Greenhouse Manager - Miller Nature Preserve

About the role

The Greenhouse Manager assists the park manager with planning, directing, and coordinating the operation, staff, maintenance, and associated programs for plant collections within Miller Nature Preserve’s Conservatory (5,000 square foot glass house display) as well as the outdoor gardens. This position oversees plant health care programs, researches, develops, and shares plant knowledge, manages inventory, operates climate control systems, and coordinates seasonal displays and exhibits.

Responsibilities

• Oversees plant health care programs (including IPM) in coordination with the park manager.
• Researches, develops, and shares plant knowledge, including identification and cultural care requirements.
• Collections and maintains records of information related to plant accessions, removals, transfers, labeling, and signage, ensuring accuracy and quality control.
• Identify and report on plant pest or illness concerns, determine and employ the best troubleshooting strategy to resolve issues promptly.
• Maintains plant care records and statistics for analysis and planning purposes, and keeps spray application records, introduction of beneficials log, animal care, and other records.
• Performs various greenhouse and gardening tasks associated with the care and maintenance of the greenhouse collections and outdoor plantings, including potting, repotting, watering, fertilizing, bed preparation, and layout.
• Plants, transplants, and maintains plantings of outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruits, etc. Trims and pruning of trees and hedges.
• Inspects and diagnoses insects, diseases, and physiological and other disorders, and utilizes fertilizers, pesticides, and cultural and biological methods to correct and control.
• Operates irrigation systems, mowers, edgers, blowers, rototillers, snow blowers, chainsaws, power, mechanical, and hand tools, and other equipment.
• Plans and constructs walls, fences, trellises, garden pools, etc. Installs, services, and repairs irrigation lines and valves, heaters, vents, fans, etc.
• Performs various administrative duties (e.g., prepares requisitions, monitors expenditures, assists with preparing the budget, maintains plant accession and performance records, etc.).
• Assists with interviews and evaluations of staff, interns, and volunteers. Supervises the activity of staff, interns, and volunteers (e.g., schedule, assign work, motivate, evaluate performance, and resolve conflicts).
• Trains volunteers and employees in proper operational procedures, park policies, rules, regulations, equipment usage, and safety practices.
• Assists the park manager in evaluating the effectiveness of operations and maintenance and suggests adjustments (e.g., new procedures, timeframes, and reports).
• Participates in the Park District safety program. Assists with park opening, closing, and patrolling; cleans and maintains the facility and grounds.
• Attends meetings and public speaking engagements as a Park District representative. Supports marketing and electronic media initiatives by developing content, highlighting plant collections, and participating in public outreach and media interviews.
• May write articles for in-house publications, newspapers, etc.

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor's degree in horticulture, plant science, greenhouse management, or any closely related field, or equivalent combination of professional experience and training.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in horticulture, conservatory, or greenhouse operations, preferably within a public garden, botanical garden, museum, zoo, or similar visitor-focused institution.
• Experience in supervision of staff and volunteers with a strong emphasis on staff training, mentorship, and team development.
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills.
• Proficiency in the use of basic computer software, including Microsoft and Google for standard office applications.

Skills

• Experience managing and caring for diverse living plant collections, including tropical or controlled environment collections.
• Knowledge of plant health care practices, including integrated pest management, fertilization, pruning, and disease identification.
• Hands-on experience with conservatory or greenhouse climate control systems, including temperature, humidity, lighting, and ventilation.
• Experience with the Argus climate control system and plant collections database system.
• Experience with maintenance and repair of cold fog equipment (humidity control) and a baseline understanding of boiler operations.
• Ability to develop, implement, and communicate effective plant maintenance and care strategies that support high standards of plant health and presentation.
• Willingness to acquire an Ohio Certified Pesticide Applicator’s License.
• Experience with project planning, scheduling, and coordination across departments, including collaboration with production of greenhouses, facilities, and operations teams.
• Experience in developing and implementing watering and plant care schedules, developing special events, purchasing, and bookkeeping/point of sale use.

Benefits

Rate of Pay: $37,000 to $72,000, with $54,000 at the midpoint. Commensurate with experience.

Pay

$37,000 to $72,000, with $54,000 at the midpoint. Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Qualifications

• Valid Ohio driver’s license.
• New employees must complete a background check.
• Lorain County Metropolitan Park District policy prohibits hiring new employees who use tobacco.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lorain County Metropolitan Park District is an equal opportunity employer.