Assistant Manager, Production Greenhouse

Job Description

This position is involved in all aspects of greenhouse plant production and assists in maintaining the production greenhouse and nursery area. Applies industry standard horticultural principles and techniques to ensure production of plants of highest quality for landscapes at Shangri La Gardens and other Stark Cultural Venues.

About Us

The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 1961 to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas.

The Stark Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of its founders through the programs of: The Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, and Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts, as well as the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation, a qualified scholarship program for public high school students in Orange County, Texas. Programming is designed to create, and build upon, an appreciation within the community for the fine arts, Stark family history, the performing arts, environmental stewardship, and public speaking.

These venues, programs and activities provide the community and region with rich resources and opportunities for study and enjoyment of the arts, history and nature.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

– Assists in propagating, nurturing, and growing a variety of plants, flowers, vegetables, trees, and other species including tropical, subtropical, and epiphytic plants for seasonal and permanent landscape displays and containers.
– Move, transplant, prune, and water plants, cuttings, and seedlings.
– Follow and maintain fertilization schedule, regularly inspect plants for insects, disease or weed problems, and apply appropriate pest control.
– Assists Production Greenhouse Supervisor with seed and liner procurement and scheduling.
– Source plants through existing vendors and identify new vendors for consideration
– Supervise Greenhouse Technicians Plans tasks and organizes greenhouse technicians for the general care and maintenance of the greenhouse plants.
– Provides training and support for Greenhouse Technicians with respect to sound horticultural practices.
– Work alongside, facilitate, and monitor the activities of volunteers
– Clean and maintain tools and equipment, employ proper greenhouse sanitation measures.
– Share information on horticultural topics by conducting in-house workshops and programs
– Work schedule includes weekend and holiday work on a rotational basis
– Other duties may be assigned

Leadership Responsibilities:

The Assistant Manager Production Greenhouse oversees the work of two members of the greenhouse team as well as volunteers. Other leadership responsibilities include training employees and volunteers, planning, assigning and directing work.

Expectations:

– Work duties are performed to maintain the highest quality production greenhouse space and plant material.
– Support Foundation’s goals and values; display passion and optimism; mobilize others to fulfill the vision; provide vision and inspiration to others.
– Provide courteous, professional, timely and accurate service and support to all visitors, vendors, volunteers and co-workers.
– Give and welcome feedback; contribute to building a positive team spirit, able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
– Work within approved budget limitations.
– Follow policies and procedures; maintain appropriate records, complete administrative tasks correctly and on time.
– Follow safe work procedures; ensure all employees follow safe work procedures; report potentially unsafe conditions; see that all equipment is maintained and functioning properly.
– Observe scheduled work hours.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelors degree in horticulture or related degree preferred

Experience

2 years related experience and/or training preferred in botanical garden, greenhouse or nursery; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Information

Interpersonal Skills

Must be a team player able to work comfortably and effectively in cross-functional teams and contribute to building a positive team spirit. Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and take direction.

Other Skills:

– Working knowledge of annuals, perennials, and woody plants
– Ability to operate various landscape equipment
– Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
– Written and verbal communication skills
– Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
– Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English as it relates to the duties and safety requirements of the position
– Valid driver’s license and good driving record
– Basic computer skills, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch and talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in the greenhouses and outside. These areas are commonly wet, humid, extremely hot or cold. Noise levels are generally quiet. Environment includes blooming plants, plant saps, fertilizers and other possible allergens. Tasks may require exposure to insects, snakes and/or rodents according to prevailing habitat conditions.

Application Instructions

Please submit your application via this link: https://recruiting.myapps.paychex.com/appone/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=7106725