Horticulture Manager

Horticulture Manager

We’re looking for a new public horticultural leader to be part of guiding the Gardens new Master Site Plan!!!

ABOUT THE GARDENS
Since 1961, Harry P. Leu Gardens has been devoted to inspiring people’s love of nature and plants, preserving our historic landscape, and sharing outdoor experiences with the public. Originally donated to the City of Orlando by the Leu Family, the Gardens is a botanical oasis for daily visitors featuring almost 50-acres of gardens and historical sites which is owned and operated by the City of Orlando.

The Gardens acknowledges the land it resides on originally belonged to indigenous peoples of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and its current day linage began in 1858 when it was purchased by the Mizell family. Throughout the years the Historic Leu House Museum and grounds developed as a homestead for four different families, finally coming into ownership by Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu in 1936. Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu traveled the world collecting plants and flowers for their grounds and gardens, establishing one of the largest collections of camellias in the Southeastern U.S. In 1961, Harry P. Leu donated the entirety of the grounds and home to the City of Orlando, thus establishing what is Harry P. Leu Gardens today.

Today, the Gardens presents a wide range of displays that feature diverse plant collections from Southeastern ecosystems and highlight Florida’s biodiversity. Educational programs, events and exhibits are offered throughout the year, along with inspired rental and wedding venues for private occasions. For the past 62 years, the Gardens has steadily increased its programs and services for residents and visitors from around the world, hosting more than 10 million visitors to date.

The Gardens campus consists of dozens of horticultural collections and plant displays, the Historic Leu House Museum, the Welcome Center, a 22,000 square foot event venue and main entrance hall, and a handful of operational and program support buildings. The Welcome Center was built in 1995 and the Historic Leu House Museum, originally built in 1888 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since the Gardens opened in 1961 as a horticultural showcase of Mr. & Mrs. Leu’s world-wide plant collection, it has evolved into a resource center for horticultural education for all ages, hosts large music and festival events including the long-running plant sale, and is a premier wedding and private event destination in Central Florida.

We’re looking for a new public horticultural leader to be part of guiding the Gardens new Master Site Plan!!!

ABOUT THE GARDEN’S HORTICULTURE EXPERIENCE
Annually, the Gardens averages 260,000 visitors and delivers programs, events and exhibits for all ages and backgrounds throughout the year, and serves as a leader in the public garden field as a collection repository for rare, endangered, and unique plant species. The Gardens offers a self-guided experience of thirty different plant collections and garden displays. Visitors learn about plants, ecosystems, wildlife, natural history, art, and culture within the Gardens through plant I.D.s and interpretive materials, as well as the Gardens historical origins and families who established our grounds in 1858 on a tour of the Historic Leu House Museum.

POSITION
The Horticulture Manager serves as the horticultural visionary, expert, leader, and creator for the 50-acre botanical experience at Harry P. Leu Gardens. The Horticulture Manager reports to the Executive Director. The Horticulture Manager leads a team of a dozen staff, outside services contractors, and volunteers to achieve excellent horticultural design, development, and care for the Gardens thirty+ displays and collections of plant material, trees, turf, greenhouse production, infrastructure, hardscape, and all related buildings, equipment, and garden spaces. Working with the Executive Director, this position develops and creates collaborative horticulture exhibits, displays, and activities to attract new and diverse audiences; develops annual horticultural plans and participates in gardens-wide master site planning; collaborates with the department team leaders to develop interpretive materials and visitor experience activities (i.e., wayfinding signage); and, provides leadership, management, support, and professional development for the horticulture team, and hires, develops, and monitors performance; establishes and implements horticultural standards, best and sustainable practices of garden care and maintenance; works with the public; assists in preparing and maintaining the annual horticultural budget, supplies, and reports; works with the Gardens leadership team to help guide the strategic direction, promote, and share success for the Gardens; works with community organizations, plant society partners, academic, social, and civic groups to create garden opportunities and partnerships; ensures the safety and security of staff and public through training and certifications to handle horticultural materials (i.e., fertilizer and chemicals).

QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred candidates should have a passion for horticultural and landscape design, maintenance, and care; knowledge of botany, plant production, greenhouse management, conservation, and landscape design, equipment, supplies and techniques. Applicants should be collaborative, organized, and experienced managing large scale horticultural and landscaping projects, sites, staff, and contractors; possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; have the ability to work with irrigation systems and water management, carry out horticultural designs and installations, public gardens best practices, policies, and procedures; have the ability and passion to work with wide variety of audiences from multicultural and social backgrounds, problem solve, and work on their own and with a team to accomplish tasks.

REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree required in horticultural field, garden management, or related field with 3 years of experience in a similar role with progressive supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Possess valid pesticide certification or acquires one at the next available testing date is preferred.

COMPENSATION AND SCHEDULE
$27.14 – $42.08/Hourly
$56,451.20 – $87,526.40 Annually
Full-time + benefits from the City of Orlando
Monday – Friday, with night and weekend work for special events and programs

APPLY
Apply online at the City of Orlando job page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orlando