Amy Greenwell Garden Manager

Employment Type: Interim, Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt (eligible to reapply when funding becomes available for a permanent full-time position)
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary, Not to Exceed December, 31, 2023
Deadline to Apply: This application will remain open until the position is filled.

Job Purpose
The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (AGG) Garden Manager works closely with hired staff of the Friends (see below) to coordinate and oversee all operations in connection with the development and maintenance of the Garden, including administration of daily activities, and provides leadership and direction in interactions with the officers and Board of the Friends, the Museum staff, the community, and other professional organizations. This position may become a full-time permanent position as funding becomes available in the near future, and the Interim Garden Manager will be eligible to apply for that position.

The Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (Friends) is a community-based non-profit organization who owns and manages the ethnobotanical Garden/Community Forest (Garden) located in Captain Cook, Hawai’i Island. The Friends purchased the decades-old Garden in 2019 after several years of fund-raising and are now re-opening the Garden after several years of closure prior to its purchase and the partial closure of the Garden that occurred during the pandemic years of 2020 through 2022. A grant awarded to the Friends has provided funding for the Garden Director who is an employee of the Friends, and the Garden Manager is supervised by the Museum with partial funding from the Museum and partial funding from the Friends under an Operating Agreement between the Friends and the Museum.

This Garden Manager position is for the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden located in Captain Cook, Hawai’i Island.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Role models and oversees compliance with laws, regulations, practices, and policies for all employees and volunteers.
• Supervises the Garden Horticulturist, Maintenance Caretakers, Nursery Coordinator, and interns and volunteers associated with those functions. Does not supervise the Garden Director or the Education Coordinator or interns and volunteers associated with those functions.
• Performs horticultural tasks which include planting, pruning, fertilization, fencing, weed trimming and control, mowing, irrigation, and administering pesticide and herbicide treatments.
• Oversees the maintenance and growth of the Garden’s botanical collections and nursery; ensures the accuracy and adequacy of collections records.
• Leads and participates in planning and development of projects relating to native and Hawaiian ‘canoe plant’ living collections, horticulture, and garden operations.
• Oversees and manages the daily operations (grounds management, collection management, research, visitor center, administrative) of the Garden.
• Writes proposals, oversees and reports for grant-funded projects for the Garden, as needed
• Plans and oversees the development and maintenance of Garden infrastructure including trails, landscaping, irrigation, buildings, and machinery.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives of the Garden; develops and manages operational plans and budgets alongside the AGG Treasurer; monitors expenses and allocates Garden resources.
• Represents Garden in community through participation in community organizations, outreach, and interactions with leaders of other organizations.
• Seeks opportunities to advance the mission, financial security, and visibility of the Garden.
• Monitors and maintains equipment, vehicles, and buildings and performs repairs as needed.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience with project management.
• College degree, preferably with emphasis in horticultural science, ethnobotany, botany, or similar coursework.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in horticulture and/or botany.
• At least 2 years of experience with personnel management or administrative work.

Other Qualifications

• Must have own car with proof of insurance and valid Hawaii Driver’s license.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds or more.
• Familiar with Native Hawaiian culture by close association preferred.
• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office or a similar software preferred.
• Flexibility in working hours, as some evening and weekend work is required.

Direct Reports

• Nursery Coordinator
• AGG Horticulturalist
• AGG Garden (maintenance) Caretaker

Working Conditions
Must be willing to use insecticides and herbicides, including wearing PPE.

Physical Conditions
Job is physically demanding. Requires ability to use a heavy duty weed eater for up to three hours per day, carry heavy equipment while walking over uneven ground for up to 5 hours per day, trim trees with a chainsaw, clear paths and parking lots with a backpack blower, and undertake other strenuous garden tasks.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.