Horticulture

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition assistance

Wellness & life benefits

Commuting & transportation

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston is seeking a Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor to lead the grounds team and uphold the arboretum’s distinctive character. The role blends horticultural expertise with strong leadership to guide daily campus maintenance and seasonal plantings.

The Supervisor will coordinate crews, manage safety and equipment, and support landscape planning for year-round campus appeal, engaging across departments in events and educational programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or closely related field required.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in landscape or grounds maintenance.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience managing landscape or grounds crews.
• Experience in urban environments, arboretums, or university settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily assignments for 8–12 grounds staff across 11+ acres of campus landscape and hardscape.
• Assess work quality and provide training on proper care techniques for trees and plant collections.
• Enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with Northeastern University policies.
• Manage snow removal and weather-related emergency crews and ensure operational standards.
• Oversee irrigation systems and support water conservation initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus departments for events and arboretum-based programs.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Horticulture

Arboretum care

Irrigation systems

Safety compliance

Education

BSc in Horticulture/related

Tools

GIS mapping

Tree inventory software

Job description

Horticulture & Landscape Maintenance Supervisor

About the Opportunity

Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Horticulture &Landscape Supervisor provides leadership and oversight of thedaily operations of the university's grounds staff on the Bostoncampus. The Supervisor is responsible for ensuring safety, quality,and compliance with university standards while maintaining alandscape that supports and enhances the university's arboretum.While this position does not perform bargaining unit work, thesuccessful candidate will blend horticultural expertise andleadership skills to guide grounds maintenance operations andpreserve the distinctive character of our urban arboretum. Thisrole requires an understanding of the challenges of caring fordiverse plant collections as well as a commitment to creating andmaintaining outdoor spaces that are reflective of our globaluniversity community.

The Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor is considered essentialpersonnel. This is a condition of employment. Job description andschedule are subject to change due to University needs anddemands.

Available schedule

Tuesday through Saturday, 6AM -2:30PM

Qualifications & Certifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management, UrbanForestry, or closely related field required; an equivalentcombination of education and experience may be considered
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in landscape orgrounds maintenance required
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience managing landscapeor grounds crews required
• Experience working in urban environments, arboretums, oruniversity settings preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of plant identification and care, particularlywoody and perennial species suitable for USDA Zone 6b
• Understanding of urban soil conditions, turf care, andremediation techniques
• Knowledge of sustainable landscaping practices,stormwater/green infrastructure, and integrated pestmanagement
• Familiarity with New England climate challenges, seasonalplanning, plant selection, and snow/ice removal
• Experience with landscape equipment, irrigations systems, andgrounds safety standards

Required Certifications

• Valid Massachusetts driver's license with clean driving recordwith a valid DOT Certificate
• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 36 &37) or ability to obtain within 6 months ofhire

Other Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Must lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly
• Extensive walking across campus (73-acre Boston campus)
• On-call availability for snow removal emergencies and stormresponse
• Occasional evening and weekend work for special events andprograms
• Must successfully complete a criminal background check andmotor vehicle record check

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 10 (or equivalent) safety certification
• OPSI Hoisting Engineer 2A/1C certification
• Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) through PGMS
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification/ISA CertifiedArborist
• Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist
• Experience with GIS mapping and digital tree inventorysystems

Key Accountabilities

Campus Landscape Operations

• Coordinate daily assignments for 8-12 grounds staff, ensuringefficient operations across 11+ acres of campus landscape andhardscape.
• Assess work quality, provide training on proper care techniquesfor trees and plant collections, and support skill-building andprofessional development.
• Enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance withNortheastern University policies.
• Manage and monitor snow removal/weather-related emergencycrews, including assigning tasks, inspecting work, and ensuringoperational standards are met.
• Maintain high-traffic areas and manage snow removal operationsto ensure pedestrian safety during New England winters.
• Oversee irrigation systems and support water conservationinitiatives.
• Collaborate with campus departments to support special eventsand ceremonies and participate in Arbor Day and otherarboretum-based educational programs.
• Ensure campus grounds consistently meet PGMS Honor Awardstandards.

Horticultural Excellence

• Oversee maintenance of signature campus features, including theCurry Student Center Koi Pond and Veterans Memorial Gardens.
• Plan, manage, and implement seasonal plantings and displaysfeaturing native New England species and international specimens toensure year-round campus appeal.
• Maintain campus ecosystems that support bee hotels andpollinator initiatives.

Position Type

Facilities

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate workexperience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefiteligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paidtime off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- aswell as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion,color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabilitystatus, or any other characteristic protected by applicablelaw.

Base Pay Rate

$44.21