Landscape Horticulture Assistant Manager

Give Kids The World Village • Kissimmee, FL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Landscape Horticulture Assistant Manager oversees the Village’s landscape and horticultural environments to support safety, beauty, accessibility, and the magical guest experience. This role is responsible for plant health, turf, trees, palms, irrigation support, seasonal color, landscape refreshes, and daily grounds readiness across the property. The Landscape Horticulture Assistant Manager identifies practical opportunities to elevate the look and feel of the Village through thoughtful plant selections, improved maintenance practices, volunteer-supported projects, and landscape enhancements. This role partners closely with Engineering, Facilities, Special Events, Volunteer Services, outside landscape partners, nurseries, and green industry contacts to support projects, secure donated plants and landscape products, and coordinate specialized horticultural services. Because the Village serves children with critical illnesses and their families, this position must approach all work with a strong focus on safety, accessibility, chemical awareness, and creating a welcoming environment that feels cared for in every area of the property.

Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of Central Florida plant material, including turf, ornamentals, palms, tropicals, seasonal landscape needs, and Florida Friendly Landscape principles.
• Ability to identify plant health concerns, pest problems, irrigation issues, safety concerns, and general landscape deficiencies, and recommend practical corrective action.
• Working knowledge of irrigation systems, including controllers, valves, zones, sensors, and drip irrigation, with the ability to troubleshoot basic issues and coordinate repairs when needed.
• Ability to lead hands-on landscape work, organize daily priorities, and support small landscape improvement projects from planning through completion
• Knowledge of safe fertilizer and landscape chemical handling, storage, labeling, and application practices, especially in guest-facing areas.
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Florida Pesticide Applicator License, Ornamental & Turf or other required category, within six months of hire if not already licensed.
• Proficiency with common landscape tools and equipment, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, edgers, chainsaws, utility carts, and hand tools.
• Working knowledge of landscape design concepts, planting plans, seasonal color planning, or basic layout tools.
• Computer skills, including the ability to use work order systems, email, web-based tools, and digital resources for research, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, follow-through, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to guide volunteers, community groups, and staff in a clear, safe, and welcoming manner during landscape and beautification projects.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write English in order to successfully communicate with families, guests, volunteers, partners, and staff.
• Ability to safely operate Village vehicles, including battery-operated carts.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Must meet acceptable attendance and punctuality requirements, which are essential functions for the position.
• High School Diploma
• At least 5 years of experience in horticulture, landscape maintenance, grounds care, nursery operations, landscape installation, or a closely related field.
• Experience building relationships with nurseries, landscape contractors, horticulture professionals, vendors, donors, sponsors, or community partners.
• Experience coordinating donated materials, sponsorship support, or community-based resources for landscape or beautification projects.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or Bachelor Degree, certificate, or formal training in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Turf Management, Environmental Horticulture, or a related field.
• Experience supporting landscape renovation, beautification, donor-funded enhancements, public-facing grounds improvements, or sponsor-supported projects.
• Experience in hospitality, attraction, nonprofit, healthcare-adjacent, school, public garden, resort, or other guest-facing environment.
• Experience leading volunteers, garden clubs, community groups, civic groups, or service projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the maintenance of the health, appearance, and seasonal color of all landscape beds, turf, trees, palms, and container plantings across the Village.
• Diagnose plant health issues, including disease, pests, and nutrient deficiencies, and implement corrective treatments.
• Support an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that prioritizes low-toxicity methods appropriate for an environment serving medically fragile children.
• Handle fertilizers and landscape chemicals safely and in accordance with label requirements, Florida regulations, and Village safety protocols; obtain required pesticide licensing within the established timeframe as needed.
• Use Florida Friendly Landscape principles where appropriate.
• Monitor soil health, conduct testing, and adjust amendment and fertilization programs accordingly.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and program irrigation systems including controllers, valves, zones, backflow devices, sensors, and drip lines.
• Perform scheduled inspections and preventative maintenance on irrigation, drainage, and other landscape systems.
• Monitor water usage and adjust schedules seasonally to meet conservation goals and Water Management District restrictions.
• Inspect hardscape, pathways, and planting areas for trip hazards, sight-line obstructions, and ADA accessibility concerns; correct or escalate as needed.
• Maintain landscape equipment, tools, and chemical storage areas in safe, compliant working condition.
• Use the ticket management system, Nuvola, to complete daily assignments and ensure all work is properly documented.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve and refresh landscape areas throughout the Village, including plant replacement, seasonal color, bed definition, visibility, safety, guest arrival experience, and overall curb appeal.
• Provide practical input on plant selection, placement, installation approach, and long-term maintenance needs for renovations, donor-supported enhancements, and new landscape projects.
• Lead and support volunteer landscape projects by preparing work areas, organizing tasks, providing clear direction, and ensuring work is completed safely and to Village standards.
• Partner with Volunteer Services to help build, coordinate, and sustain a volunteer team focused on ongoing beautification, seasonal planting, bed maintenance, and special landscape projects.
• Build relationships with nurseries, landscape contractors, horticulture professionals, civic groups, and industry partners to bring ideas, expertise, donated materials, volunteer support, resources, and best practices to the Village.
• Inspect contractor and volunteer work for quality, safety, and alignment with the Village's guest experience standards.
• Maintain current partner and donor contact information and send timely thank-you notes for donated materials, volunteer support, and pro bono services.
• Prepare and manage the annual landscape budget, track spending, and support budget planning for ongoing maintenance and landscape enhancements.
• Estimate the cost, materials, labor, and ongoing maintenance needs for proposed landscape enhancements.
• Negotiate, coordinate, and manage landscape contracts to ensure quality, safety, budget alignment, and completion to Village standards.
• Maintain documentation of volunteer hours, pro bono services, and donations associated with landscape operations.
• All other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Ability to work evenings and weekends, holidays and extended hours both on and off property.
• Ability to work outside for extended periods in varied outdoor conditions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED