Position Available: Director of Horticulture and Conservation The Holden Arboretum is searching for a Director of Horticulture and Conservation to direct and coordinate horticultural and conservation operations. The Holden Arboretum is one of the largest arboreta in the United States, with one of the worlds most diverse collection of woody plants. Established in 1931 on 100 acres of land, Holden now manages 3,600 acres in Lake and Geauga counties in northeast Ohio with 3,000 acres of natural areas and 600 acres of woody plant collections and display gardens containing more than 2,000 species of trees and other plants.
The Director of Horticulture and Conservation will play a key role in planning gardens and natural areas, conduct public outreach, and be responsible for budget and staff management. In addition, this individual will have a central role in site planning for new gardens and the redesign of existing gardens as one element of our strategic plan. Major Responsibilities Directs and coordinates Horticulture and Conservation operations 1.Develops, supervises, and implements horticultural (including arboricultural) and conservation operations. 2.Oversees and approves accessioning and deaccessioning collection plants, based on Holdens curatorial philosophy. 3.Oversees the management of Holdens natural areas, consistent with strategic goals. 4.Oversees and directs the maintenance of proper records for plant collections and natural areas. 5.In conjunction with Assistant to the President for Special Projects, works with horticulturists, landscape architects, engineers, contractors, etc., in developing gardens and natural areas. 6.Adopts and promotes sustainable management practices for gardens and natural areas, including integrated pest management. 7.Directs and approves departments administrative activities including budget and program activities, long-range planning, and other department business. 8.Develops departments overall goals and objectives. Staff and budget management 1.Helps staff develop and execute their programs. 2.Develops and implements performance plans for staff and follows though accordingly, including ensuring top-level performance, in quantity and quality. 3.Assists and empowers staff in their continuing professional development. 4.Ensures that communication between staff and arboretum administration is clear and open. 5.Manages Horticulture and Conservation department budgets. Gardens and natural areas 1.Oversees the short and long-term planning and designing of display gardens organized along ecological, taxonomic, and/or landscape- horticultural themes. 2.Coordinates the development and implementation of management plans and land-use policy for natural areas, including working with the Research Program to plan and implement an integrated Research and Management Plan. 3.Participates in planning for trails and other physical features that may impact gardens and natural areas. 4.Works with the Interpretation Program to articulate key stories in gardens and natural areas for both casual and deeply knowledgeable visitors, helping ensure that interpretive content is scientifically accurate. Conducts public outreach in horticulture and conservation 1.Cooperates with outside organizations in horticulture and conservation on endeavors of common interest. 2.Acts as a resource, liaison, and leader for the public, avid amateurs, and professionals on horticultural and conservation matters. 3.Works with the Education Program to plan and execute lectures, workshops, symposia, and other education and outreach programs. 4.Participates in employee and visitor education programs. Qualifications 1.Masters degree or higher in environmental horticulture, ecology, natural resources, landscape architecture, or allied field. 2.Academic training and experience in horticulture and ecology, both in significant depth, and preferably with some research experience. 3.Significant management experience desirable. Résumés should be forwarded via: Regular mail to Jack Blackwell, Director of Human Resources, The Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094 Email to [email protected] (Attn: Director of Horticulture & Conservation- Job # 2009-11) Submit online to https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=190899 Holdens website: www.holdenarb.org Please reference Director of Horticulture and Conservation - Job # 2009-11 Inquiries must be received by the close of business on April 17, 2009. The Holden Arboretum is an equal opportunity, ADA employer and a drug-free workplace.
