Gardens and Grounds Manager

Job Description

Gardens and Grounds Manager

Awbury Arboretum is seeking a Gardens and Grounds Manager to lead the care and enhancement of our 56-acre landscape. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about horticulture, landscape design, and sustainability to make a significant impact on one of Philadelphia’s most cherished green spaces. If you’re creative, hands-on, and eager to bring fresh ideas to life, this role offers the chance to turn your vision into reality.

Position Overview:
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this leadership role oversees all horticulture, arboriculture, and landscape management programs at Awbury.

About Awbury Arboretum:
Awbury Arboretum serves the Philadelphia community by providing free and accessible scenic landscapes, including gardens, woodlands, meadows, and farm areas. As a nonprofit, we are committed to preserving natural heritage and offering accessible green space for all.

About Us

Awbury Arboretum is a free public garden and farm serving Northwest Philadelphia. Building on the social justice values of our Quaker founders, we make a positive environmental impact, educate children and adults, and nurture an inclusive community.

Duties & Responsibilities

Planning

• Serve on Awbury’s senior leadership team and contribute to long-term strategic planning.
• Develop and implement an annual landscape management plan for Awbury’s grounds, ensuring seasonal beauty and long-term health.
• Lead enhancements to plant collections and design new plantings with an emphasis on aesthetics and sustainability.
• Oversee tree care, including pruning, health assessments, and safety measures, as well as plant inventories.
• Manage the budget and resource allocation for the landscape team.

Maintenance

• Oversee the daily care of gardens, meadows, woodlands, and farm areas, coordinating staff, contractors, and volunteers.
• Manage landscape maintenance, including plant care, lawn upkeep, irrigation, and pathways.
• Serve as project manager for capital projects related to landscape and hardscape.
• Coordinate outsourced horticultural and related services.
• Operate machinery such as tractors, trucks, and garden equipment, and manage preventive maintenance for vehicles and tools.
• Ensure a safe working environment, reporting any potential safety concerns promptly, and maintaining cleanliness by addressing trash, debris, and illegal dumping when necessary.

Leadership, Supervision, and Community Engagement

• Supervise a team of at least four (landscape crew, part-time gardener, and arborist), fostering skills development, appropriate training, and teamwork.
• Collaborate with other departments to support Awbury programming and community events.
• Assist in planning for events and manage landscape-related support for special occasions.
• Work closely with the Landscape Committee Chair on planning and project execution and provide updates to the board as needed.
• Build relationships with volunteers, gardening groups, and community stakeholders.
• Represent Awbury within the broader horticultural and environmental community.
• Provide horticultural content for Awbury’s publications and materials.

Education and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in horticulture, landscape management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of woody and herbaceous plants; Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator’s license and valid driver’s license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, ecology, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Must be a well-organized, empathetic leader with excellent communication skills.
• Experience with sustainable landscape practices and plant care suitable for the region.
• Competency with landscape maintenance equipment and plant records management software.
• Leadership or supervisory experience preferred, but candidates ready to grow into this responsibility are welcome.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and work independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for environmental stewardship and community engagement.
• Positive outlook and enthusiasm for this role’s big and small challenges and opportunities.

Additional Information

Why This Role Is Special
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for horticulture and a vision for Awbury’s future. You’ll have the creative freedom to shape and design a lasting legacy, bringing your ideas to life in an environment that supports innovation and leadership. Awbury is a place where you can inspire the community and lead impactful projects that transform the urban landscape.

Schedule:
This is a salaried position with a standard Monday-Friday schedule, but flexibility for weekend or evening work may be required. The role involves both indoor and outdoor work.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:
Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods on uneven grounds.
Must be comfortable working with technology, including Microsoft and Google.

Compensation:
This full-time position offers a salary of $50,000-$55,000, plus health benefits, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

Application Instructions

Submit the following to sstevenson@awbury.org:

• Cover letter outlining your relevant experience, interest in the role, management experience, and oversight of major projects
• Resume
• Three references (at least two professional references)

No phone calls, please.

Awbury Arboretum is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.