Horticulturist II Formal Garden & Conservatories

Job Details

Job Location:

Boylston, MA 01505

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $25.00 - $26.00 Hourly

Job Category:
Other

New England Botanic Garden is committed to connecting people with plants, fostering environmental stewardship, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire our community through horticulture, education, and nature. The Horticulturist II is a hands-on supervisory position tasked with the care and maintenance of New England Botanic Garden’s Conservatories and associated outdoor garden spaces. The Horticulturist II works collaboratively across departments to execute exhibitions and programs in the conservatories and gardens while maintaining NEBG’s horticultural standards and ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors.

• Work within the Formal Gardens team, under the direction of the Formal Gardens Manager, to maintain conservatories and assigned garden areas to high standards established by the Director of Horticulture with an emphasis on sustainability and aesthetics.
• The position leads maintenance of the following spaces:
  Orangerie, Limonaia, Winter Garden, Court, and growing houses.
• Supervise two full-time year-round Gardeners, temporary gardeners, seasonal interns, and volunteers.
• Works collaboratively with staff within the Horticulture Department and other departments to plan and implement seasonal exhibitions and special events, including but not limited to the annual Orchid Exhibition
• Coordinates annual Conservatory Move-In and Move-Out with all staff and events schedule.
• Works with other Horticulture staff to manage, maintain, organize, and stock back-of-house spaces including the Potting Shed, Growing House (including the lift), Pit Hallway, Pit House, and Propagation House.
• Assists Horticulture staff to overwinter plant material in back-of-house horticulture areas
• Participate in hiring and performance reviews for direct reports.
• Design and install seasonal plantings and light displays in assigned garden areas directed by the Formal Gardens Manager.
• Perform and directs others to complete horticultural tasks including but not limitedto weeding, planting, mulching, pruning, deadheading, fertilizing, watering, repotting, and pest management.
• Operate and maintains power tools, lifts, vehicles, and other equipment.
• Lead volunteers to carry out regular maintenance of conservatory collection and gardens.
• Support exhibitions and special events as directed.
• Support snow removal operations; with training, safely operate snowblowers, salt spreaders, and other snow removal tools and equipment as directed.
• Weekend and holiday work is required on a rotational on-call basis.
• Be welcoming to all staff and the public
• Be respectful of staff differences and preferences
• Use gender neutral communication styles
• Respect everyone’s pronouns
• Attend IDEA workshops and training sessions
• Work with an awareness of surroundings in accordance with NEBG safety policies.
• Comply with provisions of the current Employee Handbook, all published personnel policies, and the requirements of the job description.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Horticulturist II position is non-exempt. The standard work schedule for this position is five days per week, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm with an unpaid 30-minute lunch.

The schedule may be flexible to accommodate the organization's needs. Occasional shifts in schedule will occur for the following events:

• The Horticulturist II coordinates their own schedule and the conservatory team schedule for weekend/holiday/vacation coverage to ensure 365 day continuous plant care.
• Evening hours around the Night Lights event in November, December and beginning of January. Three nights minimum are expected for this event.
• As part of the essential staff, there is the expectation of snow removal assistance as part of a larger team effort. The Horticulturist II will be expected to report to assist with snow removal efforts on a rotational scheduled weekend coverage roster.

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly and work outdoors in all seasonal extremes (Rain, snow, heat, cold).
• Effective communication skills…