Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance

Within the Horticulture Department of the Cultural & Environmental Resources Division, and under the supervision of the Manager of Horticulture, the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance is a hands‐on working supervisor position responsible for the development and implementation of creative and current professional horticultural, arboricultural and forestry principles and practices at the designated arboretum.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate and supervise, as authorized, the horticultural and park maintenance functions, projects, and staff at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum or the Willowwood/Bamboo Brook/Kay Center facilities; maintaining the highest degree of horticultural standards, while ensuring adherence to established Commission policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
• Draws upon the horticultural expertise of the Manager of Horticulture, when necessary.
• In consultation with the Manager of Horticulture, makes operational decisions as to project scheduling and scope of work to be performed in order to meet horticulture standards and long‐term developmental goals.
• Prepares written work schedules and conducts daily morning staff meetings and additional meetings, as needed. Ensures work schedules and work assignments are communicated to all subordinates or alternate accommodations are in place.
• Works to resolve any minor disagreements or conflicts that occur among subordinate staff members.
• Supervises and inspects the work of all subordinates, including full time, part time, seasonal staff interns and volunteers, in all aspects of facility management, including installation, maintenance and care of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, lawn and turf areas, fields, meadows, natural areas, as well as buildings and structures.
• Trains year-round and seasonal staff in the use of horticultural equipment necessary in the performance of their assigned duties.
• Provides hands-on training to all new staff during the probationary period. Ensures all new staff follow MCPC related operating procedures.
• Trains staff and supervises the proper use of pesticides, fertilizers, equipment, materials and supplies. Assists with in‐service training programs for Park Commission personnel, including pesticide and fertilizer application.
• Prepares planting designs and specifications in conjunction with the Horticulture Display Foreman and the Manager of Horticulture.
• Assists the subordinate staff with the development of annual and container displays. Oversees and coordinates with the garden staff on the design and maintenance of their particular display areas.
• Organizes routine inspections of the deer exclusion barriers, including fences and cattle grates and conducts improvements/repairs as needed.
• Solicits, schedules, and coordinates work of contractors at the Frelinghuysen or Willowwood/Bamboo Brook/Kay Center facilities. This includes horticultural, arboricultural and maintenance projects, including but not limited to, tree pruning and removal, lawn care, fertilization, weed control, ornamental pond maintenance, pest management, turf mowing, meadow and field mowing, including in‐County resources.
• Prepares and updates standard operating procedures and maintenance directions for horticultural and maintenance functions including but not limited to snow plow plans, lighting controls, irrigation controls, equipment maintenance, garden maintenance, and the like.
• Plans, implements, and monitors turf management practices, including contracted services to maintain high quality and aesthetically pleasing turfgrass in horticultural facilities with a primary focus on high use and visually important locations.
• In conjunction with MCPC Building and Construction (B&C) division solicits, schedules, and coordinates work of outside contractors for facility projects, as well as working with and coordinating with B&C contractors for plumbing, electrical, carpentry and so forth.
• Prepares work orders and coordinates engineering and construction division activities, projects and programs including seasonal water shutdown/startup, dam safety inspections, coordination of contractors, and monitors work of contractors, repairs, and projects.
• Coordinates with Park Maintenance on the servicing and repair of maintenance equipment and vehicles.
• Plans, implements, monitors, and maintains turf and garden irrigation operation and maintenance; trains staff in proper use, maintenance and repair of irrigation systems, including where appropriate greenhouse irrigation systems.
• Monitors and assists with coordinating the unit’s integrated pest management programs and other Park Commission pest management projects, including wildlife pests such as deer, groundhogs, and geese; as required and directed.
• Prepares specifications for purchasing of contracted goods and services, including but not limited to: turf mowing, agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, grass seed, maintenance equipment, uniforms; reviews bid results, places orders, and monitors contractor performance as required.
• Monitors and assures that the Plant Records Management Program as described in the Commission Plant Accession Policy is successfully implemented including the timely submission of completed plant accession cards by the staff.
• Working in conjunction with the Horticultural Plant Records Curator, submits and monitors lists of plants to be propagated from cuttings and seeds, including seeds for annual display plantings or those obtained through the Index Seminum.
• Develops, plans, and coordinates Horticultural Intern and Volunteer Projects at their assigned location.
• In conjunction with the Natural Resources Management staff coordinates Park Commission natural resources management programs in areas such as, but not limited to, waterway ecology, soil conversation, invasive pest suppression, invasive vegetation management, wildlife management programs, meadow management, prescribed burning and forest management plantings and maintenance at horticultural facilities.
• Assists with preparation of operating, Park Improvement Trust and Capital expenditure budgets for the Horticultural unit; assists with the preparation of specifications and contract documents for equipment, plants and materials related to the operation of the horticultural unit; prepares reports and inventories as required; and prepares cost estimates as required.
• Prepares and processes purchase requisitions and related documents, reports, time sheets, performance documentation on a timely basis and maintains accurate records and documentation as required.
• Oversees and maintains the operation of a heated hoop house for the overwintering of tender plants.
• Coordinates with the Horticultural Education Staff for the successful implementation of Horticultural Education programs and projects including Branching Out, Community Gardens, educational classes, workshops, plant sales, plant shows, tours and other educational activities for professionals, adults, and children. Participates in Horticultural Education programming, including leading tours as required.
• Coordinates with the Horticulture Event Specialist to assist, when short staffed, with in program, event and site rental setup/breakdowns, and custodial responsibilities of buildings and grounds.
• Assists in identifying staffing needs in the Horticultural Maintenance unit, participates in the selection and interviewing of staff.
• Plans, schedules, monitors, and participates in staff overtime assignments in compliance with appropriate labor agreements, including special events and snow and weather emergency call‐in.
• Conducts performance appraisal of full-time employees in the Local 32 unit and all part-time and seasonal staff, documenting issues and disciplining staff when necessary.

Other Functions:

• Ensures compliance with P.E.O.S.H.A. and Right‐To‐Know requirements within the horticulture unit by reporting compliance issues and the initiation of corrective measures where appropriate; will cooperate in the efforts to resolve the issues.
• Maintains an attendance record to adequately perform all the essential functions of the position.
• Encourages and coordinates applied research programs at Horticultural facilities in association with other institutions and agencies.
• Provides technical advice to other management and supervisory personnel in order to enhance the appeal and use of park facilities.
• Assists in the promotion of the horticultural facilities and programs of the Park Commission, and in raising development and maintenance funds.
• Participates in Park Commission Committee meetings and other meetings as required.
• Researches methods for improving horticultural management practices.
• Completes assignments and projects appropriate to the overall management and operations of the Park Commission as directed by superiors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field from an accredited college or university required
• Minimum five years of experience at a botanical garden or arboretum, horticultural trade or institutional program dealing primarily with horticulture or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of recent work experiences effectively manage, supervise and provide direction to subordinates by through clear and succinct written and oral directions.
• Ability to pass a written and field horticultural competency test, including competency in identification of a wide range of plant material and botanical nomenclature.
• Experience in meeting deadlines, prioritize work and coordinate multiple activities and projects at the same time.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, validated Certified Pesticide Applicator Registration from the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey in the following categories: Core, 3A (Turf) and 3B (Ornamentals).
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain, NJ Fertilizer Application certification.
• Possession of Driver’s License valid in the State of New Jersey.
• Ability to read construction and planting plans and to write and interpret specifications.
• Ability to properly execute and supervise tree, shrub and herbaceous plantings as well as turf seeding and sodding procedures.
• Ability to deal with the public in formal and informal situations.
• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of maintenance practices and procedures related to ornamental plants and turf.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Incumbent may delegate to subordinate part of the responsibility, but may not delegate nor relinquish accountability for results.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right change the reporting to supervisor or to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $97,547.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person