Natural Lands, a vibrant, regional, nonprofit organization and leader in land conservation, natural resource stewardship, and public engagement, seeks a Horticulturist to join professional garden staff at Stoneleigh: a natural garden.
Since the early 1950s, Natural Lands has saved open space, cared for nature, and connected people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Today, the organization is one of the nation’s largest regional land conservancies and is widely respected for its record of success, technical expertise, respectful and creative approach to partnerships, fiscal strength, and integrity.
Stoneleigh, a 42-acre former private estate located in Villanova, PA, was donated to Natural Lands in 2016; making its debut as a public garden in May 2018. Stoneleigh promotes beauty and biodiversity through ecologically driven landscape practices and inspires others to make more sustainable choices in their own gardens, landscapes, and communities. The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday and is free to all. The garden also hosts tours, events, classes and other public programs.
The Horticulturist is a key team member whose primary role will be to assist in the design, installation and maintenance of garden landscapes and natural areas. They will also be required to perform, as needed, any and all additional tasks necessary for the development of Stoneleigh.
Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and attributes:
Primary Responsibilities
- Perform general gardening duties such as landscape design, pruning, planting, weeding, watering, mulching, mowing, snow and debris removal.
- Operate heavy equipment including tractors, mini excavators, backhoes, commercial mowers, as well as power tools such as chainsaws, blowers, string trimmers and other maintenance equipment.
- Monitor and inspect plants for pests and diseases, determine proper corrective measures and judiciously apply fertilizers and pesticides, when necessary and appropriate.
- With managerial approval, select, source, procure and purchase supplies and materials such as trees, shrubs, seeds, mulch, soil, garden tools and equipment.
- Assist or lead tours, educational programs, membership activities and other public events.
- Work with contractors, consultants, summer interns and volunteers, as necessary.
- Assist with facilities management as needed, including monitoring the property and structures for unwarranted use.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must possess horticulture and gardening knowledge.
- Must be passionate about or interested in learning more about sustainable landscape management and ecological horticulture.
- Flexible when dealing with changes in work plans.
- Must be comfortable engaging with all audiences.
- Must be comfortable working as part of small team fulfilling diverse roles.
- Highly motivated, responsible, reliable and dependable.
- Must carry out tasks in a professional manner and have an aptitude for injecting positive energy and good humor into the work day.
- Willingness to perform subordinate tasks such as clean-up.
Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions
- Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and a good driving record.
- Successfully pass a background check.
- Must be able to walk, stand, bend and squat on uneven terrain; must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and push up to 50 pounds.
- Must be comfortable working from a ladder, lift and other high places.
- Must be prepared to work outdoors under all conditions, including heat, cold, and with occasional exposure to poison ivy, biting and stinging insects, etc.
- Must be available to occasionally work weekends, evenings and holidays.
