Holden Forests & Gardens Cleveland , OH 44114
Posted 2 weeks ago
Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture
Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Horticulture & Collections department seeks a Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture to join our team at Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G). The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture is primarily responsible for managing the advancement and care of the gardens, glasshouses, grounds and animal care program at the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus. The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture works closely with Horticulturists, Curator of Living Collections and the Vice President Horticulture & Collections, to design, approve and install gardens to display the wonder and beauty of high conservation value plants, alongside classically beautiful specimens, throughout the 12-acre Cleveland Botanical Garden. A focal point for guests and a resource for researchers, gardens include outdoor & boundary gardens, interior plantscape, and neotropical & spiny forest biomes. The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture is a member of the Horticulture & Collections' supervisor team, to advance collaborative and consistent departmental growth, led by the VP Horticulture & Collections. Departmental goals are guided by HF&G's strategic plan, master site plan (Nelson Byrd Woltz), employer of choice initiative, collections management policy, design protocol, DEAI goals, and Phipps Climate Toolkit in alignment with HF&G's mission, vision, & values.
The Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture works in close collaboration with multiple team leads to ensure smooth running of fast-paced and overlapping operations including seasonal shows, events, rentals, public relations, and educational offerings. Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong. This role is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH with regular cross-campus representation at the Holden Arboretum and Long Science Center Nursery in Kirtland, OH and occasionally at Leach Research Station in Madison, OH.
Position Details:
Reports to the Vice President of Horticulture & Collections
Exempt Position
Full-Time
Key Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities of the Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture, include, but are not limited to:
Support Holden Forests & Gardens' mission, vision, and values
Provide day-to-day leadership, management and oversight to the Cleveland Botanical Garden horticulture & animal teams, grounds and activities according to the annual operations plans and the USDA animal program regulations
Lead, demonstrate, and mentor staff in exceptionally high-quality plant care and garden presentation
Provide supervision and guidance to Senior Horticulturists and Horticulturists including hiring, training, goal-setting, and appraisals
Work with the Curator of Living Collections to advance HF&G's curatorial goals
Work with the Curator of Living Collections and Nursery Manager to identify plants for acquisition
Advance goals for sustainable and ecological horticulture practices
Support HF&G's broad programming throughout the plantscapes to activate gardens and Living Collections
Collaborate with team leads to develop long-term planning for shows
Share deep horticultural knowledge, skill and expertise through practical, verbal and written forms to diverse public and professional audiences to inspire colleagues, donors, members, guests, funders and the public with the beauty, wonder and value of plants
Manage departmental budget
Plan staffing to manage weather events including snow removal
Manage external contractor services
Participate in cross-campus work days
Participate in and lead team meetings and committee memberships
Lead the review and advancement of safety guidelines and practices
Maintain a safe, productive and enjoyable working environment
Maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Skills:
Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
A bachelor's degree in public horticulture, horticulture, landscape architecture, ecology, botany, or a related field is required
Minimum of three (3) years managing and supervising horticultural staff in a public garden environment with living collections, required
Five (5) or more years managing and supervising horticultural staff, highly desired
Expertise in plant care with knowledge of cultivated plants and experience or desire to care for rare and endangered plants grown for ex-situ conservation purposes, required
Knowledge of plant taxonomy, required
Experience of designing gardens, required
Experience successfully managing and completing multiple active projects while staying within budgetary constraints and within specified timelines
Must have ISA certification or the ability to acquire within a year of start date
Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
Experience with Finance software or ability to learn
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:
Willing and able to operate a variety of handheld equipment such as pruners, shears, spade and forks and perform strenuous, hands-on work year-round in all types of weather conditions
Ability to operate a variety of machinery, equipment and small power tools including skidsteer, tractor, dump truck, utility vehicles, weed eaters, sprayers, push & riding mowers
Working outdoors or indoors where the ambient temperature spans 0-100 degrees Fahrenheit
Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven and/or rocky.
Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing and lifting
Carrying up to 50 lbs. carrying up to 50 lbs. on a repetitive basis daily
Some of the reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work!
We offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) |
Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland |
Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Holden Forests & Gardens values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G also provides regular DEAI training for staff, managers, volunteers and Board to create a welcoming and accessible environment. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Qualified applicants should submit résumé, cover letter and 3 professional references.
Holden Forests & Gardens (Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We seek skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals to join our staff and enhance our reputation as one of the country's foremost public gardens.
Holden Forests & Gardens