Horticulturist

The Horticulturist is a full-time, non-exempt status position, working within the Gardens and Landscapes Department under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager of Horticulture. The Horticulturist supports the overall mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the Department to preserve, care for, and interpret the Association’s historic, cultural, and natural resources. The Horticulturist helps care for the estate’s historic gardens.

Responsibilities include:

planting, pruning, harvesting, applying soil amendments, water management, and weed and pest control.

Areas of responsibility may include, and are not limited to, the:
Botanic Garden, Sundries Field and Slave Cabin Garden, Grist Mill, Fruit and Nursery Garden, Lower Garden, Upper Garden, and landscape areas. Incumbent will collaborate with Historic Trades staff to provide interpretive support for activities at the Farm site, and will also assist with projects in the Upper and Lower Gardens, Fruit and Nursery Garden, and the historic and non-historic landscape as needed.

• Tasks include: daily inspection of gardens and walkways; planning, planting, harvesting, pruning, applying soil amendments; water management; debris removal; weed and pest control; mulching; and assisting with invasive plant management.
• Uses current best practices and responsible stewardship when performing the tasks outlined above.
• Work with team members to identify and control insects, diseases, and weeds. Apply insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides safely and properly, and maintain pesticide records.
• Understands basic soil structure and soil health, and the relationship to plant health.
• Operates and maintains equipment and power tools as needed.
• Maintains records of work activities and submits information for monthly reports.
• Responsible for staying up-to-date and informed on the latest horticultural practices and pesticides.
• Interacts positively with visitors, answering questions and giving directions.
• Practices and maintains safety standards and procedures in all work areas and assures others’ work safely as well.
• Works independently and with minimum supervision; however, certain tasks require the individual to work closely with other departmental staff in a team setting.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation within the Gardens and Landscapes department and throughout the Estate, with co-workers, management, and volunteers.
• Conducts all work in accordance with the Mount Vernon Ladies Association’s procedures and guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as requested by the immediate supervisor and carries out the completion of special assignments.
• This position is classified as essential, and the incumbent must be able to participate in ice and snow removal and storm-damage clean-up as needed.

$25-27 hourly

• A bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field of study; a minimum of two years’ work experience in horticulture, or a similar field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in planting, growing, and harvesting vegetables and field crops.
• Knowledgeable in the cultivation practices of native and non-native trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and possess an awareness of environmental practices that enhance local ecosystems.
• The ability to identify invasive plants and experience with controlling them is a plus.
• Ability to implement proper pruning techniques for all types of woody plants.
• Experience in operating a variety of equipment, including assorted hand and power tools, chainsaws, electric and diesel gators, tractors, loaders, aerial lifts, and dump trucks, is ideal.
• A background in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices,…