The J. Paul Getty Trust, an international cultural and philanthropic institution dedicated to the visual arts, is hiring a Horticulturist to care for the gardens and landscaped grounds at its Los Angeles campus. This is a hands-on, full-time, on-site role for someone who loves plants, takes pride in beautiful outdoor spaces, and wants to be part of a mission-driven team. As Horticulturist, you’ll maintain the plant collections and carry out routine gardening work such as planting, pruning, and soil management; monitor plant health and diagnose and address pest and disease issues; coordinate irrigation schedules to support healthy growth and conserve water; put sustainable landscape practices into daily use; collaborate with curatorial, facilities, and conservation colleagues so the grounds complement the architecture and art; help with seasonal displays, special projects, and public programs; and keep accurate records while using equipment safely. The position suits an entry-level candidate with horticulture, botany, or landscape training, or equivalent practical experience.
About the Getty — Arts, Heritage & Public Gardens
Organization: The J. Paul Getty Trust
Location: Los Angeles, California
Divisions: Museum, Research Institute, Conservation Institute, and Foundation
Mission: Advancing knowledge, preservation, and public engagement with artistic heritage
Culture: Learning, collaboration, and public service
Horticulturist Role — Garden Care, Plant Health & Sustainable Landscapes
Department: Gardens & Landscape
Primary Focus: Plant collections, plant health, irrigation, sustainable practice
Scope: The Getty’s gardens and landscaped outdoor areas
Mission: Keeping outdoor spaces healthy, beautiful, and in harmony with the art and architecture
Horticulturist Position Overview
The Horticulturist role at the Getty is about caring for living spaces that visitors experience as part of the art itself. Gardens and landscaped areas are designed to complement the architecture and the collections, and the horticulture team keeps them looking and functioning at that standard. Your days will be outdoors and active, with routine work such as planting, pruning, mulching, and soil management forming the backbone of the job. Plant health is a constant concern. You’ll monitor the collections closely, spot signs of stress, pests, or disease early, and take sensible action to address them, including integrated and environmentally responsible approaches to pest control. Water matters just as much. You’ll coordinate irrigation schedules so that plants get what they need while the site uses water thoughtfully, and you’ll bring sustainable landscape practices into everyday work. Coordination runs across the campus. You’ll work with curatorial, facilities, and conservation colleagues to make sure planting decisions suit the site’s architecture and the wider artistic environment, and you may help with seasonal displays, special projects, and public programs connected to horticulture and landscape design. Accurate record-keeping is part of the routine, from plant inventories to care logs, and you’ll use tools and equipment safely and in line with institutional standards.
As Horticulturist, you’ll grow your knowledge of botany, plant identification, and horticultural best practice, while building practical skills in irrigation, landscape maintenance, and plant health care. The role offers the chance to work in a respected cultural institution, where the standards of presentation are high and the purpose of the grounds is clear. The ideal candidate has relevant education in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Hands-on gardening experience, familiarity with irrigation systems and water management, and an eye for detail and high aesthetic standards are important. The ability to work outdoors in varying weather and to carry out physically active tasks safely is essential, as is clear communication and good teamwork with staff and contractors. Experience in public gardens, museums, or cultural institutions is a benefit, and familiarity with integrated pest management is a plus. For entry-level gardeners and horticulturists in Los Angeles who want to build a career in public and institutional landscapes, this position offers a meaningful and well-regarded place to start.
Why This Role Matters: As Horticulturist at the Getty, you help shape the outdoor experience of a world-renowned cultural destination, care for plant collections that visitors and staff enjoy every day, apply sustainable and water-conscious practices, work alongside curatorial and conservation experts, develop skills in botany and plant health, and begin a career in public garden and landscape stewardship in Los Angeles.
Key Responsibilities & Garden Duties
Plant Collection Care
- Maintain the garden plant collections
- Carry out planting in line with garden plans
- Prune plants to keep them healthy and well shaped
- Manage soil condition and preparation
- Support seasonal planting and replanting
- Keep plant collections documented and organized
Plant Health & Pest Management
- Monitor plant health across the grounds
- Diagnose pest and disease issues early
- Apply integrated pest management approaches
- Use environmentally responsible treatments where needed
- Track problems and follow up on remedial action
- Escalate serious plant health concerns promptly
Irrigation & Water Management
- Coordinate irrigation schedules for healthy growth
- Check irrigation systems for performance and faults
- Adjust watering to conserve water
- Support efficient water management across the site
- Report irrigation issues to facilities teams
- Apply sustainable watering practices
Sustainable Landscape Practice
- Implement sustainable landscape practices in daily work
- Support environmentally responsible gardening methods
- Choose plantings suited to local conditions
- Reduce waste and manage green material responsibly
- Share sustainable practice ideas with the team
- Support long-term landscape health
Collaboration & Special Projects
- Work with curatorial, facilities, and conservation teams
- Align planting with architecture and artistic settings
- Support seasonal displays and garden presentation
- Assist with special projects and garden events
- Contribute to public programs on horticulture
- Coordinate work with contractors on site
Records, Equipment & Safety
- Keep accurate records of planting, care, and treatments
- Use gardening equipment safely and correctly
- Maintain tools and equipment in good condition
- Follow environmental and institutional standards
- Work safely outdoors in varying conditions
- Maintain clean and orderly work areas
Qualifications & Requirements
Education & Experience
- Relevant education in horticulture, botany, or landscape architecture
- Or equivalent practical experience in horticulture or gardening
- Hands-on experience in gardening, including planting and pruning
- Experience in public gardens, museums, or cultural institutions (beneficial)
Technical Knowledge
- Landscape maintenance and landscaping for institutional gardens
- Botany, plant identification, and horticultural best practice
- Plant health care and soil management
- Irrigation systems, water management, and sustainable practice
- Integrated pest management (advantage)
Physical & Work Requirements
- Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions
- Ability to carry out physically active tasks safely
- Comfort with repetitive garden work and long hours outdoors
Personal Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and organization
- Commitment to high aesthetic standards
- Effective communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to collaborate with diverse staff and contractors
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- Pathway toward Senior Horticulturist or Garden Supervisor roles
- Opportunity to lead seasonal displays and special projects
- Growth into landscape design or collections management
- Exposure to a respected cultural institution
Learning & Development
- Hands-on experience in institutional garden care
- Practical plant health and pest management training
- Irrigation and sustainable landscape practice experience
- Collaboration with curatorial and conservation specialists
About the Getty — Gardens in the Service of Art
The J. Paul Getty Trust is one of the world’s largest supporters of the arts, serving the public and professional communities in Los Angeles and beyond through its Museum, Research Institute, Conservation Institute, and Foundation. Its gardens and landscaped spaces are part of the visitor experience, designed to complement the architecture and collections, and cared for by a team that values learning, collaboration, and public service.
Career Excellence in Public Horticulture: Join a respected cultural institution in Los Angeles, care for plant collections and landscaped gardens, practice sustainable and water-conscious gardening, collaborate with curatorial and conservation colleagues, and build a career in public garden and landscape care in California.
Who Should Apply?
- Horticulture Graduates: Starting a career in public gardens
- Botany Graduates: Interested in plant care and collections
- Experienced Gardeners: Seeking an institutional role
- Landscape Maintenance Workers: Moving into horticulture
- Irrigation and Grounds Specialists: Looking for a garden-focused role
- Art and Culture Enthusiasts: Who love working in museum settings
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