Environmental Horticulturist

**Description**:
The Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education Division is currently seeking a dynamic, highly skilled Senior Horticulturist (Environmental Horticulturist) for Brookside Gardens, a fifty-acre horticultural display garden in **Wheaton, MD.**

The Environmental Horticulturist, supervised by the Assistant Director for Horticulture, oversees the ecological success and environmental beauty of the natural areas at Brookside Gardens and manages the plant records database which documents the curated collections of this living museum. The role includes leading and directing seasonal staff and volunteers, collaborating with horticulture staff, and managing the display labels and online plant database to enhance visitor experience. The Environmental Horticulturist plays a key role in the overall health of plants and the dynamic displays of the Garden of Lights exhibit. _Performs other related duties as assigned._
- Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience._

**Examples of Important Duties**:

- Manages natural areas by removing invasive weeds and planting for ecological succession, wildlife benefits, and climate resilience.
- Manages plant records database for new plants and changes to existing specimens.
- Manages plant display labels, accession tags, and interpretive signs to enhance visitor experience and maintain accurate plant records.
- Assists with plant curation to determine plant collections and specimens for climate resiliency, conservation, and visitor engagement.
- Uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ensure plant health. Identify and diagnose pests, diseases, and other plant problems and determine the effective treatment.
- Recommends purchases of equipment, supplies, and materials, obtaining price quotes.
- Holds purchase card for gardens section and completes transactions for approved order. Maintains accurate financial records.
- Collaborates in Garden of Lights exhibit by designing layout, researching new technologies, designing structures, and maintaining quality control.
- Provides horticultural information to visitors, requests and installs labels, maintains records, develops interpretive signage, and answers visitor questions.
- Teaches at least two educational programs for visitors per year.
- Participates in garden-wide special events such as plant sales and Children’s Day.
- Lead and direct seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers at Brookside Gardens. Plan, instruct, and train staff on various aspects of work.
- Some evening and weekend work required. Responds to weather emergencies as required, including snow removal.

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**Important Skills and Characteristics**
- Knowledge of horticultural sciences, plant nomenclature, and landscape design.
- Skill in safely operating landscape equipment and tools.
- Skill in utilizing technology to effectively communicate, maintain records, manage databases, conduct research, and create educational teaching aids.
- Demonstrate exceptional communication and interpersonal skills that contribute to a high performing team.
- Ability to provide courteous service.

**Preferred Qualifications**
- Willingness to share horticultural knowledge with visitors, volunteers, and staff in informal settings, formally scheduled programs, and interpretive signage.
- Experience working in a public garden or similar cultural institution.
- Supervisory experience, including paid staff, students, interns, and volunteers.
- Ability to communicate in one of Montgomery County’s most common languages (Spanish, Chinese, African Languages, Persian, French) is a plus.

**Minimum Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or any related field.
- Two (2) years of professional experience in horticulture or closely related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
- A valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of the position.
- Maryland State Pesticide Applicator’s License may be required within twelve (12) months of employment, depending on area of assignment.

**Supplemental Information**:
Class/Specification: Senior Horticulturist

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
- Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available