Director of Horticulture – Historic London Town and Gardens

Director of Horticulture

The Director of Horticulture is a hands-on position requiring a strong combination of horticultural expertise and administrative skills. This position requires that the Director work side-by-side in the gardens with other staff and volunteers. The Director is responsible for the implementation of institution-wide horticultural goals and objectives, established in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees.

Responsibilities & Duties Horticulture / Grounds Management

• Oversee maintenance, improvement, and restoration of the grounds, gardens, propagation facilities, workspaces, and equipment.
• Perform a wide range of landscape maintenance tasks important to the preservation, protection, and display of the collection, including but not limited to soil preparation, planting, transplanting, mulching, weeding, watering and irrigation, fertilizing, pesticide application, tree work, etc.; oversee and perform winter snow and ice removal.
• Consult with Senior Staff to make facilities-related improvements on the grounds and to ensure that emergent problems are addressed promptly and safely.
• Bid out, secure, and/or oversee annual contracts for lawn and leaf maintenance, tree pruning, plant health care, irrigation maintenance, and other services, as necessary. Serve as the main organizational point of contact for grounds contractors; supervise all contract work on the grounds.
• Collaborate with staff, board, contracted professionals, and others, to plan for and implement capital projects related to London Town’s grounds and gardens (ex. disaster response and recovery, landscape improvement and renovation, grounds master planning).

Administrative / Operational Support

• Develop, propose, and oversee annual horticultural and grounds budget, track expenses & income.
• Set departmental priorities on both a day-to-day and mid-term basis in accordance with organization-wide priorities and needs.
• Prepare funding proposals for horticultural projects; oversee and administer pertinent grant projects as needed.
• Oversee or assist in the planning and execution of special events such as the plant sale or other London Town events and programs as needed.
• When tasked, represent London Town in meetings and interactions with partners and other stakeholders.

Collections Management / Education

• Maintain collections information.
• Generate accession and display labels for plant specimens in London Town’s collection.
• Ensure that plant acquisitions align with site’s mission, educational priorities, and aesthetic goals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Public Programs to oversee or assist with horticulture-related workshops, presentations, educational opportunities, public programs, etc.
• Assist the Director of Public Programs with historic areas garden management and care.
• Lead tours of the gardens on an as-requested basis.

Personnel Management / Recruitment

• Recruit, oversee, and set work priorities for seasonal gardeners, volunteers, and interns.
• Develop individual and group volunteer opportunities (in collaboration with other staff as necessary). Create a positive work environment where horticulture employees, interns, and volunteers feel supported and valued. Other duties as necessary and required.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited institution with a focus in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, or other related field, or a progressing history of success in a horticultural role at a public garden.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in a public garden.
• Maryland Pesticide Operator’s License; or ability to acquire same within 9 months of hire.
• Proven ability to lead and direct the work of others to complete general projects, including employee oversight, volunteer supervision, outside contractor collaboration, and project coordination.
• Highest level of professional and ethical conduct; demonstrates knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions about the living collections.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends, holidays, early mornings, or late evenings for grounds maintenance, public programs, or other needs.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment). Must be able to work in bright sunshine with probable high UV levels.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures up to 100°F as well as temperatures down to zero degrees, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop and reach for extended periods of time– 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
• Ability to safely operate tools, vehicles, and specialized equipment such as chainsaws, tractors, lawnmowers, etc.
• Willingness and ability to perform duties of other divisions as directed and be available for “stand-by” work on a predetermined basis or in response to emergency.

Work Schedule: The Director of Horticulture is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Though the position’s usual work schedule is Monday through Friday, because London Town is a public garden, the incumbent will be expected to work some weekend days and early morning or late evening hours throughout the year. For certain programs and site-wide events there will be a need for extended hours and/or additional workdays. These hours and needs will be arranged ahead of time between the Director of Horticulture and Executive Director. Reports to: Executive Director.

Compensation & Benefits: Starting salary: $62,000. This is considered a full-time position and is eligible for the following benefits:

• Retirement plan and Foundation match
• Foundation-paid flexible spending account
• Ability to buy into group health insurance with London Town paying 70% of the premium.
• 10 days of accrued annual leave and 7 days of personal leave each year, plus designated holidays.

 About Historic London Town and Gardens

Historic London Town and Gardens is operated by the London Town Foundation (a 501c3 nonprofit entity) on behalf of Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks. As such, our job is to ensure that we appropriately manage our historic, archaeological, and horticultural resources. We work with the Anne Arundel County government and other heritage organizations to promote London Town as an educational resource while ensuring the site’s sustainability for future visitors.

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume by October 12, 2024, to executivedirector@historiclondontown.org.