Horticulture Manager

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; Boothbay (ME); On-site; USD 69,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Gardenshop discounts

Gardens membership

Job summary

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is seeking a Horticulture Manager to lead a diverse team of horticulturists, seasonal staff, and interns in maintaining our 325 acres of gardens and natural areas. The role partners with the Plants and Science unit to set goals and ensure high horticultural standards.

The position is year-round, full-time with a Monday–Friday schedule and occasional weekends/holidays for events, with benefits including time off, health/retirement plans, and membership perks.

Qualifications

• BS degree in horticulture or related plant science field is required.
• 5+ years of practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance preferred.
• Experience leading a team of horticulturists and seasonal staff.
• Familiarity with plants common to northeastern horticulture; knowledge of regional flora desirable.
• Experience operating power equipment; comfort with ladders.
• Ability to train, coach, and collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff in achieving strategic goals and foster positive team culture.
• Set priorities with the Horticulture Director and managers for daily/weekly tasks.
• Manage changing priorities while maintaining a positive work environment.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports; coordinate schedules and check-ins.
• Engage with guests and volunteers about programs and garden practices.
• Model excellence in ecological horticulture, including planting, pruning, weeding, and IPM.

Skills

Team leadership

Plant science knowledge

Horticulture expertise

Independent & collaborative

Sustainable gardening

Education

BS degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

Power equipment

Job description

Description

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring a Horticulture Manager!

Are you a proven people leader who is passionate about plants and the environment, excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility goals?

This is a Year-round, Full-time position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Some weekend and holiday duties will be required on occasion, in addition to evening hours during our Gardens Aglow light show and other special events.

Year-round employees receive personal and sick paid time off, health and retirement benefits, discounts in our culinary programs and Gardenshop, and a Gardens membership.

$69,000 – 79,000 salaried, exempt

The Horticulture Department is responsible for creating and maintaining all cultivated gardens and growing spaces and stewarding the natural areas throughout Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ 325 acres. The Horticulture Manager is a key leader on the Horticulture team and in the Plants and Science unit. They are responsible for helping create a collaborative and positive team culture, setting standards of horticultural excellence, and managing the daily/weekly tasks of the department. The Horticulture Manager’s primary responsibilities will be helping the Director lead the department and supervising horticulturists, seasonal gardeners, and interns. They will also model and coach horticultural excellence, working alongside team members as needed. In the fall and winter, the Horticulture team will also contribute to Gardens Aglow light installation, event staffing, and take-down.

Primary Functions

• Collaborate with Plants and Science unit leadership to lead staff in the accomplishment of strategic and other key organization goals and develop team culture.
• Collaborate with the Horticulture Director and other Horticulture Managers to establish short- and medium-term goals and to set priorities for daily/weekly departmental tasks.
• Effectively manage and respond to multiple changing priorities while creating a positive working environment in the Horticulture Department.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports in their daily/weekly tasks, organize schedules, perform weekly check-ins, and act as a liaison between Horticulture staff and other departments.
• Engage with guests and volunteers about our programs, garden practices, and the Gardens.
• Oversee and model excellence in ecological ornamental horticulture, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, plant and pest identification, and integrated pest management, working alongside team members as needed.
• Working with the Curator of Living Collections, Horticulture Director, and planting design team to contribute to plant selection for garden space(s), including annual plantings and improvements to existing perennial beds.
• Collaborate with other departments and the community, including teaching classes, speaking to groups, leading specialized tours, and working with student employees, interns, and volunteers.

Physical Requirements

This position has very high physical demands. Employee must be prepared to work in inclement weather, (e.g., heat, sun, rain, cold temperatures, etc.)

Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:

• 60% of time standing, bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements
• 40% of time in sitting position
• Maximum load employee will be required to lift/carry up to 50 lbs.

Requirements

• BS degree in horticulture or a related plant science field with at least 5 years of practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance. Public garden experience strongly preferred.
• Experience or training in garden leadership or management required. Ability to lead a team of experienced horticulturists as well as seasonal employees who may be inexperienced in the field. Ability to train, coach, direct, and constructively correct them as needed.
• Demonstrated familiarity with plants common in the northeastern horticulture trade. Knowledge of the region’s wild flora is desirable.
• Experience running and maintaining power equipment is helpful; confidence on ladders a must.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, adhere to sustainable gardening practices, and be willing to participate in horticultural best-management practices.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other departments, most importantly Plant Science and Collections, Facilities, and Education, work cooperatively, and communicate positively with leaders, co-workers, and the public.