Turf Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

This position supervises and provides day-to-day active leadership to horticultural staff, volunteers, seasonal employees, and horticultural interns, and maintains BTG's plant collection, irrigation, and pond system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the supervision and continual development of assigned staff. Building positive employee relations by coaching, counseling, mentoring, motivating, resolving conflict, praising, etc.; participates in interim and annual performance reviews of assigned staff

Meets regularly with Director of Horticulture for work assignments to plan and coordinate projects determining necessary personnel or discussion of garden concerns; assigns garden supervisors with specific tasks and should participate in the more difficult and/or complex tasks or projects

Performs regular inspections throughout the gardens; routine inspections may identify insect/disease problems, weed control needs, etc.; reports major problems or concerns to Director of Horticulture

Responsible for the staff's proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and materials; performs minor maintenance of power equipment, tools, and irrigation; Responsible for the gardening staff's safety performance

Responsible for maintaining required knowledge of established garden plants and understanding the cultural requirements to maintain their growth and cultivation

Lead horticultural tours as needed, assist with educational programming and special events

Coordinate and oversees subcontracted projects; Supervise special team projects

Assist the Director of Horticulture in the hiring process for the Display Horticulture Staff as well as the onboarding process

Assist in the greenhouse; starting seedling, watering, spraying and propagating plant material when needed. Perform turf and lawn maintenance, weed and water as needed

Occasional overall supervision of the Horticulture Department in the absence of the Director of Horticulture

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, fellow supervisors, direct supervisors, volunteers, and co-workers

Ability to work independently as well as part of a team effectively

Ability to work with and supervise a diverse staff and volunteer group

Strong organizational, analytical, and mathematical skills for research, recordkeeping, and problem-solving; ability to read design schematics

Ability to understand and interpret instructions; ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision

Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate maintenance and horticultural needs and personnel needs in a courteous and effective manner

Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates and/or volunteers

Knowledge of garden plants and desire to learn central Florida horticulture and the aesthetic ethic of the Gardens

Ability to fulfill the Garden's plant collection and plant records policies

Ability to perform and support horticultural practices that facilitate plant health through understanding soil nutrition, sustainable gardening and Integrated Pest Management

Ability to visualize and conceptualize garden detail and aesthetics applying best garden practices for plant health and keep a commitment to excellence.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates or bachelor's degree in horticulture, botany, or natural sciences

Minimum of 5-10 years of hands-on experience in public gardens

Minimum 2-3 plus years supervisory experience with landscape or garden staff preferred

In-depth knowledge of plant culture, Best Management Practices, plant identification and design preferred

Previous experience in garden or grounds maintenance with the ability to operate various types of hand and power operated tools and equipment utilized in all phases of horticulture work

(lawnmower, front-end loader, tractors, backpack sprayers, weed-eaters, etc.)

Previous experience and knowledge of irrigation systems and maintenance

Proficiency with PC Access program, mapping with GPS Trimble Unit, and Arcview 8.0.

Knowledge of Microsoft Suite.

Current Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License with ornamental and turf category or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must be able to perform strenuous physical work outside in the Florida weather year-round, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions and exposure to insects

Continual or prolonged periods of time bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, kneeling, crawling, digging, and lifting at least 60 pounds

Occasional weekend and/or holiday work required to meet departmental deadlines or to provide staff support for BTG special events

Most possess and maintain a valid driver's license