Lead Horticulturist

Job Description

The Lead Horticulturist will work under the guidance of the Director of Horticulture and lead the daily activities of the Horticulture Department. This position will supervise and coordinate the staff, interns, and volunteers who are responsible for the care and maintenance of the Arboretum’s plant collections and gardens. They will also manage the budget, time reports, and performance evaluations for their section.

The Lead Horticulturist will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and expertise in designing, planting, and maintaining a specific garden section in the Arboretum. Working closely with the Director of Horticulture, this position aides in the planning and execution of short-term and long-term goals for the department and is an active participate in the strategic planning processes.

About Us

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Duties & Responsibilities

Oversees the daily garden-related activities of the Horticulture Department staff, including the implementation of established departmental priorities and project management.

Responsible for the care and maintenance of a specific garden section in the Arboretum with support from seasonal staff.

Coordinates the schedules for regular staff, interns, and mower operators.

Responsible for weekly time reports, administration and disbursement of assigned budgets, and evaluation of staff performance as required.

Works closely with the Director of Horticulture to map out and execute short and long-term departmental priorities to achieve the most efficient and satisfactory results.

Participates in longer-term departmental strategic planning.

Perform outreach activities including teaching courses in Arboretum’s Continuing Education Courses.

Participate in Special Events, occasional weekend duty assignments, and perform as Essential Staff for Snow Clearing Operations.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Must have strong knowledge of plant identification, as well as skills in using various tools and equipment for horticultural tasks.

Ability to operate garden machinery and perform physically demanding tasks, required.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse groups of people.

Proven leadership and management skills for supervising staff and projects.

Should have a passion and enthusiasm for plants and nature and a creativity and aesthetic sense for garden design and display.

Application Instructions

Apply Online at Careers at Penn:

https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Lead-Horticulturist–Morris-Arboretum—Gardens_JR00082193