Coordinator, Horticulture Programs, Litzsinger Road Ecology Center

Summary:
Responsible for coordination of all horticulture operations for the 39 acre Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC) site, including planning, budgeting, installation, and maintenance of all native plant horticultural projects. Manages horticulture volunteers. Consults with the restoration supervisor to ensure that landscaping and plant production meet ecological and economic parameters. Assists in prairie, woodland, and stream restoration efforts. Collaborates with the LREC education team to provide leadership and outreach to school garden programs. Represents the Missouri Botanical Garden positively during public outreach opportunities, whose mission is to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develops, implements, maintains and documents innovative horticultural plans for LREC.
• Applies systems thinking principles to ensure long-term horticultural viability of LREC.
• Analyze, plan for, and respond to ecological interactions on site and in the broader community as they impact LREC operations.
• Responsible for effectively managing LREC’s horticulture budget in coordination with the restoration supervisor.
• Responsible for the maintenance and purchasing of all horticultural materials.
• Manages collection of seed and plant propagation materials in coordination with LREC restoration staff to further enhance the LREC site and restoration goals.
• Supports restoration staff in controlling invasive species through the use of manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methods including chainsaw operation.
• Proactive outreach to grow the Garden Consultation and Support Program for schools affiliated with the center’s educational programs. Raising the awareness of the program.
• Participates in educational program instruction, leads volunteer enrichment programs, and similar public outreach opportunities.
• Interacts with and maintains positive relations with LREC’s residential neighbors.
• Promotes a division culture of teamwork and mutual support.
• Recruits, leads and recognizes LREC volunteers.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities, however, at times, may monitor or direct job duties of volunteers and interns.

Competencies:
• Communication – Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration – Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability – Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues’ concerns.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship – Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:
• Minimum (2-3) years’ experience in designing and developing horticulture plans.
• Strong working knowledge of best practices in horticulture and ability to apply that knowledge to LREC and their programs.
• Working knowledge and prior experience with Missouri or other North American native plants is required.
• Experience working in close proximity to the public and answering general questions.
• Experience with the use of computers for data r