Lead Horticulturist

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

 About the Position

The Horticulture Lead is responsible for the care and management of all historic gardens and landscapes at Colonial Williamsburg. This position is responsible for the supervision and direction of all employees that are assigned to or are assisting in these areas. This is a working lead position responsible for the planting, care and management of all specified areas. The incumbent will apply the proper cultural practices to a variety of plants including annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vegetables, and fruit. The Horticulture Lead assists the Landscape Manager with the preparation of the annual budget and written reports

Essential Functions:

1. Directly supervises those assigned to and assisting with the care of the historic gardens and landscape. Assigns work, evaluates employees, reviews and acts on personnel grievances and complaints, and is directly involved with hiring, disciplinary actions, and termination.

2. Interacts positively and professionally with fellow staff members and Colonial Williamsburg visitors. Establishes and maintains a properly communicative environment for staff, ensuring an efficient flow of information to the appropriate parties.

3. Oversees outside contractors to assure landscape tasks meet departmental standards.

4. Establishes goals and provides daily technical and physical assistance to ensure efficient completion of projects and garden related activities. Sees the big picture and does not get caught in the details.

5. Responsible for following the best care and management practices for the cultivation of trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, grasses, perennials, annuals and herbs. This would include planting, pruning, watering and soil management. Remains informed of state-of-the-art techniques in the horticultural field.

6. Responsible for the identification, control and treatment of weeds, diseases and pests. Includes the safe and proper use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

7. Assures OSHA guidelines are being followed in the work place and is safe for employees and visitors. Assures staff has the proper tools and equipment and the proper training to use and maintain all items safely. Ability to operate large equipment such as, but not limited to, tractors, loaders, dump trucks, snow plows and similar machinery.

8. Maintains daily records of work activities and submits requested reports to the landscape managers. Effectively monitors use of materials to stay within the approved budgetary framework.

9. Works with other departments providing support for their horticultural requests to include landscape needs for special events and programs such as Christmas and photo shoots.

10. Interacts positively with visitors, answering questions, and giving directions. Assists with giving talks and tours to garden clubs and special guests.

11. This position is deemed as essential personnel (24/7) and is required to report to work whether the Foundation open or closed, regardless of emergency weather related or otherwise. React to emergency or other non-routine situations, such as supervising the removal of snow, ice, or storm damage.

12. Performs other related duties as requested by immediate supervisor and carries out the completion of special assignments.

Required  Education and Experience:

• Generally gained through high school diploma/G.E.D., plus eight years’ experience at a senior gardener level or a degree in a horticultural-related field and two years’ experience at levels mentioned above.
• Supervisory experience at foreman level in landscape and garden maintenance at comparable large institutions where fine art of gardening is practiced.

Qualifications:

• Virginia Department of Consumer Services Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate.
• In-depth knowledge of landscape maintenance and advanced skills in gardening practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, deal with all kinds of people in differing situations with tact and courtesy, and deal with changing work priorities.
• Abilities to: 1) bend, stoop and kneel to perform work, 2) lift weights up to 50 pounds, and 3) work outside in all weather conditions,
• Ability to work flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays, and be available for work on emergency basis seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.

  • Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
  • Must be at least 21 years of age

Preferred Qualifications:

• Microsoft Word computer skills and excellent customer skills are desirable.
• Possess CPR and  AED Certification.