Supervisor, Tropical Plant Collections

Summary: The Tropical Plant Collections Supervisor is responsible for supervisory duties associated with design, maintenance and care of tropical plant displays and collections. This position ensures the conservatory and greenhouses display the maximum amount of tropical plant diversity aligned with the Garden's mission and uses the collections for ex-situ conservation. They ensure the highest standards of quality for displays, plant health, plant database records, and labeling associated to the collections. This role leads the tropical plant collections team in researching and keeping cultivation information associated with the collections.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains a diverse tropical plant collection and displays in assigned conservatory and greenhouse space of the highest quality that aligns MBG's collections policy.

• Supervises a team of horticulturists and volunteers that develop and care for MBG's tropical plant collections to the highest standards and best practices.. Maintains the ideal greenhouse and conservatory growing environment including but not limited to; appropriate light levels, humidity, soil media, soil nutrients, water quality, identifies/treats pests and diseases.

• Develops and implements Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in Climatron.

• Researches and implements cultivation techniques to optimize plant health and to display quality of each taxon in the collections.

• Ensures that all plant records associated to the tropical plant collections are maintained to the highest standards according to MBG protocols and guidelines.

• Collaborates with MBG nursery staff to improve propagation and requests re-propagation for the health of plant collections as needed. Develop and maintain conservatory landscape displays for the Climatron that are aesthetically pleasing and educational. Follow all appropriate legal and ethical processes when acquiring plants for the Garden; oblige with national and international permits and regulations including Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• Participates in developing divisional budget, ensures the conservatories and greenhouses operate within approved budget.

• Completes purchase orders and allocates time and material costs to appropriate accounts.

• Maintains equipment and tools; submits maintenance requests to Facilities and Construction.

• Performs tours and gives presentations as needed; responsible for interacting with the media (TV, Radio, Newspaper).

• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; adjusts work methods to reduce hazards.

• Reports accidents and injuries immediately.

• Meets expected attendance guidelines.

• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.

• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors and managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position supervises 2 Climatron Horticulturists and this position will also lead around twenty (20) volunteers.

Core Competencies:

Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.

Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.

Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.

Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Leadership - Incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum of (5) five years of practical, relevant work experience.

• Minimum (3) years of experience in personnel management. Strong knowledge of plants, materials (i.e., fertilizers, herbicides, etc.), plant and general landscape maintenance techniques and equipment.

• Knowledge and understanding of managing plant collections in conservatory environments.

• Experience in and understanding of collections curation and plant recording.

• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple landscaping operations.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures at a botanical garden.

• Working knowledge of safe operation procedures for various types of landscape maintenance equipment.

• Thorough understanding of automatic irrigation systems and their basic design requirements. Working knowledge of budget development/management and forecasting.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct the work of others to complete general projects, including staff and volunteers.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to the general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.

• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends and holidays as needed.

• Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines.

• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.

• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required

Education:

• B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany and/or related field required.

• M.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany and/or related field preferred.

• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Solid Internet research skills.
• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff to answer questions and service their needs.

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• Ability to read and understand pesticide labels.

Mathematical Skills:

• Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Ability to possess and maintain valid driver's license.

• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

• Certified pesticide applicator's license.
• Other related certifications are a plus.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment).

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e. climb ladders, work in bucket lift, etc.).

• Hike several miles while carrying field collections gear.

• Must be able to work in high heat and humidity.

• Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time.

• Ability to transport cumbersome potted plants and trays of varying weights.

• Ability to safely navigate narrow greenhouse aisles.

• Ability to wear Garden-issued Personal Protective Equipment.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).

Work Environment:

• Ability to work indoors in all weather conditions (i.e., humid conditions, temperatures over 100F as well as outdoor in temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions if needed).

• 80% or more of the workday is standing while watering or maintaining plants.

• Wet conditions as watering is frequent.
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering general questions regarding the Garden's operations, events, facilities, etc.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Frequently works with peer organizations for forwarding tropical plant collections

• Garden Employees, Volunteers, Guests
• Occasional tour groups

Supervisor (title not person):

• Director, Nursery and Conservatories