Landscape Manager
Posted 4 days ago
Landscape Manager
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont - Virginia (Charlottesville)
The Landscape Manager will lead BGP’s horticultural direction by serving as the professional in maintaining the existing grounds as they evolve into the vision of the future Garden. The Landscape Manager will lead our volunteers by working collaboratively to achieve the mission of BGP and play an influential role in the success of the Garden. The position will report to and collaborate closely with the Executive Director (ED) on a variety of strategic initiatives that address the evolving needs of the landscape. • Responsible for the oversight and upkeep of the Garden including maintenance, landscape contractor, volunteer, and community group coordination. • Assist the ED in preparing and administrating the horticulture department budget to include budget monitoring and strategic planning. • Work with the Volunteer Coordinator and Education Coordinator to manage and lead the volunteer, community service, and student groups. • Ability to ensure and execute the safe application of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides and safely operate powered hand tools and other equipment as required. • Foster creativity, growth, and new ideas, to maintain relevancy and learning opportunities to enhance the knowledge and skills of the stewards as part of their volunteer experience. • Occasionally lead garden tours and assist with special events and projects that support the Garden’s mission and development. This is a permanent, part-time (30 hours/week) job with the potential to grow to a full-time staff position. Work will be done outside varying climatic conditions that include excessive heat and humidity. The position requires sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling and the ability to stand for long periods of time and to safely traverse uneven surfaces. The position frequently lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs. We offer medical and retirement benefits as well as a competitive salary of $23/hour+, depending on your experience.
Required Qualifications:
• At least 2 years of work experience in landscape maintenance, horticulture, public horticulture, or a closely related field • Proven ability to lead and mentor volunteers to achieve their highest potential • Broad hands-on knowledge of Landscape Best Management Practices and Integrated Pest Management theories and practices. Plant identification skills and knowledge of botanical nomenclature • Certification or willingness to be certified in pesticide application • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google suites • Demonstrated written and oral skills, comfort with public speaking, project management skills, ability to calculate figures and amounts, application of basic geometry • Have regular access to a vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license • Applicants must be available for flexible scheduling. Weekend hours are required on a semi-regular basis; evening hours are occasionally required.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Associate degree in landscape maintenance, horticulture or closely related field. In place of a degree, considerations are made with relevant field experience, certificate programs, internships, and volunteer experience.