Director of Horticulture
SupportFinity™, New York, NY, United States
Overview
A popular year‑round destination, Governors Island is a 172‑acre island in the heart of New York Harbor located between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. For almost two centuries the island was closed to the public as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today an award‑winning new park is complemented by dozens of historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, a rich arts and culture program and a 22‑acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service. The long‑term vision focuses on expanding public access by enlivening the island with transformative public art and culture, extraordinary recreational and open space, and research and education dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis. Key Responsibilities
The Director of Horticulture is a full‑time leadership role at the Trust for Governors Island (Trust). The Director will be responsible for all aspects of management and long‑term care of Governors Island’s diverse gardens, shape open space management protocols, and lead a professional horticulture team. A hands‑on leadership style, strategic vision, in‑depth knowledge of native plants, ecological gardening and arboriculture are required. Directly oversee all horticultural activities on Governors Island, including:
Developing and implementing daily and seasonal maintenance practices and a cohesive management plan Establishing a zone management system Plant selection, acquisition and installation Garden design Tree care Pest identification and management
Demonstrate expertise in diverse garden settings, native plants, ecological gardening, and horticultural design Supervise the horticulture team in the field, providing guidance and feedback and ensuring best practices. Expected field presence at least 25% of time. Ensure optimal staffing, including recruiting, hiring, training and scheduling Develop and implement best practices and standards, ensuring ongoing instruction and opportunities for professional development Lead measurement of team performance and ensure compliance with Trust policies, safety and conduct Provide expertise and vision for new and existing team members, articulating departmental priorities daily/weekly Develop and maintain an annual plan for seasonal gardening/landscaping work (planting, pruning, weeding, watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest management) Assess existing challenges and work with staff, designers and consultants to formulate appropriate responses and implement changes Develop and maintain budgets and monitor spending related to horticultural maintenance Lead procurement, including bid process, RFP development, contract development, project management and on‑site supervision of third‑party vendors for open space modifications, renovations and maintenance Ensure materials, vehicles, tools and equipment are adequately supplied, in good repair and properly maintained and stored Lead information capture and maintain records of plantings, planted areas, trees, and related information in the Trust’s asset management system Cultivate a healthy and supportive culture among the horticulture team and collaborate with other Island‑wide teams Collaborate with Landscaping leadership to provide consultation on turf management as requested Actively promote and contribute to the Trust’s sustainability initiatives and open space management Coordinate with the Trust’s Programming staff to facilitate event load‑ins and set‑ups, ensuring protection of gardens and planted areas at all times Work with the Governors Island Foundation on donor cultivation, stewardship efforts and identify opportunities for donor engagement and volunteerism around horticultural initiatives Participate in a range of activities beyond the typical work day, including events and programs, fundraising initiatives, tours and stewardship activities as needed Ensure that the Island’s open spaces are safely utilized by the public, tenants and program partners, protecting tree health and other plantings Qualifications
Education:
Professional degree in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture Bachelor’s degree preferred New York pesticide applicator license preferred Experience:
7+ years of horticultural experience, preferably in a park or public space 3+ years of supervisory experience, supervising full‑time and seasonal gardeners and volunteers is preferred Skills and Abilities:
Working knowledge of garden design principles Experience with staff supervision, budget management and project management Exceptional written, verbal and public‑speaking communication skills Ability to manage and motivate a team, resolve conflicts and maintain strong relationships with immediate team, other departments, tenants and vendors High level of personal accountability, self‑organization, autonomy and discipline Agile and flexible with expectations and direction Problem‑solving and decision making that adheres to the purpose, mission and goals of the Trust Professional integrity, discretion and approach A systems thinker, able to develop processes from scratch Willingness to work on site five days per week, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions Ability to perform heavy, physical labor, including lifting and moving up to 50 lbs with proper tools Strong computer skills; experience with asset management systems preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint required Driver’s license required Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000 to $110,000 per year Generous paid time off and excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and a retirement plan with company contributions. Location & Schedule
All positions are located on Governors Island. The position is in‑person five days per week. Application
You must submit a cover letter with your resume in one PDF document. (*No phone calls please.) We realize that not all applicants match 100% of the qualifications for a role. If you meet many but not all criteria and feel you may be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. The Trust for Governors Island values inclusion, accessibility and a diverse pool of applicants. The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non‑merit factor.
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A popular year‑round destination, Governors Island is a 172‑acre island in the heart of New York Harbor located between Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn waterfront. For almost two centuries the island was closed to the public as a military base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. Today an award‑winning new park is complemented by dozens of historic buildings, educational and cultural facilities, a rich arts and culture program and a 22‑acre National Monument managed by the National Park Service. The long‑term vision focuses on expanding public access by enlivening the island with transformative public art and culture, extraordinary recreational and open space, and research and education dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis. Key Responsibilities
The Director of Horticulture is a full‑time leadership role at the Trust for Governors Island (Trust). The Director will be responsible for all aspects of management and long‑term care of Governors Island’s diverse gardens, shape open space management protocols, and lead a professional horticulture team. A hands‑on leadership style, strategic vision, in‑depth knowledge of native plants, ecological gardening and arboriculture are required. Directly oversee all horticultural activities on Governors Island, including:
Developing and implementing daily and seasonal maintenance practices and a cohesive management plan Establishing a zone management system Plant selection, acquisition and installation Garden design Tree care Pest identification and management
Demonstrate expertise in diverse garden settings, native plants, ecological gardening, and horticultural design Supervise the horticulture team in the field, providing guidance and feedback and ensuring best practices. Expected field presence at least 25% of time. Ensure optimal staffing, including recruiting, hiring, training and scheduling Develop and implement best practices and standards, ensuring ongoing instruction and opportunities for professional development Lead measurement of team performance and ensure compliance with Trust policies, safety and conduct Provide expertise and vision for new and existing team members, articulating departmental priorities daily/weekly Develop and maintain an annual plan for seasonal gardening/landscaping work (planting, pruning, weeding, watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest management) Assess existing challenges and work with staff, designers and consultants to formulate appropriate responses and implement changes Develop and maintain budgets and monitor spending related to horticultural maintenance Lead procurement, including bid process, RFP development, contract development, project management and on‑site supervision of third‑party vendors for open space modifications, renovations and maintenance Ensure materials, vehicles, tools and equipment are adequately supplied, in good repair and properly maintained and stored Lead information capture and maintain records of plantings, planted areas, trees, and related information in the Trust’s asset management system Cultivate a healthy and supportive culture among the horticulture team and collaborate with other Island‑wide teams Collaborate with Landscaping leadership to provide consultation on turf management as requested Actively promote and contribute to the Trust’s sustainability initiatives and open space management Coordinate with the Trust’s Programming staff to facilitate event load‑ins and set‑ups, ensuring protection of gardens and planted areas at all times Work with the Governors Island Foundation on donor cultivation, stewardship efforts and identify opportunities for donor engagement and volunteerism around horticultural initiatives Participate in a range of activities beyond the typical work day, including events and programs, fundraising initiatives, tours and stewardship activities as needed Ensure that the Island’s open spaces are safely utilized by the public, tenants and program partners, protecting tree health and other plantings Qualifications
Education:
Professional degree in Horticulture or Landscape Architecture Bachelor’s degree preferred New York pesticide applicator license preferred Experience:
7+ years of horticultural experience, preferably in a park or public space 3+ years of supervisory experience, supervising full‑time and seasonal gardeners and volunteers is preferred Skills and Abilities:
Working knowledge of garden design principles Experience with staff supervision, budget management and project management Exceptional written, verbal and public‑speaking communication skills Ability to manage and motivate a team, resolve conflicts and maintain strong relationships with immediate team, other departments, tenants and vendors High level of personal accountability, self‑organization, autonomy and discipline Agile and flexible with expectations and direction Problem‑solving and decision making that adheres to the purpose, mission and goals of the Trust Professional integrity, discretion and approach A systems thinker, able to develop processes from scratch Willingness to work on site five days per week, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays and special events as needed Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions Ability to perform heavy, physical labor, including lifting and moving up to 50 lbs with proper tools Strong computer skills; experience with asset management systems preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint required Driver’s license required Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000 to $110,000 per year Generous paid time off and excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and a retirement plan with company contributions. Location & Schedule
All positions are located on Governors Island. The position is in‑person five days per week. Application
You must submit a cover letter with your resume in one PDF document. (*No phone calls please.) We realize that not all applicants match 100% of the qualifications for a role. If you meet many but not all criteria and feel you may be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. The Trust for Governors Island values inclusion, accessibility and a diverse pool of applicants. The Trust for Governors Island does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, genetic information, marital status, membership in an employee organization, military service, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, or other non‑merit factor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr