Supervisor, Horticulture Kemper Demonstration Gardens & Seasonal Display

Summary: The Horticulture Demonstration and Displays Supervisor is responsible for supervisory and technical work related to designing landscapes and curating plant collections in accordance with landscape area descriptions to support garden themes, ensuring a high level of design and aesthetic appeal. Oversees work schedules, quality standards, and budget planning; advises horticulturists on selecting additional species to the collections. They collaborate across the Horticulture Division on garden development, seasonal displays, plant acquisition, production, and planting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages a team of horticulturists including staff, interns and volunteers; provides guidance and oversight to ensure high standards in plant care and garden maintenance for the Kemper Center Demonstration Gardens, the Children's Garden, Herb Garden, Herring and seasonal outdoor displays throughout the Garden and President Residence.
• Plans and schedules seasonal landscape and plant maintenance tasks; ensures required supplies and plant materials are prepared in advance.
• Evaluates landscapes on a regular basis; provides feedback to horticulturists, and ensures any necessary improvements are implemented.
• Reviews all display designs prior to submitting for final approval from Senior Manger Kemper Center and Demonstration Gardens
• Researches and develops cultivation techniques, modifies growing environment to optimize plant health, and maintains detailed cultivation records.
• Reviews plant propagation, exchange, and purchase requests; ensures timely requests for re-propagation in order to preserve valuable collections and/or replace plants as needed
• Responsible for requesting plants and curating plant collections that align with Garden landscape and garden area plans
• Manages plant collections by utilizing the features of Living Collections Management System including conducting inventories and maintaining detailed plant records
• Maintains tools and equipment and ensures cleanliness of storage areas; submits maintenance request to General Services as needed.
• Supervises staff in the proper use of and upkeep of tools and equipment storage areas; performs regular inventories of tools and equipment.
• Acquires and shares plant material in accordance with the Gardens policies and guidelines.
• Completes purchase orders for materials, supplies and tools
• Assists in preparation of divisional budget; continuously reviews costs and identifies opportunities to maximize efficiency and cost savings.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards.
• Leads and/or participates in snow and ice removal operations, including weekend, holiday, and early morning hours as weather conditions dictate.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position supervises 7 Horticulturists in various Garden areas including the Kemper Center Demonstration Garden, The Children's Garden and seasonal displays across the Garden. They also lead over twenty (20) volunteers.

Core Competencies:

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
• Leadership - Incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of (5) five years of practical, relevant work experience in Ornamental Horticulture.
• Minimum (3) years' experience in personnel management including demonstrated abilities in staff support, coaching and development and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems, specifically at a botanical garden.
• Strong knowledge of plants, plant materials (i.e., fertilizers, herbicides, etc.) and general landscape maintenance techniques and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple landscaping operations.
• Working knowledge of safe operation procedures for various types of landscape maintenance equipment.
• Thorough understanding of different components and basic design requirements of automatic irrigation systems.
• Working knowledge of budget development/management and forecasting.
• Ability to read and understand construction blueprints.
• Ability to lead and direct the work of others to complete general projects, including but not limited to staff and volunteers.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends and holidays as needed.
• Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• Possess a good understanding of living collections and curatorial practices
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany and/or related field required.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• Ability to read and understand pesticide labels.

Mathematical Skills:

• Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
• Certified pesticide applicator's license.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment).
• Must be able to work in high heat and humidity.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time-- 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
• Ability to transport cumbersome potted plants and trays of varying weights.
• Ability to safely navigate narrow greenhouse aisles.
• Ability to wear Garden-issued Personal Protective Equipment.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).

Work Environment:

• Ability to work indoors in all weather conditions (i.e., humid conditions, temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet while watering or maintaining plants.
• Wet conditions much of the time as watering is frequent.
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering general questions regarding the Garden's operations, events, facilities, etc.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Frequently works with green industry representatives, professional organizations, colleges and universities
• Garden Employees, Volunteers, Guests
• Occasional tour groups, media

Supervisor (title not person):

• Senior Manager, Kemper Center for Home Gardening