Director of Horticulture and Facilities

PositionDirector of Horticulture and FacilitiesDepartment: Horticulture and Garden OperationsStatusReport To: Full-Time, ExemptCEOJob DescriptionIn support of our mission, the Director of Horticulture and Facilities will provide key leadership in guiding DescansoGardens through an ongoing period of growth and change. The Director of Horticulture and Facilities is responsible forthe direct management of all operations of the physical gardens - horticulture, collections management, landscapedesign, maintenance, and infrastructure and facilities repairs. This position helps to create and maintain an engaging andexciting living museum through the Gardens' extensive and diverse horticulture collection and seasonal exhibits.

Reporting to the CEO and working closely with senior management and the Board of Trustees, the Director ofHorticulture and Facilities contributes to the strategic planning, long range planning, and maintenance of the gardens inorder to achieve a beautiful, nuanced, resonant, and richly rewarding garden for the public to enjoy, and forphilanthropic funders to enthusiastically support. As a key public face of Descanso Gardens, the Director will buildrelationships both internally and externally to advance the growth of the gardens. JOB CLASSIFICATIONThis is a key full-time, exempt position. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

LeadershipServe on Gardens' leadership team; participate in long range and strategic planning. Integrating Horticulture and Facilities department into operations, mission, goal, and objectives of entire GardenLead the curation and development of Descanso's living collections, ensuring alignment with ornamental,educational, and program goals. Work together with the Board of Directors and its committees, donors, volunteers, members, and community atlarge to represent the horticulture, conservation programs and the Master Plan.

Collaborate with Advancement to support fundraising and stewardship initiatives related to horticulturalobjectives, and with Marketing, to share the Gardens' accomplishments and aspirationsCollaborate with Education to support programs for schools, public, volunteers, members, and partners.

Pursue leadership development and professional advancement locally and nationallyProvide vision and embrace the mission and culture of the Gardens as it relates to all aspects of our operationsCreate departmental annual plans in line with institutional key strategic prioritiesManagementProviding direction and management of gardens, grounds, natural areas, buildings, nursery operations,mechanical shop, irrigation, water bodies, hardscape, arboriculture work, and integrated pest management planTraining, development, and performance evaluation for 10 full time staffDevelopment and management of a Horticultural, Facilities and Maintenance BudgetManaging contractors and outsourced horticulture related servicesManage contractors and outside vendors as it relates to large scale projectsEstablish annual budget, authorize department expenditures, manage assigned budgets, and provide periodicreports to CEO and Chief Operations and Administration Officer.

Direct Horticulture and Facilities team in establishing projects and priorities; formulate, design, plan, and overseethe project progress and budgetEstablish and implement aesthetic and horticultural standards to maintain and enhance the gardens and groundsusing best practicesResearch and understand the history and design of the Gardens, maintain records and files of grounds andhorticulture related activitiesFrom time to time, review and collaborate on grant funding requests and ensure appropriate spending andreporting of grant fundsQualifications And RequirementsTen years' experience in horticulture and arboriculture practices and management is requiredUnderstanding of garden design, color theory, horticultural practices, landscape maintenance, public gardenoperations and functionExperience working with independent contractorsExcellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including effective presentation,negotiation, and problem-solving skillsSelf-starter, creative, persuasive, and goal-orientedOrganized and detail-orientedAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and across departmentsAbility to work independently and lead team members effectivelyAbility to collaborate across departments and provide leadership and support as required on special eventsAbility to work a flexible schedule and under deadline pressureCOMPENSATION:

$100,000-$120,000/year, based on experienceEQUIPMENT USED AND PHYSICAL DEMANDSThis position requires a working knowledge of a full range of industry-related equipment and service vehicles, bothmanual and machine operated, as well as basic office equipment and computer software. This includes, but is not limitedto, operation of manual and gas-powered gardening tools, irrigation systems, string trimmer, mower, gas blower, gashedger, spray tank, rototiller, manual bypass pruners, loppers, hand saw, pole saw, pole pruner, trowels, shovels,pitchforks, rakes, computer, printer, photocopier, and calculator.

This is an outdoor position that requires working in various weather conditions, including working in the sun and, attimes, extreme heat. This position requires the ability to carry out daily physical work and to lift and carry up to 50pounds. This position occasionally requires heavy lifting, but not routinely. It also requires the ability to walk, climb,kneel, bend, stoop, sit, crouch, operate service vehicles, climb ladders, carry and operate standard gardening equipmentintermittently throughout the day, and to work in an outdoor environment in various weather conditions for an extendedperiod.

Wading in and working with water may also be required. TO APPLY: Interested parties may apply by submitting a MS Word or PDF Letter of Interest and Resume tojobs@descansogardens. org with DHF2505 in the subject line. Only those meeting the minimum requirements andsubmitting all required information may be contacted for further inquiry. We will accept Letters of Interest and Resumesuntil the position is filled. No phone calls, please. Descanso Gardens Guild Inc. acknowledges that equal opportunity for all people is a fundamental human value.

Eachemployee will be considered on the basis of individual ability and merit, without regard to race, color, age, religion,national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.