Landscape Supervisor

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

This position supervises and provides day-to-day active leadership to an assigned team of gardeners and volunteers. This position may assume overall supervision of all garden supervisors and gardeners in the absence of the Horticulture Manager and/or the Director of Horticulture. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides daily supervision of garden staff, volunteers and volunteer work crews; may supervise special team projects 
• Meets regularly with Horticulture Manager for work assignments to plan and coordinate projects, determining necessary personnel or discussion of garden concerns; assigns gardeners with specific tasks and may participate in the more difficult and/or complex tasks or projects; apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers as needed or assigned 
• Performs regular inspections throughout assigned areas of the gardens; routine inspections may identify insect/disease problems, weed control needs, etc.; reports major problems or concerns to Horticulture Manager and makes necessary recommendations for correction or control 
• Responsible for the staff personnel’s proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and materials; performs minor maintenance of power equipment and irrigation; refers more serious problems to the Horticulture Manager or Mechanic; oversees proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment by assigned garden staff 
• Responsible for maintaining required knowledge of established garden plants and understanding the cultural requirements to maintain their growth and cultivation 
• Responsible for assisting and developing annual plant lists for use in the gardens 
• Responsible for the continual development of assigned supervised garden staff and building positive employee relations by coaching, counseling, mentoring, motivating, resolving conflict, praising, documentation of performance, etc.; participates in performance reviews of assigned garden staff 
• Demonstrates a continual positive effort to maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and management 
• Responsible for the department’s gardening staff’s safety performance 
• Occasional overall supervision of all garden supervisors and gardeners in the absence of the Horticulture Manager and/or the Director of Horticulture
• Garden Supervisors are asked to assist in Irrigation, Pest Management, and Plant Accessioning and may be encouraged to focus on one of these tasks. 
• Perform general gardening duties, and is responsible for the care and cultivation of an assigned garden area. 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and understanding of gardening practices and plant materials appropriate for the nature of the Gardens preferred; 
• Ability to operate various types of hand and power operated tools and equipment utilized in all phases of horticulture work (lawnmower, front-end loader, tractors, back pack sprayers, weed-eaters, etc.); 
• Knowledge and understanding of gardening practices and plant materials; 
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Florida weather year-round; 
• Ability to lift at least 60 lbs. 
• Ability to understand and interpret instruction to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision 
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate maintenance and horticultural needs and personnel needs in a courteous and effective manner 
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates and/or volunteers 
• Strong organizational, analytical, and mathematical skills for research, recordkeeping, problem-solving and plant accessioning 

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA or BS in horticultural or related field 
• Three to five (3 to 5) years previous experience in garden or grounds maintenance; 
• Three to five (3 to 5) years previous supervisory experience, with landscape or garden staff preferred; 
• Current Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License with ornamental and turf category or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire 
• Current Florida Certified Horticultural Professional certification or ability to obtain one within the first year of employment 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

•  Must be able to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Florida weather year-round, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions and exposure to insects 
•  Continual or prolonged periods of time bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, kneeling, crawling, digging, and lifting at least 60 pounds 
•  Occasional weekend and/or holiday work required to meet departmental deadlines or to provide staff support for BTG special events 
•  Most possess and maintain a valid driver’s license