$ 17-$ 22/hr

Job Description

The Nature Reserve is an 80-acre landscape containing 1,800 varieties of azaleas, beautiful agricultural land, woodland, and streams. The Nature Reserve Horticulturist works diligently to preserve the land through regenerative practices while maintaining and advancing the rare collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, and other specimen plantings at the Reserve.

Responsibilities

Horticulture & Design

• Coordinate, oversee, and assist with the daily hands-on maintenance of the Nature Reserve and plant collections in a manner consistent with the horticultural standards of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• Physically work in all aspects of Reserve maintenance and development, including soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, potting, raking, sweeping & blowing.
• Preserve the aesthetics of the landscape throughout the season by developing plans, selection of plants, and locate plant sources.
• Monitor plant collections for pests and diseases and implement control treatments with support from Lewis Ginter IPM Horticulturist.
• Apply pesticides and fertilizers in accordance with IPM protocols and maintain application records.
• Utilize hand and power tools effectively and in accordance with LGBG safety protocols and regulatory standards

Collections Management

• Serve as a lead for the accreditation of the azalea and rhododendron collection.
• Collaborate with other public gardens, specialty nurseries, plant societies, and hobbyists to locate and source plants to expand or support the collection.
• Report plant additions and removals to the Plant Records Curator; perform periodic plant inventories and request accession tags and display labels.

Supervisory

• Prioritize horticultural tasks, develop work schedules, and coordinate their implementation with staff and volunteers assisting at the Reserve.
• Lead and supervise Seasonal Gardeners, occasional interns, and volunteers.
• Monitor operation of irrigation, equipment and facilities at the Reserve.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience with edible landscapes and/or agricultural crop maintenance practices and plant care appropriate to the region.
• Strong work ethic, keen interest in sustainable agriculture and organic food production, and an enthusiasm for physical work outdoors.
• The ability to research vegetable cultivars and to plan crop sequences and design bed layouts.
• A demonstrated understanding of the horticultural practices and procedures required for soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, mowing, raking, sweeping & blowing, and tree & brush cutting.
• The ability to use shovels, trowels, fan rakes, grading rakes, spades, digging forks, pickaxes, brooms, hand shears, hand saws, loppers, pole pruners & pole saws, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, garden carts, ladders, and other hand tools effectively.
• The ability to operate push mowers, riding mowers, weed-whackers, backpack blowers, push blowers, garden ATVs, pickup trucks, chainsaws and other power equipment safely and effectively.
• A willingness to interact with the public on an informal basis by answering questions, providing directions, etc.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• The physical strength, dexterity, and coordination sufficient to perform the above functions.
• Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work out-of-doors in Central Virginia seasonal extremes.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• An Associate’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or a related field.
• One year’s professional experience growing vegetables and fruits in a production setting.
• Virginia Pesticide Applicator’s License (or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire).
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Other combinations of education/experience appropriate to the job will be considered.
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish desired.

See a pdf with full job description.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Human Resources at [email protected]