Horticultural Specilist

Responsibilities

• Apply subject matter expertise of a wide range of plant species and current standards to properly plan, install, and maintain horticultural displays and gardens.
• Perform a daily maintenance and cleaning routine to remove weeds, debris and litter from demonstration areas.
• This includes keeping walkways clear and ensuring hardscapes are in good order to promote both beauty and the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
• Snow removal, leaf removal, and storm damage clean up are also within the realm of garden maintenance.
• Protect all plant material within the assigned garden from the damaging effects of pest and disease, monitoring on a set schedule to detect early signs of damage, and implementing interventions including practicing Integrated Pest Management.
• Properly install all new herbaceous and woody plant material, performing tasks including but not limited to choosing the correct mulch and applying it in the proper fashion, irrigating the collection and monitoring soil moisture, pruning, and fertilizer application.
• Maintain up to date records, identifying key plants and key plant pest within the assigned area and treatments that are applied.
• Provide hands-on training and enthusiastic leadership to Grounds Workers tasked with supporting the maintenance efforts in the assigned area.
• Provide interpretation of the Formal Gardens, assisting with guided tours and other events as needed.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Four years of experience.
• Licensure/Certifications: Valid VA driver's license. Certification may be required within 12 months of hire for specific equipment usage and/or specialty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Horticultural or related degrees.
• Maintenance or installation of intensely designed gardens.
• Any Horticulture Related Certificate (i.e VNLA, PGMS, VTC, CBLP).

Physical Demands

• Standing, traveling, and lifting various weights above and below the waist various weights which may include different landscape equipment and materials.
• The use of both hands and repetitive motion will be required while pruning, driving, weeding, and pushing lawn mowers.
• This position is exposed to varying temperatures due to outside work and to noise from working around and with machinery.
• Potentially exposed to contaminants and chemicals due to the use of fuel and landscape fertilizers, etc.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range is $20.00–$24.00, commensurate with education and experience.