Department: Grounds and Horticulture

Position Type: Full Time

Hourly or Salary: Salary

Pay Range: $40,000-$50,000

Overview

Horticulturists are assigned specific areas of this century old garden and surrounding museum landscape. You will be responsible for maintaining all plant material within those areas from majestic trees to seasonal tropical plantings. You will manage regularly scheduled seasonal staff and volunteers, as well as group volunteers to assist in garden maintenance and seasonal display initiatives. Unique to this position is the opportunity to participate in exciting garden renovations scheduled for the next five years. This position will be responsible for our newly renovated cut flower and vegetable garden in addition to the orchard and meadow plantings. Participating and developing the working relationships between all staff that include improving our diversity equity and inclusion efforts at Newfields.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and install new garden spaces, Reimagine new plantings to reinvigorate historical gardens while preserving their sense of place.
• Plan and initiate garden tasks related to design, installation and maintenance of woody and herbaceous plants including planting, mulching, weeding and edging.
• Supervise and adopt a leadership role with volunteers, seasonal staff, assistant horticulturists and fellows in the management of multiple areas throughout Newfields property, especially the high visibility annual and perennial plantings.
• Provide horticultural information to the public in conjunction with marketing and interpretive efforts.
• Assist grounds department and other departments as necessary with demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team; desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork.
• Diagnose and treat pest problems appropriately using an IPM method with emphasis on organic solutions and in compliance with applicable pesticide applicators licensing for the State of IN when necessary.
• Partner with local neighborhood organizations to donate produce and promote the growth of fresh food to local homeowners
• Serve as a Newfields ambassador in the gardens through excellent customer service, guest relations and by responding to requests (both internal and external) in a cordial and friendly manner. Works with garden volunteers/docents developing long-term productive relationships and growing the size of the program overtime.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of garden maintenance, installation, and design. Experience preferred in training espalier trees for ornamental effect and fruit production
• Knowledge with organic vegetable production to showcase varieties that inspire the public to grow more vegetables
• Experience with perennial and annual design for flower display and cut flower production
• Broad knowledge of plants and their proper nomenclature and culture
• Organizational skills
• Computer skills

A competitive salary is offered for all positions and a generous benefits package for full-time positions. To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• B.A./B.S. degree in horticulture, botany, or a related field preferred.
• Twelve months of understanding and implementing seasonal change outs and garden cultural management and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience with in-depth knowledge of plants, their cultivation and identification

Physical Demands of Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate