Manager of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

NYBG Job Description

Title

Reports to

Manager of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Vivian and Edward Merrin

Vice President for

Glasshouses and Landscape

Position Summary:

The Manager of Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is a key member of the Glasshouse management team. This position establishes and maintains the highest standard of glasshouse collections and display horticulture in the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The manager supports the Vice President for Glasshouses, the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, and the Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture with the design and documentation of plant displays and special exhibitions. The manager directly supervises professional horticulturists who care for the permanent glasshouse collections, changing exhibitions, and seasonal displays under glass and in associated locations outdoors. The manager ensures the optimal growing environment through direct oversight of climate control systems and close collaboration with colleagues in Horticulture, Engineering, and Operations on the maintenance of the facility. The manager develops and implements planting and maintenance schedules, develops and implements best management practices for plant health, and coordinates glasshouse maintenance activities with the Glasshouse Facility Specialist. The manager trains and oversees students, interns, and volunteers and participates in a range of institutional events and activities.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Directly supervises gardening staff in all work related to maintenance of a broad diversity of Glasshouse plant material including tropical, sub-tropical, aquatic, and arid plants.
• In coordination with the Director of Horticulture Operations, develops, implements, and tracks skills and safety training programs for staff, students, and volunteers
• In coordination with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, develops and implements a glasshouse-wide approach to work prioritization, labor allocation, and facilities oversight.
• Works closely with School of Professional Horticulture staff to implement horticultural skill training and overall educational experience for students.

Special Exhibitions

• Directly supervises staff responsible for the installation, maintenance, and de-installation of all glasshouse exhibitions and displays.
• Supports the Vice President for Glasshouses and Director of Glasshouse Horticulture in the design and documentation of permanent displays and special exhibitions.
• Works closely with Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture to coordinate production for Conservatory exhibitions and collections, including loading and shipping of plants.

Glasshouse Collections

• Works closely with Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Director of Glasshouse Horticulture to coordinate propagation, and development of Glasshouse collections, including loading and shipping of plants.
• Develops and maintains records of cultivation practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Collaborates with Plant Records team to track information on the living collections.

Plant Health

• Monitors plant health and in consultation with the Director of Horticulture Operations, develops and implements best management practices for plant care including fertilizer schedules, plant movements and placement, pest and disease management, glasshouse growing environment, and growing techniques.

Facility and Operations

• Establishes optimal climate settings for greenhouse collections and displays and works with the Director of the Glasshouse Horticulture and Facility Specialist to monitor and adjust as necessary.
• Works with Horticulture managers and facilities staff and Operations, Engineering, and Capital Projects staff on all glasshouse, environmental control systems, and infrastructure-related issues.
• Manages inventory of supplies needed for greenhouse operations and special exhibitions.
• Establishes annual operating budgets for glasshouse work and manages expenses accordingly.

Institutional

• Represents NYBG at professional conferences, in the media, and for institutional events and activities, when appropriate.
• Works closely with Horticulture managers and curators, Exhibitions staff, Advancement staff, and other internal and external collaborators to develop and plan for exhibitions and events held in the Conservatory.
• Other related work, as required, including some evening, weekend, and holiday assignments.

Qualifications:

• 2-year technical college degree in horticulture, glasshouse management or closely related area, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 years’ experience working with diverse collections of tropical or glasshouse plants or 3 years’ experience and a certificate or degree from an accredited horticulture or professional gardening program.
• 3 years’ experience as a supervisor.
• Demonstrated experience designing, documenting, and installing temporary horticultural displays.
• Demonstrated proficiency with greenhouse climate control and mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) tools and techniques, including the use and management of beneficial insects in a glasshouse environment.
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification—Category 3A issued by the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation at the time of appointment or the ability to obtain such within two years of hire.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• OSHA 30 Training for General Industry at time of appointment or the ability to obtain such within six months of hire
• Competency with Microsoft Office programs required, familiarity with plant records databases and climate control systems desired.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A driver’s license valid in New York State at the time of hire

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 the weekends when scheduled and early mornings and evenings when necessary.

Salary: commensurate with experience within the range of $90,000-$100,000

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