Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture

NYBG Job Description

Title

Reports to

Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture

Vice President of Glasshouses and Landscape

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture oversees the production program for producing approximately 80,000 plants for Special Exhibitions and outdoor seasonal displays, including the propagation, production, and shipping of plants across the Garden's glasshouses. The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture collaborates with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and the Manager of the Conservatory to oversee the care and maintenance of the glasshouse living collections in the Nolen Greenhouses and Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture directly supervises the union glasshouse gardening staff in the Nolen Greenhouses and works closely with colleagues in Horticulture and other NYBG divisions to ensure that production goals and schedules are met. In collaboration with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and the Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Landscape, the Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture contributes to special exhibition design, develops and implements production request lists and planting schedules, develops and implements best management practices for plant health, including biological control program, coordinates glasshouse maintenance activities, and oversees climate control systems and settings for the Garden's glasshouses.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

 Leadership

• Supervises directly a union work force responsible for growing a wide variety of plant material (annuals, perennials, bulbs, tropical, and hardy woody plants) for living glasshouse collections, changing exhibitions, and seasonal displays.
• Instructs and directs students in the School of Professional Horticulture and volunteers.
• In concert with the Director of Horticulture Operations, develops, implements, and tracks skills and safety training programs for staff, students, and volunteers.
• Establishes annual operating budgets for glasshouse work and tracks and manages expenditures accordingly.

Plant Production

• Manages plant orders, develops plant production request lists and crop production schedules, and contributes to special exhibition design in collaboration with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture to meet institutional needs and deadlines.
• Develops and implements best management practices for plant production including fertilizer schedules, plant movements and placement, pest and disease management, greenhouse growing environment, and growing techniques.
• Develops and maintains records of cultivation practices, procedures, and techniques.

Glasshouse Collections

• Collaborates with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, the Manager of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the Vice President for Glasshouses and Landscape to develop and implement strategies for collections-related work across both glasshouses.
• Develops and implements best management practices for glasshouse living collections including fertilizer schedules, plant movements and placement, pest and disease management, greenhouse growing environment, and growing techniques.
• Collaborates with Plant Records to track and record changes to the living collections.

Plant Health

• Collaborates with the Director of Horticulture Operations and AVP for Horticulture Operations and staff to monitor plant health in the Nolen Greenhouses and establish and implement strategies for integrated pest management, including biological control practices.
• Plants, supervises and tracks plant health treatments.
• Assists with the reporting of plant health treatments according to the requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Facility and Operations

• Establishes optimal climate settings for glasshouse collections and plant production and works with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Facilities Specialist to monitor and adjust as necessary.
• Coordinates glasshouse maintenance activities with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, Facilities Specialist, AVP for Horticulture Operations, Engineering, and Operations staff.
• Manages inventory of supplies needed for greenhouse operations and plant production.
• Oversees loading, shipping, and tracking of plants between glasshouses.

Institutional

• Represents NYBG at professional conferences, in the media, and for institutional events and activities when appropriate.
• Other related work, as required, including some weekend and holiday assignments. 

Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of experience supervising professional horticulturists in a glasshouse setting
• 3 years of experience producing and forcing diverse plant material for horticultural display
• Demonstrated knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) tools and techniques, including the use and management of beneficial insects in a glasshouse environment. Experience with biological control practices preferred.
• Strong foundation in growing medium and fertility management for glasshouse crops
• Demonstrated proficiency with greenhouse climate control and mechanical systems
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency in MS Office programs
• 2-year technical college degree in horticulture, greenhouse management or closely related area, or equivalent work experience
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator-Category 3A License issued by the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation at time of appointment or the ability to obtain such within six months of hire
• A driver's license valid in the State of New York at the time of hire
• OSHA 30 Training for General Industry at time of appointment or the ability to obtain such within six months of hire
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions and in a glasshouse environment in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools, and lift and\or move up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Baseline Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM

Must be able to work on weekends when scheduled.

Salary: commensurate with experience within the range of $100,000 to $110,000

Benefits:

• 15 Vacation Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Sick Days
• Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at [email protected]. 

If you are interested in applying for a position at the New York Botanical Garden, please go to http://www.nybg.org/employment to submit your application.

EOE

Please submit a cover letter.