This position is located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC). The Horticulture Director oversees the horticulture program at the WCROC by participating with supervisors in the development of the strategic direction for the program. They also initiate and collaborate on research projects, lead day-to-day operations, manage budgets, and oversee staff. Develop and execute vision for the Horticulture Display Garden, Childrenâ™s Garden, and Interpretive Overlook. This person provides professional research and technical support within horticulture operations as well as coordinates all research trials, oversees implementation of research protocols, and completes necessary reports. This position assures technical effectiveness in horticultural research projects. The person is responsible to hire, supervise, and train horticulture staff, as well as hire and direct summer students which includes providing specialized training in research, collection techniques, and operational safety. They also organize and execute horticultural educational events, tours, and field trips including the annual Hort Night. Coordinate horticulture advisory committee meetings and activities. This person develops communication strategies that support the mission of the WCROC horticulture program and cultivate donor relationships for ongoing financial support.
Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages): - Participate in the development and implementation of strategic direction for the WCROC horticulture program (25%)
- In consultation with leadership, initiate and collaborate on research initiatives and projects with collaborators within the UMN Department of Horticulture, Arboretum, Horticulture Research Center, other ROC horticulture programs, and with external collaborators and industry partners.
- Develop and participate in grant proposals and develop research budgets
- Lead the on-going and annual design and development of the Horticulture Garden, Childrenâ™s Garden, and Interpretive Overlook.
- Lead and direct day-to-day management for the WCROC horticulture program (45%)
- Provide professional research and technical support within horticulture operations.
- Coordinate research trials with industry partners, investigators, and fellow U of MN colleagues. Write and develop reports, and other publications.
- Deliver presentations and publications as a technical expert.
- Assure technical effectiveness in horticultural research projects.
- Develop job descriptions, hire, supervise, and train horticulture staff in specialized research and collection techniques as well as operational safety.
- Design annual flower beds and lead all spring planting efforts, including plot installation. Assign seasonal work.
- Lead horticulture budgeting which includes monitoring all garden foundation accounts, trialing fees, and invoicing.
- Respond to and resolve requests for public display garden use and constituent concerns.
- Develop and implement outreach activities for the WCROC Horticulture Program (20%)
- Manage the planning, organization, and outreach for the annual Hort Night event.
- Oversee horticulture program content on the WCROC website and various social media channels.
- Enhance the WCROC Horticulture Programâ™s role and profile as a partner within the Morris community and surrounding regions.
- Coordinate WCROC Horticulture program outreach with CFANS and ROC Communications staff.
- Organize horticulture program stakeholder groups and external support (10%)
- Organize the WCROC Horticulture Advisory Committee and the activities.
- Work with the UMN development team to cultivate horticulture program donor relations and fund development for ongoing financial support of the program.
- Write and distribute annual or semi-annual appeal letters.
- Develop and foster industry and NGO partnerships.
|