Horticulturist – Green Burial Areas

Job Description

Laurel Hill, a 265-acre historic cemetery and arboretum spanning both sides of the Schuylkill River (referred to below as Laurel Hill East and Laurel Hill West), has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Horticulturist. Reporting to the Arboretum Director, the Horticulturist will be responsible for providing active oversight of all Green Burial garden areas and landscape features at Laurel Hill. This position will be responsible for maintaining these areas to a high standard of horticulture and assisting with the improvement, preservation and curation of the Living Collection. This position will also be responsible for periodically overseeing staff and/or volunteers on work in green burial areas and assisting with horticultural programming and outreach. This is a full-time position with a commitment of forty hours per week plus occasional weekend and overtime hours as requested and approved by a supervisor.

About Us

Laurel Hill East, founded in 1836, is located in Philadelphia and is a 78-acre National Historic Landmark. Laurel Hill West, 187-acres located in Bala Cynwyd, was founded in 1869 and is the location of the Laurel Hill Funeral Home. Both properties are active burial sites and form a single accredited arboretum. Laurel Hill has exceptional educational and community resources, and unique recreational spaces while being committed to landscape stewardship that embraces its historic context while using modern sustainable best practices. The Friends of Laurel Hill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the visual and historic character of both cemeteries through progressive interpretation, education and fundraising.

Laurel Hill has three unique Green Burial Areas that are stewarded using sustainable methodology and feature native forbs, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees: Nature’s Sanctuary at Laurel Hill West is stewarded as a native successional landscape and has received the prestigious SITES Gold-level certification; Bala Green at Laurel Hill West features native perennial and annual plantings punctuated by small tree features and surrounded by a native tree and shrub border; Valley View Green at Laurel Hill East features native grasses and forbs with a mixed native plant border.
Essential

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

1. Meet regularly with Arboretum Director to determine work assignments, plan and coordinate projects, personnel and contractor needs, garden design and budgetary requirements.

2. Maintain gardens, shrubs, and small trees in Green Burial areas to a high degree of aesthetic quality; manage watering, weeding, and planting needs; design garden renovations and improvements as needed; inspect area regularly for maintenance needs including weeds, pest and disease concerns.

3. Maintain fencelines and paths in Green Burial Areas free of weeds, vines, and debris.

4. Use Horticultural Best Management Practices to manage plant and soil health; use Integrated Pest Management to manage pests and disease

5.Practice and implement sustainable land stewardship practices in keeping with the Green Burial Stewardship Manual and Laurel Hill’s commitment to sustainability.

6.Work with the Arboretum Director to keep Living Collection inventory and curation in Green Burial areas fully up to date using inventory software in the field.

7.Oversee arboretum staff and volunteers as needed during group workdays for general maintenance of garden areas.

8.Represent and display Green Burial Areas to the public through public and private tours, programs, workshops, and lectures as requested.

9.Coordinate with Cemetery Operations, Family Services and Funeral Services on all operational and training needs related to stewardship of green burial areas.

10.Assist Arboretum Director and staff horticulturists in all other Arboretum duties and responsibilities as needed.

Education and Experience

Qualifications:

•A valid driver’s license and dependable transportation
•Knowledge of native plants and cultivated taxa, and horticultural Best Management Practices
•Knowledge and experience in a variety of hand- and power-tools and machinery
•Strong work ethic, time management, and communication skills
•The ability to work independently and as part of a team outdoors, under direction from supervisors and/or in a supervisory role
•Physical ability to lift at least 60 lbs. and work in all weather conditions including rain, snow, and extreme heat or cold
•Willingness to learn all aspects of public horticulture, living collection management, landscape stewardship and cemetery operations.
•A bachelor’s degree in Arboriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Environmental Studies, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience preferred.
•5+ years experience in public gardens or private horticulture preferred.
•Experience supervising volunteers and interns preferred.

Additional Information

We offer an excellent compensation package starting at $27/hr and including full benefits.

Laurel Hill is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.

Application Instructions

Submit your résumé and cover letter to Arboretum Director Aaron Greenberg at agreenberg@laurelhillphl.com