NATURE RESERVE HORTICULTURIST

Garden Overview

Mission

We connect people to plants by inspiring communities to explore and conserve nature

Vision

We are a Virginia garden of international significance leading in horticultural and educational excellence. We cultivate experiences that enhance each person’s relationship with the natural world.

Values

Responsibility, Innovation, Integrity, Hospitality and Inspiration

Founded in 1984, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a non-profit garden located in Richmond, Virginia’s Lakeside neighborhood. The Garden encompasses 82 acres, four lakes, 5,500 unique taxa of plants within 15 distinct outdoor gardens, 11 major buildings including a conservatory and greenhouse, plus an 80-acre branch site in Hanover County, the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve. Annually, Lewis Ginter engages over 17,000 students in innovative and exciting education programs and more than 400,000 annual visitors to the Garden. In recent years, the Garden has been honored with inclusion in several top ten lists for botanical gardens in North America.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees. We support the diversity and inclusion policy adopted by The American Public Gardens Association: to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture where the contributions of all community members are valued, respected and appreciated.

We are committed to elevating diverse backgrounds and experiences that aren’t currently represented amongst our Horticulture Team. We value the opportunity to work with individuals from different cultures and understand that like diverse ecosystems, diverse workplaces are needed for success. Our Horticulture staff exhibits a tireless commitment to creating new and innovative gardens and displays that delight and inspire visitors of all ages and from all backgrounds. We are committed to demonstrating the use and cultivation of a wide palette of native and exotic plants suitable for use in Central Virginia and strive to maintain our collections to the highest standards in an environmentally responsible way. We think independently, work collaboratively, and are unified in our passion for horticulture. We come from diverse backgrounds and celebrate different ways of being, in ourselves and in others.

Job Description

The Nature Reserve is an 80-acre landscape containing 1,800 varieties of azaleas, beautiful agricultural land, woodland, and streams located in Hanover County. 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. The full time, weekly schedule for this position is Monday through Thursday for a total of 37.5 hours/week.

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, mowing, natural areas management, sweeping & blowing.
  • Preserve the aesthetics of the landscape throughout the seasons by developing plans, selection of plants, and locating 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 tractors, 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
  • Work with the Reserve Manager to 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 designed landscapes and/or horticultural practices appropriate to the region.
• Strong work ethic, keen interest in the natural world, and an enthusiasm for physical work outdoors.
• 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 tractors, 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 guests 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 on a full time basis.
• Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, lift, 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 75 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 years’ professional experience as a Horticulturist or groundskeeper.
• 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 desirable.

Each employee of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Must comply with provisions of the current Employee handbook, all published personnel policies and the requirements of their individual job descriptions.
• Must perform all duties in a manner consistent with a public garden serving multigenerational and multicultural individuals, families, and in accordance with directed practices and procedures.
• Must be aware of surroundings and vigilant to threats to the safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff or to security of their property, ensuring that all concerns are reported promptly
• Must report all injuries and incidents immediately and ultimately in writing to supervisor(s) and to Human Resources.
• Must ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulation
• Must perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hr@lewisginter.org.