Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture

Position Summary: The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture oversees the production program for producing approximately 80,000 plants for Special Exhibitions and outdoor seasonal displays, including the propagation, production, and shipping of plants across the Garden's glasshouses. The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture collaborates with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and the Manager of the Conservatory to oversee the care and maintenance of the glasshouse living collections in the Nolen Greenhouses and Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture directly supervises the union glasshouse gardening staff in the Nolen Greenhouses and works closely with colleagues in Horticulture and other NYBG divisions to ensure that production goals and schedules are met. In collaboration with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and the Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Landscape, the Associate Director of Glasshouse Horticulture contributes to special exhibition design, develops and implements production request lists and planting schedules, develops and implements best management practices for plant health, including biological control program, coordinates glasshouse maintenance activities, and oversees climate control systems and settings for the Garden's glasshouses.

Leadership: Supervises directly a union work force responsible for growing a wide variety of plant material (annuals, perennials, bulbs, tropical, and hardy woody plants) for living glasshouse collections, changing exhibitions, and seasonal displays. Instructs and directs students in the School of Professional Horticulture and volunteers. In concert with the Director of Horticulture Operations, develops, implements, and tracks skills and safety training programs for staff, students, and volunteers. Establishes annual operating budgets for glasshouse work and tracks and manages expenditures accordingly.

Plant Production: Manages plant orders, develops plant production request lists and crop production schedules, and contributes to special exhibition design in collaboration with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture to meet institutional needs and deadlines. Develops and implements best management practices for plant production including fertilizer schedules, plant movements and placement, pest and disease management, greenhouse growing environment, and growing techniques. Develops and maintains records of cultivation practices, procedures, and techniques.

Glasshouse Collections: Collaborates with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, the Manager of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the Vice President for Glasshouses and Landscape to develop and implement strategies for collections-related work across both glasshouses. Develops and implements best management practices for glasshouse living collections including fertilizer schedules, plant movements and placement, pest and disease management, greenhouse growing environment, and growing techniques. Collaborates with Plant Records to track and record changes to the living collections.

Plant Health: Collaborates with the Director of Horticulture Operations and AVP for Horticulture Operations and staff to monitor plant health in the Nolen Greenhouses and establish and implement strategies for integrated pest management, including biological control practices. Plants, supervises and tracks plant health treatments. Assists with the reporting of plant health treatments according to the requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Facility and Operations: Establishes optimal climate settings for glasshouse collections and plant production and works with the Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Facilities Specialist to monitor and adjust as necessary. Coordinates glasshouse maintenance activities with Director of Glasshouse Horticulture, Facilities Specialist, AVP for Horticulture Operations, Engineering, and Operations staff. Manages inventory of supplies needed for greenhouse operations and plant production. Oversees loading, shipping, and tracking of plants between glasshouses.

Institutional: Represents NYBG at professional conferences, in the media, and for institutional events and activities when appropriate. Other related work, as required, including some weekend and holiday assignments.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions and in a glasshouse environment in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Baseline Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM-4:30 PMMust be able to work on weekends when scheduled.

Salary: commensurate with experience within the range of $100,000 to $110,000

Benefits: 15 Vacation Days13 Paid Holidays12 Sick DaysHealth and Dental Insurance Coverage 401KPension PlanEOE