Montalvo Employment Opportunity

Job Title: Head Gardener

PT, 20-hours, non-exempt

Salary: Commensurate with experience

The Head Gardener’s primary responsibility is to provide expert leadership in the daily care
and maintenance of Montalvo’s grounds and gardens. The Coordinator will work closely with
facilities staff, the garden focused trustees and friends of Montalvo to make improvements to
the grounds, and organize and direct volunteers in carrying out those plans for improvement.
The position reports to the Director of Finance & Operations, and accepts direction from the
Building & Grounds Committee.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 Develop plan for pruning, fertilizing and pest control using IPM (integrated pest
management).
 Monitor lawn care and irrigation system; work with staff to optimize.
 Monitor the health of the trees, shrubs, and plants and advise of concerns. Develop a
plan to fertilize and apply compost at the appropriate times. Work with arborist for
care of large trees.
 Implement the composting of soft plant material and chipping of material on site.
 Prune the dead wood from the established plant material, where accessible.
 Water and care for the planted containers, indoors and outside.
 Develop accession and succession planning for the prominent and historic plants on the
grounds.
 Implement processes to manage Montalvo’s facilities in an environmentally responsible
manner.
 Coordinate volunteer workdays in the gardens (typically twice per month; one
Wednesday and one Saturday); supervise, instruct and lead volunteers of varying
abilities and ages.
 Supervise horticulture interns and other volunteer-based special projects.
 Hold regular volunteer and community workshops on a variety of topics, such as “how
to prune a rose,” “the principles of constructing an Italianate garden,” etc.
 Provide guidance and instruction to facilities staff on grounds care issues and methods.
 Provide guidance to the Culinary Fellow for the maintenance of the kitchen garden.
 Attend the monthly Building & Grounds meeting, and work with the sub-garden group.
 Work with Montalvo staff on how to promote, market the grounds as an
artistic program and potential revenue generator for Montalvo.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

 Minimum 2-3 years horticulture and/or grounds care experience; Associate degree in
horticulture, landscape architecture, parks management or related field
 Demonstrated knowledge of and proficiency in current grounds care and park
management standards; familiarity with maintaining and preserving historic properties
desireable.
 Ability to work cooperatively as part of a maintenance team, and with all
organizational staff, volunteers, trustees, community members, vendors and park
visitors.
Gardens Coordinator, page 2

 Ability to work independently and make sound decisions, without close supervision.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
 Self-motivated, detail oriented and well organized.
 A passion for local history and the arts is essential.

Working Conditions & Physical Tasks:

Majority of tasks will be performed outdoors, in all seasons. Must regularly lift/carry
landscaping equipment and materials weighing up to 80 lbs. May need to stand or bend to
perform maintenance on equipment or gardens. Position requires some evening/weekend
availability.

To apply, submit cover letter and resume to Human Resources via email at
hr@montalvoarts.org. No calls please.