Memorial Park Conservancy seeks Conservation Horticulture Coordinator

Preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

Job Summary: The Conservation Horticulture Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the year-round care and maintenance of the Park’s landscaped areas and native plantings at the direction of the Conservation Horticulture Supervisor. This includes proactively managing the native horticulture areas, landscaping beds, and supporting overall Park maintenance efforts. The Conservation Horticulture Coordinator will be responsible for leading a team of staff in designated areas. Through oversight and strong collaboration across all departments, the Conservation Horticulture Coordinator will assist with team member oversight, monitoring, caring for, and reporting on designated Park zones; including diverse plantings, robust volunteer and outreach programs, and ensuring a positive and safe public experience in the park. Base Schedule: Monday-Friday 6am- 2:30pm, may adjust based on seasons.

Responsibilities and Duties Include:
• Lead a team of staff daily to maintain each of the assigned designated zones and plan for upcoming tasks or projects as needed. Direct and train staff, seasonal workers, interns, and volunteers in executing tasks.
• Monitor, care for, and report on designated Park zones, hardscape elements, including a wide range of native landscapes that include garden beds, bioswales, green walls, and lake slopes on a regular basis; apply Integrated Pest Management Principles.
• Using best horticulture management practices, oversee and perform general landscape maintenance including blowing, edging, raking, mulching, planting, seeding, weeding, watering, fertilizing, spraying, and other tasks as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Supervisor to develop and maintain native plantings within the landscaped areas of the Park. Design landscape beds and planting plans as needed.
• Competently prune perennials, shrubs, and trees using best management practices.
• Operate small and large equipment including utility vehicles, trucks, tractors, backpack blowers, triblades, edgers, and others as needed.
• Demonstrate ownership of assigned work by upholding and maintaining standards to the highest degree by understanding plant health and environmental conditions.
• Document, inventory, report, and catalog data and information.
• Assist with ensuring appropriate inventory and care of equipment, supplies, and materials for daily conservation operations.
• Influence budget needs and coordinate procurement of tools and supplies.

Responsibilities and Duties Continued:
• Accurately manage employee schedules to accommodate organization programs.
• Communicate employee observations to Supervisor for recognition or disciplinary action.
• Communicate issues regarding infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, quality of the Park user experience issues as needed via work order system.
• Monitor irrigation systems of Park areas of responsibility, and complete work orders as needed.
• Work collaboratively and creatively with Park Operations leadership in a team-first environment.
• Interact with Park patrons in a courteous and professional manner. Ensure team members are trained and adhering accordingly. Be prepared to provide accurate and pertinent information regarding MPC and the Park.
• Enforce MPC rules, safety policies, and procedures, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Conduct and document safety training as needed and ensure compliance with safety protocol.
• Ensure cleanliness of office and storage spaces.
• Assist with trash and debris removal, sweeping and blowing of areas as needed.
• Lead and organize volunteers, delegating tasks to Technicians. This includes an occasional weekend.
• Assist with other Park Operations teams as needed.

Minimum Requirements:
• Degree from accredited institution in Horticulture, Natural Science, Environmental Science, or related fields
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in horticulture, conservation, native plant establishment, and/or invasive species management.
• High level of knowledge and experience in conservation horticulture
• High level of knowledge and experience with Integrated Pest Management Principles
• Strong plant ID skills of native and invasive species in the Houston area.
• Knowledge of landscape irrigation practices and principles.
• Ability to disseminate information regarding industry standards and best practices and train coworkers in horticultural skills. Ability to communicate in English and Spanish preferred.

Minimum Requirements Continued:
• Demonstrated success in working in a team-oriented environment, as well as ability to work independently and make judgment calls, while referring more serious problems to a Supervisor.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; highly motivated.
• Proficiency in PC based Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience with asset management systems a plus, must be comfortable learning new software.
• Exceptional time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work a varied schedule including occasional weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Licensures:
• Native Landscape Certification Program through the Native Plant Society of Texas
• Professional certification through Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA)

Abilities Required:
• Ability to perform heavy, physical labor daily in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout a given workday.
• Ability to operate power equipment throughout a workday.
• Ability to stand, crouch, and climb to use ladders and perform various types of manual labor throughout the day.

Safety Requirements:
Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and follow federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways). If an employee discovers a potentially dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Compensation:
This is an hourly, non-exempt position, with a range of $19-$22/hour. Benefits include full medical, dental and vision benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability and 401k retirement plan.

To Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter along with two references to Careers@memorialparkconservancy.org