Director, Horticultural Operations, Full Time
The Director of Horticultural Operations will be responsible for providing strong, professional leadership of Hershey Gardens’s horticultural team, as well as facilitating planning, maintenance and sustainability of Hershey Gardens. This includes 23 acres of outdoor, public space, as well as back of house operational space. This position will also oversee the operations of indoor exhibits in the Milton and Catherine Hershey Conservatory and Butterfly Atrium, and the Hoop House and Student Garden in the Children’s Garden. Collaboration with education and public program staff is key in planning for exceptional educational opportunities for guests.
Leadership & Team Management
Foster a positive and collaborative working environment in order to motivate the team to maintain Hershey Gardens’ established level of horticultural excellence. Departments within the horticultural operations include, Horticultural Design, Butterfly Atrium/Conservatory and Hoop House.
Determine schedules and work assignments based on event schedules, work priorities and weather. Lead a large number of horticulture volunteers to support the horticultural goals of Hershey Gardens.
Ensure that staff are proficient in rose care, weeding, mulching, pruning, irrigation and general plant knowledge as it pertains to our collection.
Support and enforce Foundation policies.
Provide feedback to team members on a timely basis and develop a path of learning and training for all staff. Prepare and provide annual performance reviews.
Supervise approximately 5-6 full-time staff to include management level staff, 5-6 part-time staff. Responsible for reviewing payroll, and other administrative functions relating to the supervision of staff.
Operations & Site Management
Oversee the maintenance and health of the 23-acre garden, with particular attention paid to our historic 3.5 acre rose garden and year-round Butterfly Atrium. Employ an “outside in” perspective to ensure that all areas of the gardens are pristine and presentable to guests at all times.
Ensure that tools and equipment are maintained and in safe working order, including hand tools, motorized vehicles, tractors and irrigation systems. To include enforcement of all safety protocols for the safety of staff and guests.
Support event preparation as needed to ensure seamless execution of public programs.
Collaborate with the Foundation Facilities Team to ensure the smooth operations of systems and buildings associated with horticulture programs.
Sustainable Gardening
Work with the Senior Director and staff to develop sustainable gardening goals and targets, with specific focus on the use of native and climate-resilient plants and eco-friendly irrigation.
Administrative Responsibilities
Develop annual budgets for Horticulture Operations. Review and collaborate with the managers of each horticulture department to establish budgets for the respective area of excellence. Maintain records, such as irrigation water usage, hard goods consumption, fuel consumption, and chemical usage for use in preparing budgets. Oversee bid processes and contract scheduling. Order materials and equipment.
Position Requirements
Associate’s degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, or a related field required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 5 years experience in a supervisory role and 7 years experience in a related field.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
Additional Information
Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan.
Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.
Education and Public Programs Assistant, Full time
Under the direct supervision of Hershey Garden’s Manager of Education and Public Programs, the Education Assistant will deliver and coordinate educational and public programs to school, youth, family and adult audiences. This position requires flexibility in work schedule including work on weekends, evenings as needed. This position will occasionally serve as manager on duty.
Major Duties/Responsibilities
40% Support the Education and Public Program team to deliver formal and informal lessons and educational experiences for schools including and not limited to scouts, adults, homeschool families, and general audiences. Assist with conducting public programs such as horticultural exhibitions and other public events.
40% Assist to provide administrative support, conduct research of potential speakers and guest-presenters, organize supplies, prepare materials, and set-up and tear-down programming spaces for education and public programs.
20% Coordinate recruiting and onboarding process for the teen volunteer program. Assist with developing and supervising experiences for teen volunteers.
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities
· Friendly, helpful, and courteous disposition
· Passion for nature and for sharing nature with others
· Ability to guide student and adult behavior in a positive, proactive manner
· Ability to lift tables and set up/fold chairs
· Committed to customer service and high quality guest experiences
· Capacity to stand for 2-3 hours at a time
· Willingness to work in all weather conditions
· Knowledge of general gardens history and procedures
· Ability to work weekdays and occasional weekends
Minimum education and experience requirements
Associates degree or higher.
Successful experience in classroom teaching or program delivery.
Demonstrated interest and ability to work with people, including children of all ages.
Clearances: This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment.
Status description and working hours:
Permanent full time, non exempt. Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan. Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.
Gardener, Full Time
Performs professional gardening & maintenance duties at Hershey Gardens, under the direction
of the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Major Job Duties:
Performs professional gardening duties as a primary task, as weather and schedule permits,
which includes reporting to work for snow removal operations as required.
Duties include but are not limited to trash collection, weeding, mulching, planting, pruning,
fertilizing, mowing grass, trimming and snow removal.
Performs all facets of gardening/maintenance tasks at Hershey Gardens as well as other The
M.S. Hershey Foundation entities, if required, as directed by the Director of Horticultural
Operations or Grounds Foreman.
Oversees and works with volunteer gardening staff, interns and students in the absence of the
Director of Horticultural Operations or Gardens Foreman.
Works with other staff, advisory board members, Foundation staff and outside professionals at
Hershey Gardens and Foundation entities.
Works with Director of Horticultural Operations, Grounds Foreman, fellow staff and outside
professionals to assist in identifying, correcting and preventing problem areas, in all aspects of
Hershey Gardens.
Reports possible leads, options and procedures to further enhance, save time, material and cost
related to all aspects of the Hershey Gardens to the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Adheres to, and supports Hershey Gardens’ compliance with all State, Federal and Local laws
and policies.
As a full-time staff member, ensures the safety, health and welfare of all guests, personnel,
interns, students, board members and visitors on the property in accordance with Hershey
Garden’s crisis manual.
Position Requirements:
High school diploma or GED required.
Documented training in horticulture, related studies, or a minimum of two (2) years of
work in horticulture, at a professional level. Continuing education courses in
horticulture or a related field helpful.
Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Willing and able to test and successfully obtain a Pennsylvania Commercial or Private
Applicators license, if required by the Director of Horticultural Operations to perform
duties.
Demonstrated basic skills in oral and written communication.
Demonstrated ability to consistently represent Hershey Gardens and The M.S. Hershey
Foundation in a positive, professional manor.
Demonstrated ability to perform duties professionally under public situations.
Need to be able to move between Foundation and entities.
Occasional need to help with the set-up or tear-down of activities.
Work will be performed in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments and weather
conditions.
Requires physical effort including lifting up to 50 pounds and extended periods of
standing or walking.
Must be able to operate various garden-related machinery and equipment including
snow removal equipment.
This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse
background checks as a condition of employment.
Additional Information:
Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance,
long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan.
Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also
included.
The M.S. Hershey Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions, including all hiring decisions, are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy, non-job-related disability, veteran status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other trait protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strive to hire the hardest working and most qualified individuals.
