Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WCBG) is a student-centered educational botanic garden with a great diversity of plants and landscapes indoors and out. The Greenhouse Horticulturist is responsible for the day-to-day operation of all WCBG greenhouse facilities, including the public-accessible Global Flora conservatory with indoor landscapes of highly diverse subtropical species, and a separate set of new standard greenhouses and headhouse used for teaching, research and propagation. The horticulturist is an essential member of a small staff team working collaboratively to maintain and develop these botanical resources, plan and implement programming for students and the public, and keep the greenhouse and garden operations running smoothly, and is supervised by the WCBG Director. The horticulturist also mentors and supervises Wellesley College student assistants, summer interns and short-term staff on horticultural tasks and projects. The horticulturist must be independent, resourceful, and a good communicator. A successful candidate will embrace learning and contributing to an inclusive and equitable work culture.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Cultivate the great variety of plants grown in the Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses
Basic routine care includes hand watering, fertilizing, grooming, and managing pests using integrated pest management protocols, e.g., monitoring and documenting pest presence, treatments, and beneficial insect purchases and release, cleaning/sanitizing tools and pots
Transplant, train, and prune accessioned plants as necessary to maintain them in good condition within available space
Grow plants requested for teaching purposes and provide horticultural support for classes and research projects in the greenhouses
2. Supervise and mentor student assistants; part-time student workers and summer interns are integral to all Botanic Gardens operations
Students must be directed clearly, overseen appropriately, and kept in safe conditions
The student body is diverse in background and experience; teach and oversee necessary skills in an equitable, inclusive, and empathetic manner
Coordinate schedules with other staff and students in order to accommodate daily plant care needs, including working some weekends and holidays (through schedule shifts or overtime) under arrangements agreed on by the college and the union.
3. Operate greenhouse physical plant, including automated climate controls (Argus and Wadsworth), to maintain the best possible growing conditions for plants in each greenhouse, under the direction of the Botanical Collections Manager
Monitor climatic conditions closely and program, maintain and trouble-shoot all equipment (vents, shades etc.) accordingly
Monitor physical plant conditions including water quality and availability, security, daily open and closing conditions (within work hours)
Respond to alarms and problems outside of normal working hours when necessary
Work with Science Center technical staff and campus Facilities team to resolve issues with plumbing, electrical, and environmental sensors, and with outside specialty contractors as needed
Provide maintenance updates and recommendations to the Director
Keep greenhouses and headhouse tidy and organized, and purchase supplies as needed
4. Work collaboratively with the staff and campus community towards the core educational goals of the Botanic Gardens
Mentor and supervise diverse college students and temporary staff one-on-one or in small groups to help care for plants as well as teach relevant skills and concepts
Support the work-study and summer internship programs, aiding in the student hiring process and coordination of horticultural tasks and projects
Participate in and/or provide horticultural support for occasional events, workshops, and other greenhouse-based programs for the campus and public
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, passion, and ability to care for highly diverse greenhouse plants with attention to their individual needs
Demonstrated ability to become fluent in complex greenhouse control systems (Argus, Wadsworth) and collaboration software (e.g. Google suite)
A degree in horticulture, botany or related field plus at least 2 years of hands-on horticultural experience in public or educational garden settings, or at least 3 years of horticultural experience in public or educational garden settings
Demonstrated interest in mentoring students, working collaboratively on teams, and being part of a diverse learning community
Capacity to stay informed of and apply current best horticultural practices, and project manage internal trades and external contractors
Capacity to learn pest species and implement ecologically sound IPM for greenhouses
Physical fitness, including ability to work on ladders and lift 50 lbs without assistance
Drivers license and ability to safely operate specialty vehicles and power equipment
Massachusetts pesticide license obtained within 6 months after hire and kept current
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Previous work with automated greenhouse climate controls
Interest in and basic knowledge of greenhouse plumbing and irrigation systems
Interest in and basic knowledge of environmental sensor networks and programming
Tagged as: Conservation
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