Horticulture Manager

Are you interested in using your extensive gardening and landscaping experience to enhance the experience of over 220k visitors annually? Are you excited about the possibility of being a part of a 75 year young unique educational experience that has been part of the history and fabric of the City of Oakland? If you said “yes!,” come joing Children's Fairyland as our Horticulture Manager to support the Facilties team in creating and maintaining a beautiful and functional park.

The Horticulture Manager is responsible for overseeing, as well as participating in all aspects of landscaping and grounds maintenance. Reporting to the Senior Director of Facilities, this position is responsible for managing Fairyland’s horticulture maintenance programs of the park’s landscape and exhibits and directly supervises a small team of full-time and volunteer staff.

COVID-19 Update: In an effort to keep our visitors, staff, volunteers and communities safe, Fairyland has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. In accordance with state and federal laws, Fairyland will consider all qualified applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation from our vaccination policy based on a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• At least five (5) years of professional gardening experience providing skilled garden care (references required)


• Interest in sustainable landscaping and its application in the public sector


• Extensive knowledge of plant materials and cultural requirements


• Knowledge of organic gardening methods and systems


• Knowledge of and experience in proper pruning techniques


• Safe operation and repair of irrigation systems


• Working knowledge of Microsoft and Google Suites


• Principles and practices of effective customer service


• Principles and practices of on-the-job safety and use of personal protective equipment 


• Good problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills


• Ability to work within a budget (of both time and money)


• Ability to work well with other departments, (e.g.  Maintenance, Animal, Marketing Communications, Education/Outreach, Philanthropy and Operations)


• A strong desire to learn and do high quality work


• Interest in long-term employment


• Ability to work independently or with a team and follow instructions


• Detail oriented, yet efficient and able to understand the big picture 


• Hard-working, consistent, reliable and self-motivated


• Basic knowledge of recordkeeping principles and practices


• Ability to read and comprehend job-related materials


• Possess a valid California Drivers’ License with an insurable driving record  

In addition to the job specific knowledge, skills and abilities, please understand that working at Fairyland often requires successful candidates have:

• the ability to work on weekends and holidays


• a proven track record of punctuality and attendance


• a pleasant, considerate and respectful demeanor to children and adults at all times

Personal Attributes/Values

• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor


• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possess an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success


• High degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, accountability and good judgment


• Strong work ethic with an orientation toward process improvement


• Impeccable integrity and honesty

Physical Requirements 

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment.  Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift


• Work in outdoor, occasionally adverse, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift


• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 


• Safely lift, manipulate and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 


• Ability to dig drainage/planting trenches in our native clay soil


• Ability to operate heavy machinery such as turf equipment


• Willing and able to dig with a shovel and pickaxe.


• Willing and able to weed for the entirety of work shift


• Respond quickly to sounds


• See and respond quickly to situations


• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel


• Ability to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy


• Current COVID-19 Requirements




• Ability to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination including booster prior to start of employment

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time non-exempt position working Monday through Friday with flexible daily hours depending on workload and season. Occasional weekend hours may be required. The non-negotiable starting rate of pay is $29.50 per hour ($61,360 annualized).

Benefits for full-time employees include: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at 100% for employees 


• Generous leaves of absence!  Accrue up to 10 days of PTO in your first year AND separate paid sick leave bank of up to 10 days per year


• Three (3) floating holidays per year


• 401k plan available after 30 days of service


• Discounts on Fairyland merchandise, park admissions and Café 

How to join Team Fairyland

To apply for a position with Fairyland, please complete the application here. Due to the size of our operations, we are unable to take phone inquiries about positions.

Children's Fairyland fully and actively supports equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We see candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community building, and meaningful connection with a broad range of people and institutions.

About Fairyland

Featured in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section on unique places to visit in Oakland and touted by BuzzFeed as “The Most Amazing Place to take Kids” in California, Children’s Fairyland is the first storybook theme park in America! In 1950, a group of visionary Oaklanders partnered with the city’s park superintendent and garnered support from enthusiastic citizens to build the outdoor 10-acre theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. Visited by Walt Disney as he was conceptualizing Disneyland, Fairyland has inspired many other fairytale-themed parks across the United States. Over 220,000 visitors enjoy Fairyland’s many activities and programs annually, and through our outreach program, free or reduced admission is offered to over 16,000 children and families every year. Fairyland operates 362 of 365 days a year, weather permitting.

Note:  Children's Fairyland does not have the resources to sponsor visas, nor any open positions eligible for the H-1B program.