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19 Apr 2023

Full-Time Horticulture Manager

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – Posted by Dkindler Oakdale, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden logo

Job Description

The Horticulture Manager ensures that Pittsburgh Botanic Garden conforms to the highest standards of garden management practices by attending to the Garden’s living plant collections and horticultural displays. The Horticulture Manager plays a key role in the design, implementation, and ongoing care of the botanical displays and landscapes through their technical skills and creativity. This energetic individual is expected to bring a high level of horticultural and design knowledge and professional gardening talent to the Garden, implement best stewardship practices, and supervise regular and seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers in exceptional standards for garden maintenance.

This position reports to the Director of Horticulture and Conservation and works closely with other Garden staff members.

Essential Job Functions
• Manage a team of horticulturists in designing and maintaining 65 acres of gardens and woodlands.
• Ensure landscapes and plant collections are designed, maintained, and developed to the highest levels
• Create inspiring horticultural displays and care for the Garden’s living collections.
• Perform general garden maintenance such as pruning, planting, mulching, and weeding of the permanent and seasonal plantings including plant acquisition, propagation, and installation.
• Monitor pests and diseases and use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.
• Occasionally lead garden tours and assist with special events and non-horticultural projects that support the Garden’s mission and development.
• Develop work schedules and quality standards.
• Participate in developing budgets and managing expenses.
• Work with staff to identify short and long-term projects to advance aesthetics, increase the value of collections, and develop associated budgets and implementation plans.
• Manages a team of 3-8 employees and 10-15 volunteers.
• Perform special studies, projects, and assignments as requested.
• Operate equipment such as tractors, mowers, and utility vehicles, as well as standard garden power tools such as chainsaws, blowers, and tillers.
• Winter duties will include snow removal

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Four-year degree in horticulture, botany, landscape design, landscape architecture, or related field, or equivalent combination of training, skills, and experience
• Minimum of seven years of relevant practical experience
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in personnel management including demonstrated abilities in staff support, coaching and development, and conflict resolution.
• Previous management experience of individuals, unifying them with successful results.
• Knowledge and/or experience in the following areas: garden design, arboriculture, PA native plants, perennials, fruit trees, container displays, and the common landscape plants of USDA Zone 5
• Demonstrated skills in creative problem-solving and conflict management.
• Strength in oral and written communication and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• A passionate commitment to the mission and purpose of the Garden
• Proficient with equipment used in the horticultural trade, including larger equipment.
• Knowledge of living collections, curation and development a plus.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture operations management and all related equipment and plants, plant materials (i.e., fertilizers, herbicides, etc.), and general landscape maintenance techniques and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple landscaping operations.
• Working knowledge of safe operating procedures for various types of landscape maintenance equipment.
• Working knowledge of budget development/management.
• Proven ability to lead and direct the work of others to complete general projects, including staff and volunteers, is required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working near the general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.
• Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook) and solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff to answer questions and service their needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

WORK CONDITIONS
• Primarily outdoor physical work in all weather conditions with occasional work at special events
• Typically, this is a 40-hour workweek position with weekend shifts on rotation. Flexible hours will be required for Garden-related functions.
• Must be able to traverse moderate to difficult site conditions.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Must possess a valid PA driver’s license and have or be willing to obtain a Pesticide Applicator’s license.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

How to Apply

Email submissions only. Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and two professional references to [email protected]. Do not include information in email text but include important information for consideration in the cover letter content. Do not make multiple submissions. No phone calls, please.

Job Categories: Horticulture / Gardening / Landscaping. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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