Description

Cultivated Areas Supervisor

Department: Plant Science & Conservation

Supervisor: Horticulture Manager

Supervises: Horticulturists, Gardeners, Seasonal Staff and Intern(s), Volunteers

FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time, Exempt 

Revision Date: April 2024

Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule. Work will require occasional evening, regular weekend, and occasional holiday hours depending on the season.

Position Summary: 

Supervise assigned personnel and lead the essential functions associated with the installation, management and maintenance of collections, displays, exhibits, lawns and cultivated areas of the Garden. This includes irrigation, fertilization, IPM, shrubs, perennials and annuals and arboriculture programs. 

Essential Functions:  

• Collaborate with Natural Areas, Education Areas, Facilities & Grounds, Plant Conservation & Curation, and Learning & Public Engagement departments to coordinate Garden initiatives, maintenance, and horticultural operations.
• Supervise staff and volunteers on projects and tasks related to areas of responsibility. Duties to include scheduling, assignment of tasks, performance feedback, recognition, staff development and training in keeping with the Garden’s policies and procedures. Coach and enforce safety procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard recognition skills. 
• Collaborate with the Designer in Residence to design and implement seasonal color displays and consult the Curator for all plant selections anticipated to be in the ground for more than one year. Support and participate in the Garden’s strategic and master planning efforts. 
• Assess, develop, implement and evaluate necessary horticultural practices for arboriculture monitoring and care, and IPM for the cultivated areas of the Garden. Monitor irrigation systems and practices, and coordinate repair needs and priorities with the Horticulture Manager and Turf and Irrigation Technician.
• Train, coach and develop staff and volunteers to adhere to best horticultural practices, procedures and policies, and core values.
• Assist with the documentation and mapping of changes per Plant Records Workflow Manual. Use Survey 123 and to assist with the tracking and record keeping in the cultivated Garden areas.
• Manage the safe use, basic care and storage of all departmental equipment and tools. Oversee and monitor the proper use of fertilizers and pesticides to include safe mixing and storage.
• Manage and execute assigned projects to include contractors and vendors ensuring deliverables meet schedule, budget, and quality requirements and performs other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a related field from an accredited program and 2 years of relevant landscape and management experience or 6 years of relevant experience in horticulture, public gardens, or high-end landscapes demonstrating progression in the profession and crew management skills. Demonstrated expertise in horticultural best practices. Strong knowledge of U.S. Zone 7 & 8 plants and their proper care. Coaching and communication skills (verbal and written) are required. Proficient with Microsoft Office. 

Success Factors:

• Have or attain credentials in: 1) First Aid and CPR; 2) Alabama Pesticide Operator's License (OTPC), and 3) Motor Vehicle operation insurability and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. 
• Aptitude and experience with safely operating large equipment, such as trucks, tractors, and riding mowers required. Skilled in using hand tools and operating small power equipment required. Efficient and effective in execution of tasks. 
• Ability and willingness to adapt to various duties and responsibilities in all weather conditions. 
• Ability to organize work, create schedules, and problem solve. Decision making skills and the ability to prioritize. 
• Ability to relate and work effectively with diverse people and ideas. Guest service-focused with the ability to relate kindly and respectfully with persons internally and external to the Garden. 
• Must demonstrate the Garden’s Core Values in all relationships at work and behave ethically in all business matters. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent certification in horticulture or a related field from an accredited program and 4 years of relevant experience in horticulture, public gardens, or high-end landscapes demonstrating progression in the profession and crew management and leadership skills.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical Demands: Requires significant physical activity such as occasional lifting (50 to 100-lb) with team member assistance several times each day, frequent solo lifting (up to 50-lb), bending, climbing (up to 15-ft), walking over uneven and sloping terrain. Sense of vision and hearing in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required.
• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. Exposure to loud, prolonged noises and/or vibrations.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize major duties and responsibilities of employees, and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.