Manager of Horticulture

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $72,000-$90,000

Position Title: Manager of Horticulture
Department: Horticulture
Reports to: Director of Horticulture
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Grade: 6

Reporting to the director of Horticulture, the manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Horticulture department at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The manager of Horticulture works closely with the director, forepersons, and Garden staff to ensure landscapes and plant collections are maintained and developed to the highest levels.

The manager is responsible for the daily supervision of the Horticulture staff, which includes two union forepersons, 28 union employees, and 10 seasonal employees. The manager sets high expectations around quality and safety for the Horticulture team and ensures compliance throughout the department.

**This position works Tuesday to Saturday. Schedule flexibility is required; occasional evening/night work in busy seasons and during special programs such as the gala, Lightscape, etc. is needed.

Responsibilities/Duties

Staff Management

  • Provide day-to-day supervision of the Horticulture department; direct daily work assignments, manage time and attendance and scheduling, assess, and manage employee performance.
  • Streamline department processes around time and attendance and scheduling.
  • In collaboration with the director of Horticulture, develop staff work plans and monitor performance; provide coaching and guidance to employees.
  • Make daily rounds to assess the need for support and direction.
  • Handle routine issues that arise within the department; provide staff with solutions and escalate to the director when needed.
  • Collaborate with the director and HR around staffing conflicts and issues; represent the department in disciplinary meetings with union staff where appropriate.
  • Ensure compliance with Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and manage union staff accordingly.
  • Enforce departmental and institutional procedures consistently throughout the department.

Workplace Safety

  • Oversee the Horticulture department’s safety program; monitor staff to ensure they are held to the highest standard of safety based on industry best practices.
  • Continually assess training needs to ensure staff are properly trained in safety best practices specific to their position; maintain training records.
  • Ensure department practices are in compliance with OSHA and other relevant safety entities, document noncompliance and address issues.
  • Conduct regular safety checks of the worksite; ensure safe practices are consistently used throughout the department.
  • Maintain records of the department’s safety policies and procedures; document safety incidents and provide reports to other Garden departments upon request.

Equipment Management and Oversight

  • Ensure staff have the equipment needed to complete their work; manage inventory and track equipment, tools, and supplies.
  • Assist in the oversight of the department fleet and equipment; maintain fleet records.
  • Assist the director in managing department invoices.

Other Responsibilities

  • Liaise with the Facilities and Security departments around cross-department operational issues; escalate issues to the director when needed.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources around recruitment and onboarding of new hires.
  • Provide department support to HR and employees around leaves of absence, workers compensation claims, and reasonable accommodations.
  • Support the horticulture internship program on an as-needed basis.
  • Provide administrative support to contractors, vendors, and inspectors.
  • Help to oversee department operations during BBG’s events, inclement weather, and snow events.
  • Perform other related duties or special projects as directed.

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Three to five years’ experience in operational management including demonstrated abilities in staff support, coaching, development, and staff resolution
  • Bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture or related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Strong operational experience in a public garden highly preferred; experience working in a union environment a plus
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and complex operational matters daily
  • Good written, oral, computer, and communication skills
  • Excellent record-keeping skills
  • Possession of a motor vehicle driver’s license valid in the state of New York
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required
  • OSHA certification, or the ability to be certified, highly preferred
  • Pesticide applicator’s license desired

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range – $72,000-$90,000

Brooklyn Botanic Garden considers several factors when determining the appropriate salary to offer a candidate within the listed salary range. These factors include (but are not limited to), the scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate’s relevant work experience and education/training, job skills, equity across the institution, as well as market and organizational considerations.
BBG offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Health Insurance that begins the date of hire; employees are offered coverage through the City of New York’s Office of Labor Relations and can choose from a variety of plans, some at no cost to the employee.
  • Dental/Vision/Prescription Benefits
  • Pre-Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accounts
  • CIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance: BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.
  • Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 12 annual holidays
  • As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
  • Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free

Additional Information

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.
No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Apply Online

Contact Information

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Email: hr@bbg.org
Website: Apply Online