Garden Supervisor

Why Cheekwood?

Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you are passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You will find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque settings.

What does the Cheekwood Garden Team do and why join?

At Cheekwood, the gardening team is responsible for the care and maintenance of the garden's plants and landscapes. Their tasks typically include planting and propagating a diverse array of flora, ensuring proper soil health and nutrition, watering schedules, pruning for shape and health, pest and disease management, and seasonal upkeep. Joining the gardening team at Cheekwood offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of plants, including rare and exotic species, which can be rewarding for plant enthusiasts. We also offer offers a peaceful and beautiful work environment surrounded by nature, making it an attractive career for those who enjoy working outdoors and appreciate the tranquility of gardens.

What will you be doing?

The garden supervisor oversees the maintenance of landscapes and plant collections, managing staff schedules and workflows while ensuring adherence to company policies. They work closely with department leaders to establish best practices, coordinate garden operations, and maintain aesthetic standards. The supervisor also contributes to garden design and seasonal displays, manages budgets, and trains staff and volunteers. Engaging with visitors, providing educational presentations, and representing Cheekwood in community activities are integral parts of their role, ensuring alignment with organizational values and goals.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervises both permanent and temporary garden staff engaged in proper garden
• maintenance including scheduling and managing daily workflows. Follows all company policies and procedures related to the supervision and performance of direct reports, including annual performance evaluations and disciplinary action.
• Collaborates with the department leadership to develop, maintain, and document best management practices.
• Assists department leadership and other supervisors in coordinating overall garden operations including all-staff work plans, irrigation schedules, and routine and seasonal maintenance plans.
• Primarily responsible for the full scope of garden maintenance within a clearly identified zone and communicates and coordinates with other supervisors to ensure seamless coverage between zones and throughout peripheral and transitional areas.
• Performs all levels of landscape and grounds maintenance required to maintain the highest aesthetic standards throughout the property and support seasonal display rotations, especially Blooms. Understands and stewards the Mission Statements for Gardens and Collections.
• Assists department leadership with design development for garden areas and seasonal displays.
• Monitors plant health via best scouting practices.
• Monitors and manages soil fertility in garden areas.
• Controls weed and pest populations in garden areas via best practices for integrated pest management and in accordance with the Cheekwood Pesticide Use Policy.
• Performs limited tree work, including pruning and light removals.
• Maintains plant labels, plant inventories, and other physical garden interpretation in assigned areas. Requests plant labels as needed and completes accession forms on new plant material.
• Maintains standards for the daily care and storage of garden equipment and works with other supervisors to ensure total participation in maintaining the highest standards of organization.
• Responsible for maintaining records of work activities in assigned areas of the garden.
• Engages in diversified and/or specialized scope based on individual background and departmental and institutional needs (See Additional Responsibilities, as applicable).
• Assists Department leadership to schedule and manage contract services to support the garden maintenance function.
• Identifies special needs and maintenance priorities for immediate action, including hazard removal, health and safety issues, invasive plant control, pest problems, and irrigation failures. Reports these needs and priorities to Department leadership.
• Supports Department leadership in the development of operating and special project budgets. Assists to manage procurement based on a general awareness of fiscal climates.
• Purchases, maintains, and manages inventory of garden maintenance equipment and supplies.
• Motivates, trains, and supervises paid and unpaid garden staff, including seasonal interns and volunteers in assigned areas of responsibilities.
• Assists co-workers with special projects as determined by Department leadership and provides project management assistance for major garden projects.
• Interacts with Cheekwood visitors and other constituents in many ways, including answering plant-related questions, giving presentations and leading tours of the Garden.
• Serves as an external representative of Cheekwood and engages members of the community and industry to exchange information and ideas to support individual and institutional growth.
• Maintains a constant awareness of the guest experience and makes every reasonable effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all people moving through the Garden.
• Understands and upholds the Cheekwood Mission, Vision and Values and maintains great awareness and flexibility to accommodate and support organizational goals and operations.

Education

An associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Must be a certified pesticide applicator in the State of Tennessee or obtain certification within one year of employment.

Experience

At least three years of garden maintenance experience in public horticulture, estate maintenance or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled in identification of herbaceous annual, herbaceous perennial and woody perennial plant material
• Strong working knowledge of general taxonomy and binomial nomenclature
• Strong working knowledge of plant healthcare principles and plant lifecycles
• Competent in the safe and efficient operation of landscape maintenance equipment
• Strong working knowledge of basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Positive and professional attitude.
• Detail-oriented.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in a team.
• Must be able to work flexible and fluctuating schedules based on business needs.

Benefits

The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:

• Health Insurance with an HRA
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
• Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays
• Aflac products are offered.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Statement

Cheekwood is committed to embracing, pursuing, and celebrating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility among our board, staff, leadership, partners, vendors, volunteers, members, supporters, and visitors. We will be steadfast in our efforts to welcome people of all races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, political affiliations, ages, and abilities. We recognize we have much work to do and pledge to pursue new and previously underrepresented ideas, artists, advisors, partners, instructors, innovators, and audiences so that all voices can be heard, respected, and supported.

**Cheekwood employees have an opportunity to participate in an active and ongoing IDEA Committee promoting inclusivity and engagement.