Trimming and Plant Health Division Lead

Horticulture Services; Stillwater (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

40IK Company Match

Job summary

Horticulture Services seeks a full-time Trimming and Plant Health Division Lead to start September 1, 2026. The role oversees the Trimming and Plant Health Division, supports the Operations Manager, and leads crew scheduling and safety. Minnesota-based, on-site position with local client interaction.

Requirements include 2+ years in Plant Healthcare or formal education, and the ability to obtain ISA certification. A Class A license and strong leadership skills are expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience or formal education in Plant Healthcare.
• Ability to obtain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification.
• Class A driver’s license.
• Requires ongoing professional development and adherence to industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and crews of the Trimming Division, including scheduling and task assignment.
• Scout client properties for pests and diseases and other tree-related concerns.
• Maintain and protect the company’s professional image with clients and employees.
• Lead training of crew members on HS procedures and safety protocols.
• Attend weekly Operations Meetings and contribute to quarterly/annual meetings.
• Direct daily dispatch and organize work for seasonal trimming and planting tasks.
• Ensure clean, safe, and job-appropriate trimming and planting per ISA standards.
• Manage snow removal duties and off-season shop/office tasks as needed.

Skills

Trimming equipment

Customer service

Quality control

Computer literacy

Communication

Time management

Trainable

ISA certification (goal)

Job description

Horticulture Services seeks candidates for the full-time Trimming and Plant Health Division Lead position to begin September 1, 2026. The fundamental purpose of the position is to manage and oversee the Trimming and Plant Health Division while lending operational support to the Operations Manager. The position requires either a minimum of two years of experience or formal education in Plant Healthcare. In addition, the position requires the ability to obtain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification.

General Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and employees of the Trimming Division including but not limited to: oversight of annual flower planting, shrub trimming activities, tree trimming activities.
• Scout client properties for presence of pests and diseases, as well as other tree related concerns.
• Maintain and protect the company’s professional image while interacting with clients and while performing other job duties.
• Exhibit the company’s core values to both clients and other employees.
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks.
• Utilize continuing education to maintain professional certifications.

Duties

Meetings

• Attend and contribute to the weekly Operations Meeting.
• Attend and contribute to quarterly and annual meetings.

Scheduling Of Trimming Crews

• Build all tasks into an overall schedule for the season, responsible for keeping crews on schedule.
• Update schedule as needed to accommodate for needed adjustments and new urgent tasks.
• Organize work for completion of work on a daily basis.
• Arrange material acquisition through Operations Manager.

Daily Dispatch

• Dispatch work on a daily basis.
• Inform crews of their daily responsibilities.
• Prep crews so they can depart the shop as efficiently as possible.
• Conduct weekly morning meetings to check in with all crew members.

Quality Control

• Meet with shrub trimming crews on site daily (or as needed) to communicate trimming strategy in relation to growth cycle of the shrubs at that time.
• Review work of crews to assure shrub trimming and cleanup is happening in accordance with company standards and is horticulturally appropriate for the plant and location.
• Review work of tree trimming crews to assure trimming is done in accordance with company and ISA standards, and appropriate for the location of the tree.
• Oversee annual flower and fall bulb planting, assuring the beds are being installed according to the plan and the correct quantity of plants/bulbs are being used.

Training

• Prior to each new operation, train crew in HS procedures regarding that operation.
• When actions diverge from established procedures, correct said actions.
• Correct and praise crew performance. Significant work or interpersonal issues should be passed off to the HR Manager.
• Train and enforce the proper use of personal protective equipment as well as the proper use of tools and equipment.

Field Duties

• Serve as the crew leader of one of the shrub trimming crews, tree trimming crews, and annual planting crews. Operations Manager will attempt to assign an experienced individual to direct crew in the Division Lead's absence.

Snow Removal

• Manage and perform snow removal duties as needed in winter.

Shop/Office

• Perform duties in the office and/or shop as needed in the off-season (winter).
• Responsible for upkeep of trimming equipment.

Other

• Perform needed duties during transitional seasons as needed; this may include a variety of activities.

Skills And Qualifications

• Experience with trimmers and chainsaws, Customer Service, Quality Control, Computer knowledge, Communication, Time Management, Trainable.
• As mentioned in the Job Description, the position requires the ability to obtain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification.

Required Licenses

• Class A driver's License, ISA Certified Arborist.

Employee Classification

• Regular Employee.

Wage

• This is a salary exempt position with pay ranging TBD per year; pay is dependent on qualifications, licensing and experience.

Company Vehicle

• A company vehicle will be provided for work use only.

Telephone

• Position requires a smart phone. Phone may be supplied by the company or if employee prefers, the company will reimburse the employee for business use of employee-owned smart phone. The employee is responsible for damage to their phone.

Benefits

• 40IK Company Match.
• Disability Insurance.
• Health Insurance.

Health Savings Account (HSA): An HSA is a tax-sheltered bank account that you own to pay for eligible health care expenses for you and/or your eligible dependents for current or future healthcare expenses. The HSA is yours to keep, even if you change jobs or medical plans. There is no "use it or lose it" rule, which is just to say that your balance carries over year to year.

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): An HRA is an employer-funded health plan which employees are reimbursed tax-free for qualified medical expenses up to a fixed dollar amount per year.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

PTO cycles/resets on April 1 of each year.

Vacation

Two weeks (i.e., 80 hours) paid vacation annually; vacation during June and July should be limited.

Sick/Personal

48 hours of paid sick/personal; 80-hour maximum accrual (see Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time policy: https://www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave).

Paid Holidays (7)

New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day (NOTE: New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and day after Thanksgiving may be floating if snow removal duties require work on any of those days.)

Annual company party: attendance is required for pay.