge of the plants and the best practices for Pacific Northwest gardens. (Please be mindful that artificial intelligence tools, when used to assist in drafting responses, can produce similar language across the many applications submitted. Responses are more effective if they clearly reflect personal experience, specific examples, and individual voice.)

Required Question

Employer City of Bellevue

Address PO Box 90012

Bellevue, Washington, 98009

Website http://www.bellevuewa.gov/