Title: Horticulturist

State Role Title: Trades Manager I

Hiring Range: $55,000 to $65,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Gunston Hall

Location: LORTON CSC

Agency Website: www.dhrm.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Gunston Hall is a small museum with a highly collaborative, energetic staff dedicated to the power of
place, historical objects, and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. We
offer an exciting opportunity for an energetic and action-oriented professional to join our team in the
development and maintenance of gardens and historic landscapes on our 550-acre historic site. Having
recently adopted a twenty-year Campus Master Plan and reconstructed the historic riverside garden at
Gunston Hall, we are seeking a passionate and collaborative horticulturist with the vision, expertise, and
ability to continue to establish the one-acre riverside garden.

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in horticulture and landscape management, a compelling
vision for the educational potential of gardens and landscapes, an enthusiasm for their work, a
commitment to collaboration, and a strong belief in the importance of ongoing personal and
professional development. Although knowledge of 18th-century horticulture is a plus, it is not a
requirement and the ideal candidate will be interested in learning more about the subject on the job.

Description of Duties:

The horticulturist is a full-time, exempt-status position working within Operations under the direct
supervision of the Deputy Director. This position directly supervises those assigned to and assisting with
the care of the historic gardens and landscape.
Gardening: The horticulturist is responsible for
 Taking the lead role in all garden and historic landscape work at Gunston Hall.
 Completing the implementation of the riverside garden planting plan.
 Maintaining the riverside garden.
 Ensuring that Gunston Hall’s horticultural work implements and reflects current best practices in
the field and that the organization’s plant holdings and landscapes are documented
appropriately.
 Establishing goals and providing daily technical and physical work to ensure the success of
garden and historic landscape related activities.
 Adhering to the best care and management practices for planting, pruning, replacing,
harvesting, seed collecting, and the overall care of a variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs,
trees, and shrubs.
 Assuming responsibility for amending the soil within the garden enclosures as necessary.
 Identifying, controlling, and treating weeds, diseases, and pests including the safe and proper
use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
Working with others: The horticulturist is responsible for:
Assigning work, evaluating employees, reviewing and acting on personnel grievances and
complaints, and is directly involved with hiring, disciplinary actions, and termination.
 Assuring OSHA guidelines are being followed in the work place and is safe for employees and
visitors. Assures staff has the proper tools and equipment and the proper training to use and
maintain all items safely.
 Supervising the Senior Gardener, which is proposed to be hired in 2024.
 Working with our landscape contractor who assists in maintaining the garden.
 Maintaining and expanding the volunteer corps
 Supervising the timely harvesting of produce, including fulfilling requests by the education and
guest experiences department and the museum shop.
 Communicating with internal and external audiences about Gunston Hall’s garden and
landscapes.
 Cultivating and maintaining professional relationships with other historic gardens and
greenhouse facilities to exchange ideas and information.
Supporting the mission: The horticulturist is responsible for
 Conducting research on Gunston Hall’s gardens, plants, and landscapes including the sharing of
findings with staff and the public through lectures, publications, tours, new media, and similar
formats.
 Interacting positively with visitors, answering questions, and giving directions.
 Working closely with the Deputy Director to prepare the annual horticulture budget and work
plan.
 Serving as the authority on Gunston Hall’s horticultural efforts, representing these initiatives
and work to visitors, donors, the media, and the public at large.
 Collaborating with the executive director and development staff to raise funds necessary to
complete needed horticulture initiatives and projects.
Desired Qualifications
 B.S. degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a closely related field.
 Two to three years of progressive work experience either at a historic site or park or for a
private company.
 Sound knowledge of the philosophy and fundamental principles, theories, and best practices of
horticulture and landscape management.
 Ability to supervise and manage volunteers.
 Ability to work with staff of other departments and outside professionals.
 Proven ability to establish and maintain strong lines of communication.
 Ability to operate safely a variety of hand tools, power equipment, and gas-powered equipment
(i.e. shears, blowers, chain saws, tractors, weed eaters, loaders, and trucks).
 Ability to obtain a Virginia pesticide applicator’s license.
 Ability to prepare and manage budgets
 Must be available to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.
 Ability to lift 50 lbs.
 Ability to work outdoors for long periods in various weather conditions.

This position is full-time, salaried, and classified as exempt. Compensation will be based on
qualifications. Performance will be evaluated based on the achievement of collaboratively determined
team and personal goals specific to the requirements of the position. To be personally fulfilled and
successful in this position, the Horticulturalist must value authenticity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and
civic engagement. The Horticulturalist should bring a positive attitude to their work and promote good
will and wellness within the organization. Finally, the Horticulturalist should be an enthusiastic and
willing learner, one that is committed to their own continual development and growth, and one who is
passionate about facilitating the success of their colleagues.

Additional benefits of employment at Gunston Hall include:
 Opportunities to enjoy 554 acres of recreational and environmental amenities along the
Potomac River.
 An organizational commitment to wellness and personal fulfillment.
 Access to comprehensive professional development programs.
 The ability to create flexible work experiences.
 The opportunity to collaborate with a creative team of individuals committed to the
organization, our mission, and to each other’s success.

The mission of Gunston Hall is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of the principles
expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. Accredited by the American
Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built from 1755-1759. The
almost 6000-acre plantation was the home of George and Ann
Mason, their children, and hundreds of enslaved people, indentured servants, wage workers, and tenant
farmers. Today, the site strives to tell the stories of these diverse people and how their stories
contribute to our greater American narrative. The physical plant includes the house called Gunston Hall;
five reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; an on-going
restoration of the 18th-century garden, and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the Potomac
River in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.
Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.

Minimum Qualifications

Progressive work experience either at a historic site or park or for a private company.

Sound knowledge of the philosophy and fundamental principles, theories, and best practices of horticulture and landscape management.

Ability to supervise and manage volunteers.

Ability to work with staff of other departments and outside professionals.

Proven ability to establish and maintain strong lines of communication.

Ability to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power equipment, and gas-powered equipment (i.e. shears, blowers, chain saws, tractors, weed eaters, loaders, and trucks).

Ability to obtain a Virginia pesticide applicator’s license.

Ability to prepare and manage budgets

Must be available to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.

Ability to work outdoors for long periods in various weather conditions.

Additional Considerations

Bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

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Contact Information

Name: Debbie Wyatt-Smith

Phone: 804-292-6414

Email: Debbie.wyattsmith@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.