Horticulturist

The Mariners' Museum; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia seeks a Horticulturist to manage ornamental and native plants for the living collection and gardens, supporting conservation and community value. You will work with the arborist and groundskeepers to maintain seasonal displays and native meadows across the 550-acre park.

This full-time, hourly position offers $21.00 per hour plus comprehensive benefits, with typical hours 7am–3:30pm, Monday–Friday, and some weekends for events.

Qualifications

• Associates or undergraduate degree in horticulture preferred.
• 2 years public ornamental horticulture experience preferred.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Weed landscape beds and containers.
• Water beds and containers.
• Prune herbaceous plants and shrubs as needed.
• Mulch landscape beds and maintain containers.
• Propagate and plant for bed renovations and seasonal displays.
• Assist with events setup and takedown.
• Clean shop and tools; work with volunteers.

Skills

Plant identification

Ornamental plants

Communication skills

Equipment operation

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture

Public ornamental horticulture experience

Job description

Description

The Mariners’ Museum and Park is home to one of the nation’s largest privately owned and maintained parks featuring a 550-acre public treasure with the scenic 167-acre Mariners’ Lake and the award-winning five-mile Noland Trail. Free and open to all, the Park offers a unique setting for walking, hiking, running, recreation, and reflection among rolling woodlands and beautiful lake views.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park is seeking a Horticulturist to join our dedicated Park Team. The Horticulturist is responsible for horticulture at the 550 acre Mariners’ Museum and Park. Mariners’ Park has a proud tradition of free public access since 1930. The Horticulturist works collaboratively with the arborist and groundskeepers to create and maintain whimsical and technically excellent gardens that serve people and wildlife.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park considers the Park to house the living collection, similar to how artifacts inside the Museum are part of the collection. The Horticulturist’s role is focused on the herbaceous plants in the living collection. The Mariners’ strategy is based around conservation, research, access, and value. Conservation and research are collection-based, while access and value are community-based. The Horticulturist’s role supports all components of the strategy, with the greatest emphasis on conservation of the living collection and creating value for the community through the gardens.

The Horticulturist position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt that offers $21.00 per hour plus a generous benefits package.

No phone calls, please – only applicants being considered for interviews will be contacted.

Duties:

Ornamental Horticulture

• Weed landscape beds and containers.
• Water beds and containers.
• Prune and clean up herbaceous plants.
• Selectively prune ornamental shrubs as needed.
• Mulch landscape beds.
• Propagate herbaceous plants for the Park. This includes keeping the nursery neat and orderly.
• Conduct planting for bed renovations as needed.
• Design and install seasonal containers.
• Conduct minor equipment maintenance, such as cleaning, sharpening and oiling hand tools.
• Fill and drain fountain for events in South Courtyard.

Conservation Horticulture

• Remove invasive species from naturalized areas.
• Plant and establish natives in naturalized areas.
• Propagate herbaceous natives for planting in naturalized areas as needed.
• Maintenance of native meadows in collaboration with Park Research Coordinator.

Shared Duties

• Clean shop on a rotating basis, including the shared bathroom, shop floor, and food area.
• Assist with Fall Fest for setup, takedown, and on the day of (Typically on a Saturday).
• Trash and litter removal as part of daily activities.
• Work with volunteers.
• Engage with the community and Mariners’ team, through occasional presentations or articles.

All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to identify and care for Mid-Atlantic ornamental and native plants.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to safely and properly operate vehicles, golf carts, tractors, 2-way radio systems, hand pruners, power pruners, and other equipment as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Associates or Undergraduate Degree in Horticulture preferred, but not required.
• 2 years of experience in public ornamental horticulture preferred. This includes work at parks open to the public, with or without an admission fee, regardless of ownership.

Conditions of Employment:

• Valid Division of Motor Vehicles Vehicle Operator’s license with a good DMV record is required.
• Must be able to pass a background check before employment.
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions/extremes.
• Hours for this position are 7am - 3:30pm with one-half hour unpaid lunch at noon.
• Typically work weeks are Monday through Friday, though the applicant must be able to work holidays or weekends in the event of emergencies.