Horticulturist Job Description
Heathcote Botanical Gardens is seeking a Horticulturist to be responsible for the design, installation, care and presentation of horticultural displays and garden grounds. Heathcote Botanical Gardens offers an array of themed gardens creating a seasonal, aesthetically pleasing and inspiring experience for our visitors. It showcases semi-tropical plants, including a large collection of semi-tropical bonsai, palms, and annual display gardens. We are looking for a Horticulturist with a passion for displaying and maintaining ornamental semi-tropical plants and Florida native plants at a high level of horticultural excellence. The individual will have a good eye for garden design and an ambition to design inspiring plant compositions.
This individual will have the ability to perform a full range of horticultural tasks and duties, including fine ornamental and landscape gardening. The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, a track record of comfortably working independently and as part of a team, experience prioritizing and planning work, and the ability to lead the maintenance and evolution of garden spaces. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Horticulturist will be responsible for directing and mentoring part-time groundskeepers, the bonsai collection curator, contractors, volunteers, and community service participants. The individual is expected to build a strong working relationship with the St. Lucie County Master Gardener Program and the St. Lucie County UF/IFAS Extension Program. The individual will establish plans and standard operating procedures for creating and maintaining garden displays, and develop and install interpretive signs for plant material. The ideal candidate will have the ability to articulate, engage and share their expertise with staff, volunteers, donors and guests. The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to support fund-raising activities and events, and will be responsible for preparing for hurricanes and frost events.
Minimum requirements include 4 years of formal horticultural education or training and 3 years of gardening experience in a public garden, park, private estate, golf course or similar setting. The position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Florida weather year-round, understanding integrated pest management, and operating small equipment. The work schedule includes occasional weekend and evening work. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and have or be willing to obtain a Florida Pesticide Applicator’s license.
For full consideration please include a resume and cover letter addressing pertinent qualifications and interests by email to [email protected], or fax to 772-464-2676. Heathcote Botanical Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that diversity, equality, and inclusion strengthen our institution.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2020
