Assistant Manager of Biomes

Job Description

Assistant Manager of Biomes

Position type: Full-time employment, average of 40 hours per week. Non-exempt under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Description: The Assistant Manager of the Tropical & Arid Biomes is responsible for performing all aspects of conservatory care and maintenance within the tropical and arid biomes of the Perry Conservatory, while serving as a technical expert, mentor, and supervisor for staff and volunteers. This position sets a high standard of horticultural excellence for diverse plant collections and supports the long-term health, conservation, and display of tropical, arid, and semi-arid species from around the world.

The ideal candidate will possess specialized knowledge of tropical and arid plant physiology, rainforest and arid soil systems, irrigation and moisture management, water-wise horticulture, pest and disease pressures unique to controlled environments, and greenhouse and conservatory operations. This position requires work in greenhouse and conservatory environments and obtaining a Virginia Registered Pesticide Applicator’s License within six (6) months of hire. Typical schedules include Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday. The schedule for this position may require some evening, weekend, and holiday work.

About Us

Norfolk Botanical Garden is Virginia’s largest botanical garden, spanning 175 acres of stunning plant collections and natural beauty. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the Garden can be explored by foot, by boat, or by tram, offering visitors a unique way to connect with nature through beauty, education, and conservation.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions:
• Serve as a primary horticultural leader for the tropical and arid biomes, responsible for care, presentation, long-range planning, and day-to-day workflow coordination.
• Supervise staff through ongoing oversight, guidance, and operational support to ensure effective performance and the maintenance of biome gardens to high horticultural standards, including irrigation, water-wise watering practices, pruning, mulching, fertilization, soil management, canopy and understory care, drainage management, soil top-dressing, and related techniques appropriate to tropical and arid collections.
• Manage personnel functions including interviewing, hiring, work assignments, employee development, annual performance evaluations, coaching, corrective action, and disciplinary procedures as needed.
• Train and mentor staff and volunteers in plant identification, advanced horticultural techniques, safety practices, and specialized equipment operation to support professional growth and operational effectiveness.
• Direct daily operational activities and staff assignments to ensure efficient workflow, continuity of operations, and effective leadership presence during supervisory coverage needs.
• Promote a collaborative team environment through ongoing communication, cross-training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that support staff development and operational flexibility across multiple biomes.
• Apply specialized knowledge of tropical and arid plant physiology, rainforest and arid soil systems, drainage, irrigation, humidity control, and water-wise horticulture to support long-term plant health and sustainability.
• Monitor and assist in managing temperature, humidity, airflow, ventilation, irrigation systems, and light levels to maintain optimal conservatory conditions for a diverse range of biome collections.
• Identify and assist in addressing pest, disease, and physiological issues common to tropical, arid, and other controlled-environment plant collections. Maintain accurate accession records, inventories, and plant labeling for biome collections.
• Recommend plant selections and assist with sourcing additions to the collections, including canopy trees, understory plants, epiphytes, cacti, succulents, and other specialty specimens as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Education, Visitor Services, and Development departments to support tours, classes, publications, special events, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Safely operate hand tools, small engine equipment, and heavy equipment as needed (training provided).
• Have a basic skill level for 2-cycle or electric horticultural equipment (training provided).
• Assist with special events and perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Functions:
• Must be able to safely operate a golf cart.
• Must be able to work indoors or outdoors for up to 8 hours, regardless of varying weather conditions such as heat, cold, or light rain.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. to carry equipment or supplies.
• Must be able to continuously walk, stand, bend, twist, and stoop.
• Must be capable of performing physically demanding activities, including pushing, pulling, and handling manual labor tasks for extended periods.
• Must have the ability to work inside greenhouse and conservatory environments with varying temperatures and humidity levels, as well as outdoors in heat, cold, and light rain as needed.
• Must be able to safely climb up and down ladders.
• Must be capable of operating heavy machinery and small power equipment safely and responsibly.

Education and Experience

Qualifications:
• Must be able to reliably commute to and from the Garden.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• At least one year of supervisory experience, strongly preferred.
• Must obtain a VA Registered Pesticide Applicator’s license within 6 months of hiring.
• Must have a basic working knowledge of botanical nomenclature.
• Associate’s degree in Horticulture or a related field and 2 years hands-on experience or Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture and one year of hands-on experience preferred.
• Experience with tropical, arid, xerophytic, or conservatory plant collections in a greenhouse or conservatory setting highly preferred, including experience with canopy trees, understory plants, epiphytes, cacti, and succulents.
• VNLA certification a plus.
• Availability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.

Additional Information

Reports to: Perry Conservatory Director

Supervises: Technician Staff, Interns, Assistants, and Volunteers

Note: This position is considered Alpha Personnel. The employee is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather situations once it is safe to do so.

Benefits:
• Health insurance including an HSA or copay option (NBG pays 70% of individual premium and 65% of dependent/family premium)
• 403(b) retirement plan with discretionary 4% match
• Company sponsored life-insurance coverage.
• Group rates on voluntary benefits such as dental, supplemental medical expense insurance, FSA, DCA, vision, STD, LTD, accident and critical illness.
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Staff discounts on programming & giftshop.
• NBG logo wear for work provided.
• EAP services for all employees.

Equal Employer Opportunity (EEO) statement: NBG is committed to the principles and ideals of equal employment opportunity. It is, and shall continue to be, the policy and practice throughout NBG to foster equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for applicants, employees, and volunteers without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, status as a veteran, or other protected status, if qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Application Instructions

Please click this link to apply!
https://rpo.paydaypayroll.net/RPO/Applicant/Posting.aspx?JobPostingID=a11b15d4-791c-48cf-b1be-72b6a9dd197a