Role: Horticulture Specialist
Reports To: Director of Horticulture
FSLA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt Full Time (32 -40 hours per week depending on season. Weekends required/some evenings)
Location: On-site in New Canaan, CT
About Grace Farms:
Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.
Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Director of Horticulture, perform gardening & horticulture duties including, but not limited to: planting, mulching, weeding, staking, deadheading, pruning, watering, plant and pest identification, and integrated pest management within Grace Farms' organic vegetable & flower garden and multi-ecosystem landscape.
• Assist with plant propagation/production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed; cuttings; transplanting; watering; and additional plant care as needed.
• Select plants for assigned garden space(s), including annual plantings and improvements to existing garden beds. The curation of plants will be in collaboration with the Director of Horticulture.
• Collaborate with other departments within the organization to develop horticulture related programmatic activities and events. Assist the Director of Horticulture in educational outreach activities including: teaching classes, facilitating programs/activities, speaking to groups at events, leading specialized tours, and working with interns, and volunteers.
• Provide training and mentorship to horticulture interns, seasonal gardeners, and volunteers.
• Pro-Actively engage with visitors and staff in a welcoming way about Grace Farms' horticultural practices, its landscape and gardens making the information accessible and relevant for all age groups.
• May participate in occasional specialty tasks such as floral arranging and assisting with floral design for events, or others as identified.
• Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ensure plant health. Identifies and diagnoses pests, diseases, and other plant problems. Determines effective treatment utilizing the IPM principles.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of basic horticultural practices and procedures required for soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, and raking.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with plants common in the horticulture trade in the Northeast, organic vegetable gardening and knowledge of the region's wild flora desirable.
• Proficiency in identifying frequently used woody, herbaceous, and annual landscape plants by common name and ability to identify common insect pests and diseases of annuals, perennials, and woody landscape plants.
• Willingness and ability to share horticulture practices and the natural world with diverse audiences.
• Must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and sustainable/organic gardening practices.
• Ability to use shovels, trowels, rakes, spades, digging forks, pruners, and other basic gardening tools, and machinery.
• Must be able to facilitate information and programming to a wide variety of audiences including adults, children and intergenerational groups.
• Excellent communications and collaboration skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team. Must be comfortable interacting with guests, staff, and the community.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Must have flexible schedule to work weekends (likely every Saturday) and some evenings. Reliable transportation is required.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or a related field is strongly preferred but not required. Associate degree in horticulture or related field is required with substantial field experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of equivalent working experience in horticulture/landscape design and maintenance.

Physical Requirements:
Must be able to lift a minimum to forty (40) lbs. Physical activities will include standing/bending/stooping/ squatting/reaching above shoulder level/ kneeling. Must be able to use hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, manipulation and grasping. Must be able to use head/neck in rotational, extension and flexing movements. Position requires extended time outdoors in a variety of conditions (e.g., hot sun, rain, cold temperatures, etc.)
Benefits
Grace Farms offers a competitive benefit package that includes a choice of medical plans, a dental and vision plan, 100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability and a 403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match. We encourage our staff to take time off to rest and recharge and provide PTO, sick, and personal days as well as 11 paid holidays. All staff are welcome to explore the beautiful 80-acres of our preserved land and may take part in any of the numerous public events on-site.
Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.