Nestldown is a 180 acre property with an event area covering 35 acres with over 12 garden rooms. These “rooms” feature different planting themes including a Chapel, Fantasy Garden, Fox Glove Meadow, and the Medieval Garden as well as topiary, perennial borders, woodland garden, butterfly garden, foliage garden, aquatic features, meadows, lawns, redwood forests, natural woodlands, historic orchards, and many seasonal annual display gardens. It is our hope to provide a wonderful memorable experience both for the people who come here, as well as for the people who work here. We are a public display garden, and as such, the gardens need to be ready for viewing throughout each season of the year.
As such, the Area Manager will be the conservator of a number of the gardens, responsible for the beauty and readiness for public viewing. We want someone that has a proven passion for horticulture, and about all things gardens! Who ensures that their passion shows in the translation of the design intent. Constantly, ready for public display throughout all of the seasons!
Primarily – it is a working manager; but it is both a hands-on, team, and management role, often with the support of a dedicated landscaper and as needed, other members of the gardens team. The Area Manager will participate as a team member with other Area Managers and Specialists to ensure the overall beauty of their area and of Nestldown itself.
Essential functions and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Showcasing a Public Display Garden mindset; exhibiting the detail orientation, urgency, and focus required to ensure the beauty and health of your garden areas.
- Ability to translate the design intent to fruition – each season and over time.
- Excel in the basics!!! Perform & lead in the general maintenance and care for the area; pruning, weeding, shaping………..
- Ensure the foundational infrastructure of the gardens (i.e.: working irrigation in all key areas; annual preparation of the beds; as needed arboriculture work to ensure for outstanding plant and tree performance…);
- Assess overall plant health, soil nutrition, and pest management strategies -Conduct research as necessary;
- Manage workflow via ASANA; In conjunction with the leadership team, develop plans & Implementation necessary to improve both your own key garden areas and that of the team;
- Recognize that no one knows it all; Request training and support of management and team as needed!
- Focus on continuous improvement; look for new and more efficient ways doing things
Management:
- Collaborate with the Design and Procurement Consultant (Jenna Bayer) who, in conjunction with the Director and the Nestldown Area Managers, develops the plans for the design and plant procurement.
- Work as a team with the Director and other Area Managers, communicate long-and short-term projects and priorities:
- Personal focus on the culture! Open communication, positive impact, leadership, teamwork and positivity.
- Maintain records and files of grounds and horticulture related plans and activities. Collaborate with the Leadership team for resource management and equipment maintenance.
Who you are:
- Your Superpower is creating a beautiful gardens experience!! You have the passion, knowledge, detail orientation, urgency, and focus required to ensure a large Public Display Garden
- You lead by example: You are a self-starter, personally motivated, enjoy hard work, perform at a
- high level.
- Detailed knowledge of irrigation systems, hardscape, and light construction.
- Willingness to work with our ASANA management infrastructure.
- A lead from the front mentality: You’re eager to get “dirty” with the team.
- Thrive on teamwork – in both requesting and providing support.
Qualifications:
- Infectious Passion for horticulture and gardens!!!
- Ideally possess a degree or relevant ornamental horticulture management experience
- 3-5 years of Success in the Management of a Public Display Garden (or proven role), to include:
- *Experience with general maintenance tasks (IPM, pruning, weeding, planting, soil health, fertility management
- * Experience managing the infrastructure of the gardens (ie: working irrigation in all key areas; annual preparation of the beds; as needed arboriculture work to ensure for outstanding plant and tree performance…);
- *Assessment of overall plant health and soil nutrition strategies - to include sustainable gardening practices, fertilization, and integrated pest management, Conduct research as necessary.
- The ability for laborious work, to lift and /or move up to 50 lbs, frequently, and to occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 lbs.
- Excellent verbal skills for both internal and external communications.
- Conversational Spanish is a bonus.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $32.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Experience:
- Gardening: 3 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person