Conservatory Senior Gardener

City of Seattle•Various - Seattle area, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. We are committed to the City's Core Values of equity, inclusion, learning, accountability, and stewardship. Equity & Inclusion: Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities. Our Commitment: SPR commits to Our City Values, Workplace Expectations , and Racial Equity and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement. About the Volunteer Park Conservatory : The Volunteer Park Conservatory is a historic, Victorian-style greenhouse and botanical garden, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood. Inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, the conservatory covers 6,800 sq ft and is divided into five distinct display houses. The central Palm House includes orchid displays, cactus and succulent rooms, ferns, bromeliads, and a seasonal display area. Today, the conservatory serves as a living botanical museum showcasing subtropical and tropical environments while serving as an educational space and cultural hub, blending horticultural displays with art, science, and culture. The Conservatory hosts exhibits and horticultural events, tours, classes, community events, and educational programs. About this Position The Senior Gardner position reports to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and supports the care and maintenance of permanent living collection for five-house Conservatory displays. The responsibilities of the position also involve the design and plant selection for the seasonal display beds and the surrounding area around the Conservatory, and plant propagation. This position reports to the Conservatory education program supervisor under the direction of the Horticulture and Specialty Gardens Manager.

Requirements

Three years work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).
Washington Public Pesticide operator's license required after appointment.
Current Washington State driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of biological sciences, horticulture and gardening, as well related interpretive program and development principles.
Degree or certification in horticulture, environmental science or a related field (or a combination of education or training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Three (3) years of conservatory and/or greenhouse horticultural experience, including experience in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practice.
Knowledge of City, State, and Federal rules and regulations governing the safe operation of greenhouses and Conservatory facility.
Two (2) year plant propagation experience for ornamental flowering plants.
Experience with Greenhouse or Conservatory maintenance and operation, including site improvements and renovation.
Demonstrated experience training, mentoring and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

Plans, leads, assigns, and directs the work activities of gardeners in Conservatory team engaged in various aspects of indoor plant maintenance, Conservatory museum-like design and public displays, site management.
Performs plant propagation and care of seasonal house plants; cares and maintains subtropical and/or tropical plants in Permanent living collection.
Develops, makes recommendations and/or implements the plant list for annual propagation plan
Supports site landscape maintenance, facility and Green house repairs, restoration and capital improvements
Directs the implementation of landscape designs from blueprints and plans.
Leads the work of a major horticultural unit such as several greenhouses, and conservatory.
Trains the team gardeners, seasonals and volunteers.
Operates motor vehicle to, between, and from work locations.
Makes recommendations for ordering new materials, maintains time, pesticide control, and other related records, and prepare required reports
Assists in the preparation and justification of annual budget information.
Maintains records on all expenditures.
Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned and duties of Laborer as needed.