Foreperson of Gardens and Grounds

Harvard University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with universityconrib

Wellbeing and mental health resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Job summary

Harvard University in Washington, DC seeks a Garden and Grounds Foreperson to lead horticultural programs, coordinate departmental crews, and oversee contracted trades. The role emphasizes IPM, irrigation management, and historic garden practices across campus landscapes.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field, five or more years in horticulture with mechanical systems, and licensing such as a DC pesticide applicator and ISA arborist certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or equivalent.
• Five or more years of experience in horticulture and maintenance of mechanical systems.
• ISA arborist certification preferred; DC pesticide applicator license within one year of hire.
• Valid DC pesticide applicators license within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Oversees Integrated Pest Management (IPM) activities and plant health.
• Coordinates emergency/weather response and weekend work as needed.
• Purchases and maintains all equipment and supplies.
• Oversees tree and woody plant pruning to ISA standards and safety.
• Coordinates turf maintenance, irrigation programming, and equipment repairs.
• Trains and supervises volunteers in collaboration with Crew Leaders.
• Oversees contracted work in irrigation, masonry, arboriculture and other trades.

Skills

English communication

Conversational Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

ISA arborist certification

DC pesticide applicators license

Valid driver’s license

Job description

• Salary Grade: 056
• Department: Arts and Humanities - Dumbarton Oaks
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Garden and Grounds Foreperson is a non-supervisory leadership position that works closely with the Director to coordinate and oversee departmental programs, gardening activities, and contracted support. The foreperson works closely with all crew leaders and gardeners across all garden crews, advising on and facilitating the adoption and use of best practices in areas of horticulture, integrated pest management, irrigation, arboriculture, historic preservation, and soil diagnostics and remediation. The foreperson coordinates and oversees programs and operational activities for the department, including vehicle and equipment safety, integrated pest management, tree management, turf management, irrigation, and inclement weather response. The foreperson coordinates and oversees contracted work in the areas of irrigation, masonry, arboriculture, mechanical, and other skilled trades.

• This is a critical, essential employee position, which will require the employee to work during emergencies.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversees/conducts Integrated Pest Management activities. Monitors plant health, including pathology, entomology, fertility needs, and irrigation regimens. Responds accordingly in compliance with accepted IPM practices and DC and Federal laws. Qualifies as a DC Licensed Pesticide Applicator within one year of hire.
• Assists the Garden Director in coordinating and overseeing campus emergency and storm or severe weather response. May be required to work additional time on short notice. Works occasionally on weekends, as needed.
• Purchases and maintains all equipment, selects and purchases tools and staff supplies, including personal protective equipment.
• Coordinates and oversees boxwood blight remediation activities, including spraying, pruning, and other cultural control methods. Assists in training staff in best management practices for boxwood culture; ensures best practices are followed when working in areas of the garden containing boxwood.
• Oversees tree and woody plant pruning to ensure best ISA practices, proper timing, and safety.
• Coordinates the scheduling of preventive maintenance on vehicles, the compliance with all DC inspections, registrations, licensing, and permits. Ensures up-to-date proof-of-insurance cards in all garden vehicles.
• Oversees the IPM program, including pesticide applications, pesticide inventory management, pesticide disposal, and leads compliance program for pesticide applicators and operators through the DC Department of Environment (DOEE). Maintains and submits pesticide use records in compliance with DOEE.
• Assists in overseeing the tree management program, including inventory updates, annual walk-throughs to assess work needed, quality control for in-house and contracted pruning, IPM for trees, risk/hazard assessments, and tree succession planning and planting oversight.
• Coordinates and oversees turf maintenance and renovations, including aeration, seeding, fertilizer application, herbicide application, and disease management and treatment.
• Provides technical support to all crews in identifying and correcting irrigation issues. Leads small in-house repair efforts. Oversees irrigation programming to ensure adequate coverage and proper timing and quantity of irrigated water.
• Trains, coordinates, and supervises volunteers in collaboration with Crew Leaders.
• Ensures proper functioning of irrigation system across garden crew areas, coordinates repairs, spring start-up, fall winterization, and augmentation of existing systems.
• Coordinates and oversees masonry work, assisting with planning, signage for closed areas, and quality control as work progresses.
• Monitors tree health including maintenance of inventory records within ArborScope. Supervises all tree work including pesticide applications, pruning, and removals. Coordinates tree work with the DC Urban Forestry Administration to receive appropriate permits for tree work and removals and with the National Park Service for permissions to access the property’s periphery.
• Assists with contracted support for mechanical systems, including the swimming pool, to ensure quality control as work progresses. Works on the maintenance of the swimming pool and its filtration systems including coordination with the DC Department of Health and the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for health inspections and licensing requirements. Monitors pool chemical and mechanical systems on-site and remotely. Coordinates and oversees pool mechanical system repairs with swimming pool contractors. Provides technical guidance to crews needing assistance with water feature maintenance and repair.
• Coordinates and oversees skilled trade work in the gardens, including blacksmithing, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry to ensure quality control and safety.
• Assists with other areas of the garden and special projects as needed and performs other duties as required.
• Assumes responsibility for garden and grounds operations in an acting capacity during absence of the Director.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work outside in various weather conditions
• Endurance to walk, stand, kneel, bend, stoop, and climb
• Strength to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a field related to horticulture, or an equivalent of education plus relevant experience
• Five or more years of experience in the maintenance of mechanical systems and equipment
• Five or more years of experience in horticulture, preferably in public and/or historic gardens

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance
• Ability to oversee contractors and projects
• ISA arborist certification preferred
• Conversational fluency in Spanish preferred

Certificates and Licenses:

• DC Pesticide applicators license required (within one year of hire)
• Valid driver’s license

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.