Greenhouse Manager - Miller Nature Preserve

Lorain County Metropolitan Park District•Avon, OH

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Greenhouse Manager assists the park manager with planning, directing, and coordinating the operation, staff, maintenance, and associated programs for plant collections within Miller Nature Preserve’s Conservatory (5,000 square foot glass house display) as well as the outdoor gardens. Performs various activities associated with the care, maintenance, development, and operation of the greenhouse, public gardens, nature preserve, buildings, and grounds. Oversees plant health care programs (including IPM) in coordination with the park manager. Researches, develops, and shares plant knowledge, including identification and cultural care requirements. Collects and maintains records of information related to plant accessions, removals, transfers, labeling, and signage, ensuring accuracy and quality control. Through regular assessment, identify and report on plant pest or illness concerns, determine and employ the best troubleshooting strategy to resolve issues promptly. Maintains plant care records and statistics for analysis and planning purposes, and keeps spray application records, introduction of beneficials log, animal care, and other records. Performs various greenhouse and gardening tasks associated with the care and maintenance of the greenhouse collections and outdoor plantings, including potting, repotting, watering, fertilizing, bed preparation, and layout. Plants, transplants, and maintain plantings of outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruits, etc. Trims and pruning of trees and hedges. Inspects and diagnoses insects, diseases, and physiological and other disorders, and utilizes fertilizers, pesticides, and cultural and biological methods to correct and control. Responsible for the operation of the Conservatory’s climate control system, managing settings to ensure daily optimal growing conditions, including temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation are provided. Collaborates with the park manager to manage an inventory of tools, equipment, and supplies (i.e., fertilizer proportioners, sprayers, heating, ventilating, shading equipment, etc.), including ordering and delivery, while adhering to budgetary guidelines. Operates irrigation systems, mowers, edgers, blowers, rototillers, snow blowers, chainsaws, power, mechanical, and hand tools, and other equipment. Plans and constructs walls, fences, trellises, garden pools, etc. Installs, services, and repairs irrigation lines and valves, heaters, vents, fans, etc. Performs other greenhouse, grounds, and park maintenance duties. Repairs and maintains equipment, vehicles, and buildings. Performs janitorial duties. Ensures proper use, care, and safety of equipment and compliance with state and federal regulations related to pesticide application, storage, disposal, and PPE use. Identify, address, and report on horticultural, operational, or safety concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Coordinates with the park manager, education staff, and others on the design, installation, and removal of seasonal displays, exhibits, and permanent installations, including projects that impact the guest experience. Plans greenhouse displays, drafts landscape ideas, designs, maps, and irrigation layouts, and implements indoor and outdoor planting plans. Prepares and presents public programs and demonstrations; conducts greenhouse and ground tours. Collects tour and program fees where applicable and processes related receipts and paperwork. Attends meetings and public speaking engagements as a Park District representative. Supports marketing and electronic media initiatives by developing content, highlighting plant collections, and participating in public outreach and media interviews. May write articles for in-house publications, newspapers, etc. Performs various administrative duties (e.g., prepares requisitions, monitors expenditures, assists with preparing the budget, maintains plant accession and performance records, etc.). May assist with interviews and evaluations of staff, interns, and volunteers. Supervises the activity of staff, interns, and volunteers (e.g., schedule, assign work, motivate, evaluate performance, and resolve conflicts). Leads the interior conservatory volunteer program in partnership with the park manager, including assessing needs, onboarding, training, mentoring, and supporting volunteers in horticultural practices. Assists the park manager in leading the outdoor plant care volunteer program, Lead Gardener, and other staff in maintaining outdoor gardens. Trains volunteers and employees in proper operational procedures, park policies, rules, regulations, equipment usage, and safety practices. Assists the park manager with evaluating the effectiveness of operations and maintenance and suggests adjustments (e.g., new procedures, timeframes, and reports). Participates in the Park District safety program. Assists with park opening, closing, and patrolling; cleans and maintains the facility and grounds. Assists Park Manager as needed and performs other duties as assigned while maintaining a strong focus on visitor experience and customer service.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree in horticulture, plant science, greenhouse management, or any closely related field, or equivalent combination of professional experience and training.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in horticulture, conservatory, or greenhouse operations, preferably within a public garden, botanical garden, museum, zoo, or similar visitor-focused institution.
Experience in supervision of staff and volunteers with a strong emphasis on staff training, mentorship, and team development.
Excellent customer service and public relations skills.
Proficiency in the use of basic computer software, including Microsoft and Google for standard office applications.
Experience managing and caring for diverse living plant collections, including tropical or controlled environment collections.
Ability to develop, implement, and communicate effective plant maintenance and care strategies that support high standards of plant health and presentation.
Proven knowledge of plant health care practices, including integrated pest management, fertilization, pruning, and disease identification.
Hands-on experience with conservatory or greenhouse climate control systems, including temperature, humidity, lighting, and ventilation.
Experience with project planning, scheduling, and coordination across departments, including collaboration with production of greenhouses, facilities, and operations teams.
Experience in developing and implementing watering and plant care schedules, developing special events, purchasing, and bookkeeping/point of sale use.
Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Physical ability to frequently lift, carry, or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability and willingness to perform hands-on horticultural work in a variety of environmental conditions, including indoor and outdoor settings with exposure to heat, humidity, cold, wind, and rain.
Commitment to supporting and advancing the mission, values, and public-facing goals of Lorain County Metro Parks.
Must possess a valid Ohio driver’s license.
New employees must complete a background check.
Lorain County Metropolitan Park District policy prohibits hiring new employees who use tobacco.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the Argus climate control system and plant collections database system is a plus.
Experience with maintenance and repair of cold fog equipment (humidity control) and a baseline understanding of boiler operations is also a plus.
Must be willing to acquire an Ohio Certified Pesticide Applicator’s License.

Responsibilities

Oversees plant health care programs (including IPM) in coordination with the park manager.
Researches, develops, and shares plant knowledge, including identification and cultural care requirements.
Collects and maintains records of information related to plant accessions, removals, transfers, labeling, and signage, ensuring accuracy and quality control.
Identifies and reports on plant pest or illness concerns, determines and employs the best troubleshooting strategy to resolve issues promptly.
Maintains plant care records and statistics for analysis and planning purposes, and keeps spray application records, introduction of beneficials log, animal care, and other records.
Performs various greenhouse and gardening tasks associated with the care and maintenance of the greenhouse collections and outdoor plantings, including potting, repotting, watering, fertilizing, bed preparation, and layout.
Plants, transplants, and maintains plantings of outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruits, etc.
Trims and prunes trees and hedges.
Inspects and diagnoses insects, diseases, and physiological and other disorders, and utilizes fertilizers, pesticides, and cultural and biological methods to correct and control.
Responsible for the operation of the Conservatory’s climate control system, managing settings to ensure daily optimal growing conditions, including temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation are provided.
Collaborates with the park manager to manage an inventory of tools, equipment, and supplies, including ordering and delivery, while adhering to budgetary guidelines.
Operates irrigation systems, mowers, edgers, blowers, rototillers, snow blowers, chainsaws, power, mechanical, and hand tools, and other equipment.
Plans and constructs walls, fences, trellises, garden pools, etc.
Installs, services, and repairs irrigation lines and valves, heaters, vents, fans, etc.
Performs other greenhouse, grounds, and park maintenance duties.
Repairs and maintains equipment, vehicles, and buildings.
Performs janitorial duties.
Ensures proper use, care, and safety of equipment and compliance with state and federal regulations related to pesticide application, storage, disposal, and PPE use.
Identifies, addresses, and reports on horticultural, operational, or safety concerns in a timely and appropriate manner.
Coordinates with the park manager, education staff, and others on the design, installation, and removal of seasonal displays, exhibits, and permanent installations, including projects that impact the guest experience.
Plans greenhouse displays, drafts landscape ideas, designs, maps, and irrigation layouts, and implements indoor and outdoor planting plans.
Prepares and presents public programs and demonstrations; conducts greenhouse and ground tours.
Collects tour and program fees where applicable and processes related receipts and paperwork.
Attends meetings and public speaking engagements as a Park District representative.
Supports marketing and electronic media initiatives by developing content, highlighting plant collections, and participating in public outreach and media interviews.
May write articles for in-house publications, newspapers, etc.
Performs various administrative duties (e.g., prepares requisitions, monitors expenditures, assists with preparing the budget, maintains plant accession and performance records, etc.).
May assist with interviews and evaluations of staff, interns, and volunteers.
Supervises the activity of staff, interns, and volunteers (e.g., schedule, assign work, motivate, evaluate performance, and resolve conflicts).
Leads the interior conservatory volunteer program in partnership with the park manager, including assessing needs, onboarding, training, mentoring, and supporting volunteers in horticultural practices.
Assists the park manager in leading the outdoor plant care volunteer program, Lead Gardener, and other staff in maintaining outdoor gardens.
Trains volunteers and employees in proper operational procedures, park policies, rules, regulations, equipment usage, and safety practices.
Assists the park manager with evaluating the effectiveness of operations and maintenance and suggests adjustments (e.g., new procedures, timeframes, and reports).
Participates in the Park District safety program.
Assists with park opening, closing, and patrolling; cleans and maintains the facility and grounds.
Assists Park Manager as needed and performs other duties as assigned while maintaining a strong focus on visitor experience and customer service.