Cut Flower & Potager Specialist
Posted 6 days ago
Cut Flower & Potager Specialist
Oak Spring Garden Foundation - Virginia (Upperville)
OSGF is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Cut Flower and Potager Specialist (CF&PS) to work in the formal and production gardens and greenhouses. The selected candidate will be hired on a two-year employment contract. If available, on-site housing accommodations may be included for non-local candidates for the duration of the contract. This position is full-time with benefits. Schedule: Full-time, permanent position beginning January 5, 2026 - Monday through Friday (40 hours per week), with some weekend and evening hours. Location: Upperville, VA; The Oak Spring estate is located in rural northern Virginia, 15 minutes from the nearest town. Compensation: Starting salary is commensurate with experience. Paid holidays, vacation and sick days are provided, as well as optional health/vision/dental insurance and a 403(b) package. To Apply: We will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until this position is filled. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to hr@osgf.org with the subject line “Cut Flower and Potager Specialist”. Please note, applications submitted with cover letters will be given preference. POSITION DESCRIPTION CF&PS will work closely with the Head Gardener in the management and maintenance of the iconic kitchen garden (potager) in Mrs. Mellon’s walled garden and in the two (2) dedicated areas for seasonal and perennial cut flower production on the property. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in horticulture, a love for edible and ornamental plants, and a keen eye for garden aesthetics and productivity. The CF&PS will work 30% of weekly hours in potager and cut flower, and 70% of time on other garden activities at the Head Gardener’s discretion. The CF&PS, working closely with the Head Gardener, will ensure horticultural standards are met and all operational procedures are followed. The CF&PS will foster a collaborative, safe, and productive working environment for the Garden Team, horticulture apprentices and volunteers. This individual, in collaboration with the Programs Team and the Head Gardener, will assist in the smooth delivery of ongoing horticultural programs (workshops, lectures, short courses and other Garden Team events) in alignment with the mission and values of OSGF. The PRS will foster excellent working relationships with staff working in other departments within the OSGF Teams. RESPONSIBILITIES Potager Garden ? Design, plant, and maintain a productive and aesthetically pleasing kitchen garden. ? Grow a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers including varieties historically grown by Mrs. Mellon using organic and sustainable methods. ? Plan/manage seed schedules and seasonal rotations, soil improvements, and pest/disease management strategies. ? Harvest produce for use in private kitchens, events, or farm-to-table programs. Cut Flower Garden ? Design, plant and maintain the two (2) dedicated gardens for cut flower production. ? Plan seed schedules and seasonal rotations, soil improvements, and pest/disease management strategies. ? Grow a variety of annuals, perennials, bulbs, and foliage plants suitable for floral arrangements used onsite and for weekly CSA. ? Harvest flowers at peak condition and manage post-harvest care and conditioning. ? Harvest and maintain dried flowers for use in programs and by the Local Education and Outreach Team. ? Work with the Head Gardener and Programs Team to create and engage in meaningful programming onsite and for the OSGF website. General Garden Duties ? Work closely with the Head Gardener and other members of the Garden Team to ensure that the formal garden and landscape is maintained to a high standard and style that respects the principles established by Mrs. Mellon. ? Proper care, treatment and ongoing maintenance of the formal garden, display greenhouse, production greenhouse, and adjacent spaces including watering, planting, weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching and propagation of cultivated species. ? Assisting with planting, removal and dividing of both annual and perennials, and also the cultivation of vegetables planted in the formal garden. ? Preparing, planting and evaluating plantings within beds for overall health, including identifying and addressing problems with diseases and invasive pests. ? Working with Garden and Arboriculture, Conservation and Landscape Teams on on-site composting and recycling of garden organic waste. ? Assisting with the ordering of supplies and materials for the garden. ? Liaising with the Biocultural Conservation Farm Team to ensure that vegetables produced in the formal garden do not go to waste. ? Assisting with propagation of plants and seed collection, and contributing to the development of protocols for these processes. ? Other duties and special projects as assigned by the Head Gardener. WORKING CONDITIONS The CF&PS must be comfortable working both indoors and outdoors, in extreme temperatures of Virginia’s ecological environment, and more. Days can sometimes feel long, even though we keep to an 8-hour day, and the work can be strenuous. For the right individual this work is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling!
Required Qualifications:
? Certificate, diploma, or degree in horticulture. Recognized professional horticultural qualifications preferred. ? Candidates are required to hold a current Ornamental Horticulture Pesticide License, or be eligible to obtain one within a specified time frame. ? Candidates should have at least two (2) years of hands-on experience in cut-flower production, designing and maintaining potager-style gardens, and practicing fine horticulture techniques. ? Ability to lift at least 30 pounds. ? Capacity to operate and maintain normal garden machinery. ? Strong working knowledge of horticulture and landscape practices including tree pruning, formal garden maintenance, cut flower garden management, vegetable garden management and greenhouse management. ? Deep understanding of plant identification, including perennials, annuals, shrubs, and trees. ? Knowledge of plant health care, soil science, and fertilization practices. ? Strong working knowledge of current trends and practices in environmentally sustainable horticulture. ? Experience in greenhouse or nursery propagation (seed starting, cuttings). ? Strong communication skills for working collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and the public. ? Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills. ? Ability to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time (i.e. weeding, mulching). ? Ability to work independently and also as a part of a team. ? Ability to exhibit safe and responsible conduct in outdoor environments. ? Must have a Driver’s License and a reliable method of transportation to and from work.