Horticulture Supervisor

Job Description

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Position : Horticulture Supervisor

Reports to : Director of Facilities

Position Managed: Horticulture Maintainer, Gardener, Seasonal Grounds Keeper

Location: New York Aquarium

Department: Operations, Buildings & Grounds

Position Type : Full-time / Non-Union

Job Summary

The Horticulture Supervisor plays a vital role in effectively managing the NYA Horticulture Department and its assets. This position focuses on ensuring the aesthetic quality and maintenance of public exhibit spaces, planters, and all other public areas. The Supervisor will prioritize the supervision and mentorship of the Horticulture Department's maintenance and gardening staff, providing clear direction, instruction, and motivation to cultivate a high-performing team.

Major Responsibilities

• Conduct daily surveys and inspections of existing landscape conditions to assess plant health and generate actionable work orders for the maintenance and improvement of NYA grounds.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules to ensure adherence to best practices in horticultural care.
• Facilitate training sessions to enhance staff skills and knowledge in horticultural techniques and safety protocols.
• Field supervise Union and Seasonal staff during planting projects and the performance of routine landscape maintenance, including: weeding, pruning, exhibit work, and storm cleanup.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of contracted arborists/Landscape professionals on NYA campus.
• Maintain the horticulture department calendar, scheduling meetings, equipment maintenance, plantings, and seasonal work.
• Collaborate with the Director of Facilities to plan and execute seasonal planting and landscaping projects.
• Communicate and coordinate efforts with curators, managers, and supervisors in other departments to achieve the desired appearance of the exhibits, buildings, and grounds.
• Maintain and oversee all records required by the department, including tree maintenance records, SDS manuals, and receiving documents.
• Assist the Maintenance department in supervising cleanup efforts following weather events, including snowfalls.
• Provide operational coverage in support of the Buildings Supervisor during their absence, offering leadership to the team of both union and seasonal attendants as needed.
• Manage small-scale projects assigned by the Director of Facilities, ensuring timely completion.
• In-office administrative duties include checking and responding to emails, scheduling employees, distributing work assignments, ordering supplies, issuing work orders for repairs, attending departmental meetings, and preparing disciplinary and performance corrective actions as needed.
• Manage absences, timesheets, and accruals for Horticulture staff, ensuring precise tracking, accurate reporting, and timely submission for payroll processing.
  
  

Qualification Requirements

Job Qualifications

• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in horticulture, groundskeeping, and landscaping, with supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of various plant species, their care requirements, and appropriate planting techniques.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Strong skills in planning and executing horticultural projects, including planting, maintenance, and seasonal changes.
• Familiarity with horticultural safety standards and practices, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively coordinating with team members and other departments.
• Proficiency in using horticultural tools, equipment, and technology, including computer software for scheduling and record-keeping.
• Experience in a wholesale nursery, commercial landscape construction or maintenance company, zoo, park or other public space is desired.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to supervise staff work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, humidity, cold, snow, rain, and wind.
• Ability to supervise work while standing or walking for long periods of time, stooping, climbing, balancing, kneeling, bending, navigating uneven terrain, and lifting of objects or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

Salary Range

$60,000.00 to $65,000.00