Title: Horticulturist (00004)
State Role Title: Trades Manager I
Hiring Range: $55,000 - 65,000
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Gunston Hall
Location: LORTON CSC
Agency Website: https://gunstonhall.org
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 garden 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.
The horticulturist is a full-time, exempt-status position working within Operations under the direct supervision of the Director of Facilities and Operation.
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:
• 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.
• Coordinate and work with the part-time Gardener
• Working with our landscape contractor who assists in maintaining the garden.
• Work with and direct 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 Director of Facilities and Operations 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.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of shrub and small tree care.
• 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).
• Virginia pesticide applicator’s license preferred.
• 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 Horticulturist must value authenticity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and civic engagement. The Horticulturist should bring a positive attitude to their work and promote good will and wellness within the organization. Finally, the Horticulturist 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 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.
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.
State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number of the fax cover sheet. A criminal background investigation and reference check prior to employment is required for the successful candidate.
Contact Information
Name: Debbie Howe
Phone: 804-292-6497
Email: deborah.howe@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.