Coordinator, Horticulture Programs, Litzsinger Road Ecology Center

Summary:

Responsible for coordination of all horticulture operations for the 39 acre Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC) site, including planning, budgeting, installation, and maintenance of all native plant horticultural projects. Manages horticulture volunteers. Consults with the restoration supervisor to ensure that landscaping and plant production meet ecological and economic parameters. Assists in prairie, woodland, and stream restoration efforts. Collaborates with the LREC education team to provide leadership and outreach to school garden programs. Represents the Missouri Botanical Garden positively during public outreach opportunities, whose mission is to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, maintains and documents innovative horticultural plans for LREC.
• Applies systems thinking principles to ensure long-term horticultural viability of LREC.
• Analyze, plan for, and respond to ecological interactions on site and in the broader community as they impact LREC operations.
• Responsible for effectively managing LREC's horticulture budget in coordination with the restoration supervisor.
• Responsible for the maintenance and purchasing of all horticultural materials.
• Manages collection of seed and plant propagation materials in coordination with LREC restoration staff to further enhance the LREC site and restoration goals.
• Supports restoration staff in controlling invasive species through the use of manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methods including chainsaw operation.
• Proactive outreach to grow the Garden Consultation and Support Program for schools affiliated with the center's educational programs. Raising the awareness of the program.
• Participates in educational program instruction, leads volunteer enrichment programs, and similar public outreach opportunities.
• Interacts with and maintains positive relations with LREC's residential neighbors.
• Promotes a division culture of teamwork and mutual support.
• Recruits, leads and recognizes LREC volunteers.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents 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/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities, however, at times, may monitor or direct job duties of volunteers and interns.

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.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum (2-3) years' experience in designing and developing horticulture plans.
• Strong working knowledge of best practices in horticulture and ability to apply that knowledge to LREC and their programs.
• Working knowledge and prior experience with Missouri or other North American native plants is required.
• Experience working in close proximity to the public and answering general questions.
• Experience with the use of computers for data recording and management.
• Demonstrated work experience with applying herbicides safely by following labels.
• Demonstrated work experience operating chainsaws and other power equipment preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a professional manner.
• Prior experience working with volunteers is a plus.
• Scheduling flexibility is required to work weekends, evenings, or holidays.
• 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:

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or science-related field required.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Able to use power tools and herbicides safely.
• Able to instruct others in the safe use of power tools and herbicides.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).

Mathematical Skills: Proficient college math aptitude - Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Ability to identify future consequences of present actions.
• Able to apply systems thinking principles to ensure long-term horticultural viability of the site.
• Able to analyze, plan for, and respond to ecological interactions on site and in the broader community as they impact site operations.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in standard Office Suite.
• Solid internet research skills.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED training.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and clean, insurable driving record (prior to employment).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain pesticide/herbicide applicator's license.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to carry weight in the form of plants and related materials (e.g. mulch).
• Ability to operate a variety of power tools safely.
• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
• Must be able to work both indoors and out.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (i.e., carrying boxes and plants, gardening supplies, medium weight tools and equipment).
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, etc.).
• Requires extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching for extended periods of time-- 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet.

Work Environment:

• Work involves a balance of outdoor work on the Center grounds and in the community, with office work needed to complete duties successfully.
• Outdoor work environments may require working throughout the day in all seasons in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed.
• Office work is in a shared, open environment with 3-5 other staff and/or interns-noise level is moderate.
• Work is highly collaborative with colleagues and community partners, requiring a great deal of interface with other professionals.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Community members
• School personnel
• Litzsinger Foundation Trustees
• Garden staff, volunteers, and donors
• Other botanical gardens or universities

Supervisor:

• Supervisor of Ecological Restoration, Litzsinger Road Ecology Center