Address
Form of workDirector of Botanical Garden Horticulture
Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Horticulture & Collections department seeks a Director of Botanical Garden Horticultureto join our team at Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G). The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture is primarily responsible for managing the excellent care and innovation in gardens, glasshouses, grounds and the animal program at Cleveland Botanical Garden. As a resource for the local and global community, the outdoor & boundary gardens, interior plantscape, neotropical and spiny forests, showcase the Living Collections for enjoyment, education, research, and collaboration.
The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture works with Horticulturists, the Curator of Living Collections, and the Vice President of Horticulture & Collections to develop and advance stunning gardens that demonstrate the beauty, wonder and value of plants throughout the 12-acre campus. The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture is part of the Horticulture & Collections' supervisors' team, which advances consistent departmental growth and interdepartmental collaboration, under the leadership of the Vice President of Horticulture & Collections. The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture works in close collaboration with multiple team leads to ensure smooth running of fast-paced and overlapping operations including seasonal shows, events, rentals, public relations, and educational offerings.
Garden advancement is guided by HF&G’s organizational documents including: strategic plan, master site plan (Nelson Byrd Woltz), employer of choice initiative, collections management policy, design protocol and Phipps Climate Toolkit, in alignment with the mission, vision & values. Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong. This role is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH with regular cross-campus representation at the Holden Arboretum and Long Science Center Nursery in Kirtland, OH and occasionally at Leach Research Station in Madison, OH.
Position Details:
- Reports to the Vice President of Horticulture & Collections
- Exempt Position
- Full-Time
Key Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities of the Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture, include, but are not limited to:
Key responsibilities of the Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture, include, but are not limited to:
- Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
- Provide day-to-day leadership, management and oversight to the Cleveland Botanical Garden horticulture & animal teams, grounds and activities according to the annual operations plans and the USDA animal program regulations
- Lead, demonstrate, and mentor staff in exceptionally high-quality plant care and garden presentation
- Provide supervision and guidance to Senior Horticulturists and Horticulturists including hiring, training, goal-setting, and appraisals
- Work with the Curator of Living Collections to advance HF&G’s curatorial goals
- Advance goals for sustainable and ecological horticulture practices
- Regular verbal and written reporting to VP Horticulture & Collections and occasionally to leadership team
- Support HF&G’s broad programming throughout the plantscapes to activate gardens and Living Collections
- Collaborate with team leads to develop long-term planning for shows
- Share deep horticultural knowledge, skill and expertise through practical, verbal and written forms to diverse public and professional audiences to inspire colleagues, donors, members, guests, funders, and the public with the beauty, wonder and value of plants
- Manage departmental budget
- Plan staffing to manage weather events including snow removal
- Manage external contractor services
- Participate in cross-campus work days
- Participate in and lead team meetings and committee memberships
- Lead the review and advancement of safety guidelines and practices
- Adhere to program regulations and maintain safe, productive, and enjoyable working environment
- Maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Skills:
- Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
- A bachelor’s degree in public horticulture, horticulture, landscape architecture, ecology, botany, or a related field is required
- Minimum of three (3) years managing and supervising horticultural staff in working with living collections in a public garden environment, required
- Five (5) or more years managing and supervising horticultural staff, highly desired
- Expertise in plant care with knowledge of cultivated plants and experience or desire to care for rare and endangered plants grown for ex-situ conservation purposes, required
- Knowledge of plant taxonomy, required
- Experience of designing gardens, required
- Experience successfully managing and completing multiple active projects while staying within budgetary constraints and within specified timelines
- Must have ISA certification or the ability to acquire within a year of start date
- Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
- Experience with Finance software or ability to learn
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Willing and able to operate a variety of handheld equipment such as pruners, shears, spade and forks and perform strenuous, hands-on work year-round in all types of weather conditions
- Ability to operate a variety of machinery, equipment and small power tools including skidsteer, tractor, dump truck, utility vehicles, weed eaters, sprayers, push & riding mowers
- Working outdoors or indoors where the ambient temperature spans 0-100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven and/or rocky
- Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing and lifting
- Carrying up to 50 lbs. carrying up to 50 lbs. on a repetitive basis daily
Some of the reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work!
We offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) |
Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland |
Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Holden Forests & Gardens values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G also provides regular DEAI training for staff, managers, volunteers and Board to create a welcoming and accessible environment. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Qualified applicants should submit résumé, cover letter and 3 professional references.
Holden Forests & Gardens (Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We seek skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals to join our staff and enhance our reputation as one of the country’s foremost public gardens.
