Conservatory Senior Gardener

About the role

The Senior Gardner position at the Volunteer Park Conservatory reports to the Conservatory education program supervisor under the direction of the Horticulture and Specialty Gardens Manager. This position involves the care and maintenance of permanent living collection for five-house Conservatory displays, design and plant selection for seasonal display beds, and plant propagation.

Responsibilities

• Plans, leads, assigns, and directs the work activities of gardeners in Conservatory team engaged in various aspects of indoor plant maintenance, Conservatory museum-like design and public displays, site management.
• Cares for subtropical and/or tropical plants in Permanent living collection.
• Develops, makes recommendations and/or implements the plant list for annual propagation plan.
• Supports site landscape maintenance, facility and Greenhouse repairs, restoration and capital improvements.
• Directs the implementation of landscape designs from blueprints and plans.
• Trains the team gardeners, seasonals and volunteers.
• Makes recommendations for ordering new materials, maintains time, pesticide control, and other related records, and prepare required reports.
• Aids in the preparation and justification of annual budget information. Maintains records on all expenditures.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned and duties of Laborer as needed.

Qualifications

• Three years work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).
• Washington Public Pesticide operator's license required after appointment.
• Current Washington State driver's license.

Additional Information

You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities for this position:

• Knowledge of biological sciences, horticulture and gardening, as well related interpretive program and development principles.
• Experience with Greenhouse or Conservatory maintenance and operation, including site improvements and renovation.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring and supervising staff.

Special Working Conditions

• Stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to lift objects up to 50 pounds.
• May occasionally be required to lift objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• May occasionally require handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Work may be performed in confined spaces and at heights up to 130 feet.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• May be required to work with other City and County agencies doing homeless encampment clean up.

Application Process

Please Submit The Following With Your Online Application:

• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.