The Manager of Horticulture oversees, coordinates, and supervises the execution of both in-house and contracted horticultural activities related to the Morris County Park Commission’s 4 facilities within the Horticulture Department, which include Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum, Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, and Elizabeth Kay Environmental Center.

Reporting to the Director of Historic and Interpretive Sites, the Manager leads the Horticulture Maintenance and Education staff to deliver sustainable high-quality grounds management, interpretive programming and special events.  The Manager provides technical horticultural expertise, develops staff, and advances continuous improvement across the department.

This is an active, hands-on leadership position that requires regular work throughout the gardens and grounds, including the operation of equipment, transportation of materials, programming, and work in varying weather conditions.

The Morris County Park Commission 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.

Primary responsibilities of the Manager of Horticulture Include:
• Manage assigned horticulture staff to enhance the aesthetic, cultural, historical, educational and
programmatic aspects (both active and passive), of the recreational, natural and historical landscapes
under the jurisdiction of the Morris County Park Commission. Fosters mutual cooperation between
Horticultural Education and Horticultural Maintenance staff to meet goals and objectives of both
groups.
• Monitors the performance of staff at the Superintendent level and below to ensure that appropriate
horticultural, programmatic, and maintenance standards are achieved and maintained; completes
performance evaluations of supervisory staff as required.
• Assists subordinate personnel in developing routine and seasonal horticultural and general
maintenance protocols. Trains appropriate staff in proper horticulture techniques and procedures.
• Develops and implements programs to enhance the job performance capabilities of subordinate
personnel. Develops, supervises, and nurtures a progressive Horticultural Intern Program.
• Oversees horticultural projects, garden renovations, programs, maintenance and related activities,
while providing guidance, vision, and decision making to site Superintendents on the identified goals
and objectives for the evolution of the facilities, the staff and programmatic (including educational,
deer, insect, storm, technology, etc.) development.
• Coordinates plant and garden curation including but not limited to inspections of plants, collections,
and gardens to ensure cultural maintenance; prepares lists of plant maintenance needs; guides staff
in planning new plantings of trees, shrubs, bulbs, gardens, annual bedding plant displays, and
container plantings; provides technical advice to subordinate personnel as well as management and
supervisory personnel within other areas of the park system.
• Coordinates the Plant Records Management Program as described in the Commission Plant Accession
Policy; including plant label and sign engraving operation for horticulture facilities and the Park
Commission in general.
• Coordinates the plant propagation and distribution programs including overall responsibility for plant
propagation, nursery and greenhouse facilities, and Index Seminum seed exchange program.
• Assists with applied research projects and supervises a plant evaluation program.
• Oversees, assists with, and participates in presenting Horticultural educational programs and special
events for the Park Commission as required.
• Evaluates the cost effectiveness and efficiency of horticultural operations and identifies outsourcing,
public and private partnerships, volunteer and other cost-effective efficient uses of available
resources to increase the effectiveness of the Department.
• Participates in the preparation of the Operating, Capital, Park Improvement Trust budgets and annual
Fee Schedules. Monitors expenditures to ensure spending is within approved funding.
• Prepares/solicits/reviews planting designs, plans and specifications for in-house or contracted
landscape and garden installations and projects (infrastructure, landscape/hardscape and facilities)
and other plans, specifications and designs for in-house or contracted services as required.
• Secures, manages and supervises outside contractors and vendors as well as in-County resources for
arboreta maintenance programs for such items as landscape planting designs and installations; lime
and fertilizer application; pest management and pesticide/herbicide application; tree removal and
trimming; turf, field and meadow mowing, road sweeping, water testing, while balancing the need for
such services with the abilities and time availability of in-house staff.
• Develops, supervises, and nurtures a progressive Horticultural Volunteer Program and assists in the
development of initiatives to stimulate the use of individual and corporate volunteers in horticultural
programs, including beneficial relationships with related professional green industry organizations.
• Develops and implements programs to restore native ecosystems including the management and
removal of invasive exotic vegetation from park grounds as well as revegetation with appropriate
species in cooperation with Natural Resources Management staff.
• Cooperates and coordinates with all Natural Resources Management programs including but not
limited to, wildlife management, meadow management, prescribed burning, invasive plant
management, native revegetation projects, aquatic vegetation management, insect and pest
management.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Ornamental Horticulture, Landscape
Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years related experience in landscape design, horticultural landscape management,
facility, grounds, natural resource or park operations management. Public garden experience a plus.
• Minimum 4 years related experience in managing a diverse team of gardening staff and educators at
geographically dispersed worksites.
• Must be able to assess situations, solve problems, apply professional judgement, prioritize projects,
and work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in public situations.
• Must be highly self-motivated and able to manage several projects at once in an efficient and timely
manner.
• Must be able to manage and mentor staff in a professional manner. Ability to receive constructive
criticism and react appropriately is required.
• Ability to effectively communicate effectively in both verbal, written print and electronic form, to
compose routine letters, memos, transmittals, e-mails and similar correspondence to park staff,
vendors, contractors, professionals, and regulatory personnel.
• Ability to read, understand and follow construction blueprints and/or specifications;
• Demonstrable competency in a wide range of plant identification and botanical nomenclature, with
the ability to pass a written and field horticultural competency test.
• Valid New Jersey Driver’s License and ability to travel to sites throughout the County is required.
• The ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable
accommodation.

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

Candidate may delegate to subordinate(s) portions 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. The Morris County Park Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Please complete the Job Application at https://www.morrisparks.net/about/jobs/, then attach it to an e-mail addressed to the Human Resources Department (mcpcemploy@morrisparks.net) and indicate the position to which you are applying. Please submit applications in the “Print-Friendly View” Format ONLY. Please attach your resume and cover letter with your submission. No phone calls please.

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