Horticulturist

Natural Lands, a vibrant, regional, nonprofit organization and leader in land conservation, natural resource stewardship, and public engagement, seeks a Horticulturist to join the professional garden staff at Stoneleigh: a natural garden.  

Located in Villanova, PA, Stoneleigh: a natural garden is a 42-acre former private estate that opened as a public garden in May of 2018. We are reimagining the historic landscape by creating gardens that are beautiful, biodiverse, and vital to our local ecology, with native plants as the foundation. Stoneleigh: a natural garden is open Tuesday through Sunday at no charge to visitors. The garden also hosts house tours and events. 

The Horticulturist will perform all horticultural duties necessary to establish and maintain sophisticated public garden landscapes, including assist in the installation, maintenance, and design of garden landscapes and natural areas. The Horticulturist will provide leadership and ensure that horticulture goals and assignments are accomplished. 

Additional responsibilities include operating heavy machinery and power equipment and assisting with public events, tours, and membership activities. This is a hands-on position in which the Horticulturist will be required to physically perform all tasks necessary for the continued development of Stoneleigh.  Occasional work on weekends, evenings, and holidays is required. This position reports to Stoneleigh’s Garden Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist Senior Horticulturists and Horticulturists with general gardening duties including planting, watering, weeding, mulching, pruning, and other landscape project tasks as assigned.
• Operate heavy equipment including tractors, mini excavators, and power tools such as hedge trimmers, blowers, string trimmers and other landscape maintenance equipment.
• Monitor and inspect plants for health deficiencies and problems, ascertain proper corrective measures, and apply appropriate pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• With managerial approval, select and source plants.
• Assist with nursery production, propagation, and plant care.
• Assist with public events, tours, educational programs, and membership activities.
  Assist with contractors, consultants, and volunteers, as necessary.
• Monitor the property and structures for unwarranted use, vandalism, and trash.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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 in all conditions, including heat, cold, and with occasional exposure to poison ivy, biting, and stinging insects, etc.
• Must be available to work on weekends on a rotational basis as well as some evenings and holidays.

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 in all conditions, including heat, cold, and with occasional exposure to poison ivy, biting, and stinging insects, etc.

Must be available to work on weekends on a rotational basis as well as some evenings and holidays. 

Natural Lands is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We aim to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.