Director of Horticulture

OVERVIEW

• Directly oversee all horticultural activities on Governors Island including:
  • o The development and implementation of daily and seasonal maintenance practices and a cohesive management plan;
  • o Establishment of a zone management system;
  • o Plant selection, acquisition and installation;
  • o Garden design;
  • o Tree care;
  • o Pest identification and management.
• Demonstrate expertise in diverse garden settings, native plants, ecological gardening, and horticultural design.
• Supervise the horticulture team in the field, providing guidance and feedback on essential tasks, ensuring best practices are followed. Expected presence in the field at least 25% of efforts to provide direct supervision or direct care for plantings or landscaping work.
• Ensure optimal staffing of the horticulture team, including recruiting, hiring, training and scheduling.
• Develop and implement best practices and standards for all members of the horticulture team, ensuring that employees receive ongoing instruction and opportunities for professional development.
• Lead the measurement of the horticulture team’s performance and ensure compliance with Trust policies, including safety, job performance and personal conduct.
• Provide expertise and vision for new and existing team members, articulating departmental priorities on a daily/weekly basis and ensuring that work plans are designed and executed in conjunction with such priorities. 
• Develop and maintain annual plan for seasonal gardening / landscaping work such as planting, pruning, weeding, watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest management, etc.
• Assess existing horticultural challenges in planted areas and work with horticulture staff, designers, and consultants to formulate appropriate responses and implement changes as necessary.
• Develop and maintain budgets and monitor spending related to horticulture maintenance.
• Lead procurement, including bid process and RFP development, contract development, project management and on-site supervision of third-party vendors for open space modifications, renovations, maintenance, and care.
• Ensure materials, vehicles, tools and equipment are adequately supplied, in good repair and properly maintained and stored.
• Lead the information capture and maintenance of records of plantings, planted areas, trees, and related information, to be collected and recorded in the Trust’s asset management system.
• Cultivate a healthy and supportive culture amongst the horticulture team and collaborate effectively with other Island-wide teams.
• Collaborate with Landscaping leadership on existing landscape challenges, provide consult on turf management as requested.
• Actively promote and contribute to the Trust’s sustainability initiatives open space management.
• Coordinate with the Trust’s Programming staff to facilitate event load-ins and set-ups to ensure protection of gardens and planted areas at all times.
• Work with the Governors Island Foundation, participating in donor cultivation, and stewardship efforts related to Trust horticulture; identify opportunities for donor engagement and volunteerism around horticultural and operational initiatives.
• Participate in a range of activities with Trust teams beyond the typical work day, including events and programs, fundraising initiatives, tours, and stewardship and cultivation activities as needed.
• Ensure that the Island’s open spaces are utilized by the public, tenants and program partners in a way that is safe and protects the health of trees and other plantings.

• Professional degree in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• New York Pesticide applicator license preferred.

• 7+ years of horticultural experience particularly experience working in a park or public space.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience; supervising full time and seasonal gardeners and volunteers preferred. 

• Working knowledge of garden design principles.

• Experience with staff supervision, budget management and project management.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
• Ability to manage and motivate a team, with strong communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts as they arise.
• Interpersonal skills that enable easy establishment of good relationships with immediate team, other Trust departments, tenants and vendors.
• High level of personal accountability, self-organization, autonomy and discipline.
• Ability to be agile and flexible with expectations and direction.
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions that adhere to the purpose, mission, and goals of The Trust.
• Ability to work with integrity, discretion, and a professional approach.
• A systems-thinker with demonstrated ability to develop processes from scratch.
• Ability and willingness to work on-site five days per week, 7am – 3pm or 8am – 4pm; ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to perform heavy, physical labor on a daily basis; to walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and regularly lift and/or move 50 lbs. with proper tools.
• Strong computer skills; experience with asset management systems preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required.
• Driver’s license required.

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