Within the Horticulture Department of the Cultural and Environmental Resources Division, under the supervision of the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance, the Horticulture Display Foreman is responsible for the design and care of seasonal plant displays throughout the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. The Foreman maintains assigned garden areas to the professional horticulture standards as approved by the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance and Manager of Horticulture. Designs the seasonal displays for the All-American garden beds and other assigned areas in coordination with the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance. Assists with designs of permanent gardens in coordination with the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance. Diagnoses and treats plant health issues. Assists in supervising the staff in the maintenance of annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, tropical plants, and trees in accordance with the horticultural standards established by the Morris County Park Commission and the Manager of Horticulture. Implements maintenance practices as directed by the Superintendent and Manager of Horticulture as directed. Working with the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance, this position assists staff and volunteers where needed with horticultural tasks and monitors the quality of work, providing instruction, guidance, and corrections as required.

This position is at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ, which is part of the Morris County Park Commission. The Morris County park system is the largest county park system in the state of New Jersey. The park commission stewards over 20,520 acres of parkland (20,421 publicly accessible acres), including 39 facilities: historic sites, golf courses, outdoor educational and recreational facilities, arboreta, conservation areas, over 265 miles of trails, and an ice-skating arena. More than 5.4 million visit our parks each year.

Applies pesticides and fertilizers and maintains associated application records as required. Reports changes to the accessioned plant collections to the horticultural plant records curator including additions, removals, and deaths. Performs periodic plant inventories. Requests accession tags and display labels and is responsible for accurate and timely placement of such. Maintains proper records for inventory management of tools, pesticides vehicles and other equipment. Coordinates snow removal activities and schedules employees as required in coordination with the superintendent. Actively participates in snow removal with the staff, throughout the duration of the snow event. Assists the Superintendent of Horticulture Maintenance and staff with the culture of plant material, including planting, transplanting, pest control, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, and other operations inherent in the successful establishment of new plantings and the maintenance of existing plantings and garden areas. Establishes, maintains, and renovates lawn and turf areas throughout the park, with proper soil preparation, grading, seeding, sodding, liming, fertilization, irrigation, aeration, pest control, and other operations inherent in the successful cultivation of lawn and turf areas. Prunes and trims trees and shrubs from the ground and chips brush in the assigned garden areas. Assists staff with pruning in other garden areas as requested. Maintains the equipment that is necessary to fulfill all pruning functions. Submits a list of needed equipment and supplies for each fiscal year to the Superintendent of Horticulture. Successfully performs the above functions and uses said equipment independently without supervision. Other Functions: Maintains appropriate and accurate records. Operates Park Commission motor vehicles to transport personnel, materials, and equipment on Park Commission property and public roadways. Interacts and answers visitor questions. Assists with carrying out standard operational procedures as required, including, but not limited to, working overtime for snow removal, events, and other assignments. Assists with educational programming by leading/participating in tours, and/or educational programs, including the coordination of supplies and plant materials, as required. Cleans and sharpens tools. Makes minor repairs to equipment. Paints equipment, buildings, and other park structures when necessary. Ensures that established safety guidelines are followed and that the facility complies with PEOSH and Right-To-Know standards. Implements regulatory and Park Commission policies and procedures in the operation of the facility. Completes other projects and tasks as assigned. Maintains appropriate and accurate records. Operates Park Commission motor vehicles to transport personnel, materials, and equipment on Park Commission property and public roadways. Interacts and answers visitor questions. Assists with carrying out standard operational procedures as required, including, but not limited to, working overtime for snow removal, events, and other assignments. Assists with educational programming by leading/participating in tours, and/or educational programs, including the coordination of supplies and plant materials, as required. Cleans and sharpens tools. Makes minor repairs to equipment. Paints equipment, buildings, and other park structures when necessary. Ensures that established safety guidelines are followed and that the facility complies with PEOSH and Right-To-Know standards. Implements regulatory and Park Commission policies and procedures in the operation of the facility. Completes other projects and tasks as assigned.

A minimum of a two-year associate’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Design, or a related field. Three years’ experience as a professional gardener, groundskeeper or landscape designer. One year’s experience supervising gardening staff or volunteers in a public garden, landscape contracting, or related horticultural industry. A thorough knowledge of the cultural requirements of a wide variety of herbaceous and woody landscape plants, including tropicals, annuals, vines, and ornamental grasses. A thorough understanding of designing plantings for containers and container culture. Demonstrated mastery of the horticultural practices and procedures required for tasks such as soil preparation, planting and transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, mowing, raking, sweeping and blowing, tree and brush cutting, and chipping. The ability to design attractive and interesting seasonal plantings and containers. The ability to identify and prioritize work tasks and supervise staff. The ability to meet assigned deadlines. The ability to use common landscape and garden tools. The strength, coordination, and dexterity to safely perform the above functions. The ability to perform basic math calculations. Possession of a valid New Jersey driver’s license. The ability to maintain an attendance record adequate to complete essential functions of the position. A valid Pesticide Operator/Applicator Registration from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection or the ability to obtain the license within 1 year of hiring.

Applicant must pass the Horticulture Display Foreman test (Written and Plant ID) to be eligible for this position. The ability to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Majority of time is spent working outdoors in all weather conditions. Regular travel to and from work sites required. Occasionally must work with chemicals, around extreme noise and/or vibration. Occasionally must lift and carry weights up to 50 pounds, including moderately heavy objects, materials, tools and equipment. Required to operate landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment including but not limited to power mowers, chain saws, riding and backpack blowers, string trimmers, snow plows, chippers, trailers, and tractors after receiving training on said equipment. Spends considerable time standing, sitting, walking, driving, kneeling, stooping crouching, squatting, climbing ladders, crawling and twisting of upper body.

Incumbent may delegate to subordinate part of the responsibility, but may not delegate nor relinquish accountability for results. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Comprehensive benefits package that provides enrollment in NJ State Pension System and offers medical, dental, discount vision plan, 457(b) plan, sick, vacation and paid holidays.

Please complete the job application at morrisparks.net/about/jobs/ then attach it to an e-mail addressed to the Human Resources Department at mcpcemploy@morrisparks.net and indicate the position to which you are applying. Please submit applications in the “Print-Friendly View” Format ONLY. You are welcome to attach your resume and cover letter to your submission. No phone calls please.

You will be contacted by the Hiring Manager if your credentials meet the requirements of the position.

The Morris County Park Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

If you have any questions about this position, please email Kristin Prommel at kprommel@morrisparks.net.