Senior Horticulturist

BASIC FUNCTIONS: Responsible for the care of the wildflower & native plant garden and its component programs at the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s Chadds Ford campus.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Accomplishes a diverse array of horticultural duties within the campus display beds and adjacent meadow areas. This includes, but is not limited to, garden design, planting, mulching, weeding, pruning, application of herbicides and litter management.

2. Responsible for all duties related to the operation of a container-based native plant nursery, including seed sowing, potting, labeling, fertilizing, watering, preparing inventory reports and planning for production needs.

3. Performs all duties related to the operation of a native seed program, including species identification, collection, cleaning, packaging, and order fulfillment.

4. Plans & implements public programs to highlight the work at Brandywine, subjects including, but not limited to, garden tours, meadow walks and the seed collection, cleaning and packaging program.

5. Leads, supervises, and trains garden volunteers and a part time garden intern in proper management of campus landscape in line with ecological horticulture practices and native plant community-based design.

6. Regularly inspects trails and performs remedial maintenance as required.

7. Gives presentations to a variety of audiences, as needed.

8. Performs all duties related to the annual native plant and seed sale and is responsible for accurate record keeping pre-and post-sale, producing and preparing all stock for sale, and effectively managing volunteer and intern help to complete this work by deadline.

9. Apply ecological horticulture techniques and knowledge of native plant communities and the wildlife they support in management of the campus landscape. Serve as subject matter expert and continually further the knowledge base of the Gardens Department on these specialized research-based topics that guide our horticulture approach.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. At least 3 years professional horticulture experience.

2. Associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany or a related field, or an equivalent combination of skills, education and experience.

3. Possesses specific knowledge of plant species native to the middle-Atlantic piedmont region.

4. Ability to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions.

5. Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds and meet the physical demands of the position which include standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, digging.

6. Ability to effectively operate common landscape tools including hand-held and backpack sprayers, hand-held and backpack blowers, a string trimmer, a soil auger, a walk-behind mower, and possess sufficient mechanical reasoning to successfully perform minor maintenance needs on these types of equipment.

7. High level of personal initiative, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work largely unsupervised but also as a team member.

8. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

9. Computer proficient in Microsoft Office products, minimum.

10. Keen observer of nature with a demonstrated interest in the flora and fauna of the middle-Atlantic region.

11. A passion for conservation and horticulture and a dedication to the mission of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.

12. Must own or have consistent access to reliable transportation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $53,200.00 - $56,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Chadds Ford, PA 19317: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person