Horticulturist

Description

General Statement of Duties

The Horticulturist is responsible for managing and maintaining native flora within the Museum's indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as maintaining the greenhouses and developing propagation programs. In addition, he or she assists the Horticulture Curator with planning and implementing the Museum's spring and fall native plant sales.This position recognizes the capacity to achieve greater results by integrating skilled volunteers and leveraging their diverse knowledge and abilities. The Horticulturist reports directly to the Horticulture Curator. 

Qualifications

• Has obtained, or is actively working toward, either a BS or AA degree in Botany, Horticulture or related field. 
• Professional experience landscaping and green house operations.
• Experience in perennial and woody plant propagation.
• Thorough knowledge of horticultural practices.
• Thorough knowledge of indoor and outdoor plant cultivation and maintenance methods.
• Knowledge of plant pests, diseases, and their control.
• Experience in the safe use of landscape power equipment and hand tools.
• Ability to remain calm and provide clear direction in an emergency situation
• Ability to train and supervise volunteers.
• Initiative and good judgement.
• Communicate well and in a professional manner

Duties and Responsibilities:

Enhance Guest Experience by:

Welcoming and entertaining questions from guests. 

Developing and providing engaging educational experiences for guests. 

Leading conservation projects and museum events when needed.

Coordinating monarch tagging program and perform public tagging and releasing.

Care for Museum Assets:

Work with the horticulture team in maintaining the high quality appearance of the horticulture exhibits and plants both inside and outside the Museum.

General landscaping: pruning, weeding, watering, etc. 

Follow museum safety policies and procedures.

Propagate native plants for the spring and fall native plant sales.

• Train, supervise, and work with horticulture volunteers.
• Maintain and expand plant sales: signs, database, tags, and master handout.
• Spearhead social media (in coordination with Education Department) and volunteer coordination for plant sales.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

•  Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends. 
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and perceive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to lift and/or exert up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to move throughout the Museum's building(s) and outdoor trail as needed.
• Must have visual acuity to be able to operate motor vehicles and/or equipment.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, grasp, feel, and utilize repetitive motions.
• The candidate will be subject to outdoor environmental conditions such as heat, cold, wind, and humidity.

Supervision Exercised: None 

Qualified applicants please submit a VLM application, cover letter, resume and references.No phone calls, please. 

Website: https://thevlm.org/join/employment/openings/