NYBG Job Description

TitleReports to

Manager of Arboretum and GroundsDirector of Horticulture Operations

Position Summary:

The Manager of Arboretum and Grounds will be responsible for overseeing the horticultural maintenance of the 250-acre historic landscape of The New York Botanical Garden. They will directly supervise turf experts, arborists, gardeners, and other horticultural professionals as they care for seventy acres of turf, thirty thousand trees, and a diverse array of curated gardens and hardy plant collections. They will collaborate with Horticulture managers and curators to develop and implement management plans and plant health programs that ensure the highest standard of horticultural care. They will be responsible for assisting managing and maintaining the Garden-wide irrigation system and all tools, supplies, vehicles, and equipment used in the care of the landscape and living collections.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for implementing all aspects of planning, maintenance, daily care, supervision of the Garden's 250-acre historic landscape including turf and grounds, tree and shrub collections, natural landscapes, gardens, woody plant nursery, compost facility, garden-wide irrigation system, and the management and maintenance of all supplies and equipment involved in these activities, in collaboration with the Director for Horticulture Operations.
• Directly supervises staff of more than twenty landscape professionals responsible for maintaining the highest standard of excellence in turf care, general landscape maintenance, mature tree care, planting, transplanting, pruning, plant health care, composting, irrigation systems, weeding, leaf removal, snow removal, and other essential landscape maintenance tasks.
• Implements safety policies and training requirements to ensure industry compliance.
• Provides direction, training and motivation for the horticultural staff, interns and volunteers.
• Collaborates closely with Director for Horticulture Operations and other Horticulture managers and curators to support overall plant health and soil nutrition strategies for outdoor landscape, including sustainable gardening practices and integrated pest management.
• Collaborates closely with AVP for Horticulture Operations, Director of Horticulture Operations, and the Woody Plant Curator to manage the Garden’s tree collection, including performing assessments and allocating resources appropriately.
• Monitors conditions of all outdoor areas and implements best management practices to ensure the highest horticultural standards are achieved.
• Assists with planning, coordination and facilitation of work performed for the Garden by outside contractors throughout the landscape and grounds.

• Participates in Management Team to develop and implement systems for best practices in landscape stewardship, safety training, and professional development.
• Oversees the maintenance of the Horticulture Operations Center, including woody plant nursery and the associated propagation and storage facilities. Coordinates deliveries of plants and supplies with curators and managers.
• Manages and leads repairs to Garden-wide irrigation system and works with contractors and staff to implement annual maintenance, repairs, and improvements.
• Works closely with all other Garden departments to facilitate, coordinate, and implement construction, installation, and other work for landscapes, gardens, public, and special events, educational programs, and exhibitions.
• Manages the School of Professional Horticulture (SoPH) rotation, including supervision, creation, tracking, and evaluation of learning objects.
• Responds to weather events and other emergencies, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 7-years’ experience in landscape and gardens maintenance and management or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5-years’ experience supervising a highly skilled workforce responsible for the horticultural care of a historic landscape
• Formal training in horticulture, landscape management, or closely related field at a university, botanical garden, or trade school, or equivalent experience
• New York State Pesticide Applicator License Categories 3A and 8 (upon or within 24 months of hire) with the ability to obtain 5A, 5B, 6A, 7A, if necessary.
• ISA Certified Arborist with TRAQ certification (upon or within 18 months of hire)
• OSHA 30 Training for General Industry (upon or within 6 months of hire)
• Driver's license valid in New York State
• Experience in managing budgets, if necessary
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent mechanical experience

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools and power equipment, and lift and\or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to perform tasks repetitively.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Baseline Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM

Must be able to occasionally work on weekends and evenings, early mornings and during weather emergencies, when needed.

Salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $90,000-$97,500.