Horticulture Manager

Socket.dev; Lake Wales (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a horticulture supervisor in Florida to lead staff and interns, oversee plant collection, irrigation, and pond systems, and ensure safe operations.

The role will coordinate with the Director of Horticulture, supervise daily activities, conduct inspections, assist in hiring, and support greenhouse tasks while maintaining high horticultural standards in a public garden setting.

Qualifications

• Associates or bachelor's degree in horticulture, botany, or natural sciences.
• 5–10 years hands-on experience in public gardens.
• 2–3+ years supervisory experience with landscape or garden staff.
• Knowledge of plant culture, BMPs, plant ID and design preferred.
• Experience with irrigation systems and operation of garden tools/equipment.
• Proficiency with PC Access, GPS Trimble mapping, ArcView 8.0; MS Office.
• Florida Commercial Pesticide License with ornamental/turf or ability to obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop assigned staff; participate in performance reviews.
• Plan and coordinate projects with Director of Horticulture; assign tasks.
• Perform regular garden inspections and report issues.
• Maintain staff tools, equipment, safety and IPM practices.
• Maintain garden plant knowledge and records; manage plant collection.
• Lead horticultural tours and assist educational programs.
• Oversee subcontracted projects and special team efforts.
• Assist in hiring and onboarding Display Horticulture staff.
• Assist in greenhouse tasks and general maintenance tasks.
• Occasional supervision in Director's absence.

Skills

Staff supervision

Horticulture

Irrigation knowledge

Public gardens

Safety compliance

Education

Horticulture degree

Public garden experience

Tools

PC Access

GPS Trimble

ArcView 8.0

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY

This position supervises and provides day-to-day active leadership to horticultural staff, volunteers, seasonal employees, and horticultural interns, and maintains BTG’s plant collection, irrigation, and pond system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the supervision and continual development of assigned staff. Building positive employee relations by coaching, counseling, mentoring, motivating, resolving conflict, praising, etc.; participates in interim and annual performance reviews of assigned staff
• Meets regularly with Director of Horticulture for work assignments to plan and coordinate projects determining necessary personnel or discussion of garden concerns; assigns garden supervisors with specific tasks and should participate in the more difficult and/or complex tasks or projects
• Performs regular inspections throughout the gardens; routine inspections may identify insect/disease problems, weed control needs, etc.; reports major problems or concerns to Director of Horticulture
• Responsible for the staff’s proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and materials; performs minor maintenance of power equipment, tools, and irrigation; Responsible for the gardening staff’s safety performance
• Responsible for maintaining required knowledge of established garden plants and understanding the cultural requirements to maintain their growth and cultivation
• Lead horticultural tours as needed, assist with educational programming and special events
• Coordinate and oversees subcontracted projects; Supervise special team projects
• Assist the Director of Horticulture in the hiring process for the Display Horticulture Staff as well as the onboarding process
• Assist in the greenhouse; starting seedling, watering, spraying and propagating plant material when needed. Perform turf and lawn maintenance, weed and water as needed
• Occasional overall supervision of the Horticulture Department in the absence of the Director of Horticulture

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, fellow supervisors, direct supervisors, volunteers, and co-workers
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team effectively
• Ability to work with and supervise a diverse staff and volunteer group
• Strong organizational, analytical, and mathematical skills for research, recordkeeping, and problem-solving; ability to read design schematics
• Ability to understand and interpret instructions; ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate maintenance and horticultural needs and personnel needs in a courteous and effective manner
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates and/or volunteers
• Knowledge of garden plants and desire to learn central Florida horticulture and the aesthetic ethic of the Gardens
• Ability to fulfill the Garden’s plant collection and plant records policies
• Ability to perform and support horticultural practices that facilitate plant health through understanding soil nutrition, sustainable gardening and Integrated Pest Management
• Ability to visualize and conceptualize garden detail and aesthetics applying best garden practices for plant health and keep a commitment to excellence.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associates or bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, or natural sciences
• Minimum of 5-10 years of hands-on experience in public gardens
• Minimum 2-3 plus years supervisory experience with landscape or garden staff preferred
• In-depth knowledge of plant culture, Best Management Practices, plant identification and design preferred
• Previous experience in garden or grounds maintenance with the ability to operate various types of hand and power operated tools and equipment utilized in all phases of horticulture work
• (lawnmower, front-end loader, tractors, backpack sprayers, weed-eaters, etc.)
• Previous experience and knowledge of irrigation systems and maintenance
• Proficiency with PC Access program, mapping with GPS Trimble Unit, and Arcview 8.0.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite.
• Current Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License with ornamental and turf category or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Florida weather year-round, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions and exposure to insects
• Continual or prolonged periods of time bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, kneeling, crawling, digging, and lifting at least 60 pounds
• Occasional weekend and/or holiday work required to meet departmental deadlines or to provide staff support for BTG special events
• Most possess and maintain a valid driver’s license