Senior Horticulturalist

Senior Horticulturalist

Department: Grounds & Golf
Reports To: Grounds & Golf Manager
Employment Status: Full-Time
Location: Woodberry Forest School, Madison, Virginia
Start Date:  After January 1, 2027

About Woodberry Forest School

Woodberry Forest School, located in Madison, VA, is an exceptional private boarding school community for high school boys in grades nine through twelve. It is one of the top boarding schools in the United States and one of the only all-boys, all-boarding schools in the country. Woodberry's 1,200-acre campus is the largest boarding school campus in Virginia and one of the largest private school campuses in the country.

The campus is a distinctive blend of historic architecture, mature landscapes, athletic fields, recreational spaces, natural areas, and a championship golf course. The Grounds & Golf Department is responsible for maintaining and enhancing this unique environment while preserving Woodberry's historic character and supporting the daily life of the school community.

Position Summary

The Senior Horticulturalist is an essential member of the Grounds & Golf Department and provides advanced horticultural expertise in the care, development, appearance, and long-term stewardship of Woodberry Forest School's 1,200-acre campus.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the management and maintenance of ornamental landscapes, gardens, specimen trees and shrubs, perennial and annual plantings, seasonal displays, and other high-visibility horticultural areas throughout campus. The position requires strong knowledge of plant identification, plant health care, pruning, soil management, irrigation, integrated pest management, landscape installation, and sustainable horticultural practices.

The Senior Horticulturalist will help establish and maintain high horticultural standards across the campus and will work closely with the Grounds & Golf Manager and department staff to plan, prioritize, and execute landscape improvements and seasonal operations. The position may provide technical guidance and direction to other members of the Grounds & Golf team and is expected to serve as a resource for horticultural knowledge and best practices.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound horticultural judgment, initiative, organization, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving and enhancing Woodberry's historic landscape. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant and lasting contribution to a nationally recognized educational campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and perform advanced horticultural maintenance of ornamental landscapes, gardens, planting beds, specimen plants, trees, shrubs, perennial borders, annual displays, and other high-visibility campus areas.

Develop and maintain seasonal planting plans and ornamental displays that complement Woodberry Forest School's architecture, historic character, landscape design, and seasonal campus activities.

Select, install, establish, transplant, and maintain annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees, and other plant material appropriate to site conditions and landscape objectives.

Perform advanced pruning and structural maintenance of trees and shrubs using accepted horticultural and arboricultural practices.

Evaluate plant health and diagnose common plant disorders, including insect infestations, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, environmental stress, improper irrigation, soil deficiencies, and other cultural problems.

Develop and implement appropriate plant health care and integrated pest management strategies.

Monitor landscape conditions and recommend corrective actions related to soil, irrigation, drainage, fertility, pruning, pest management, plant selection, and other cultural practices.

Assist with the development and implementation of fertilization and soil management programs based on plant requirements, soil conditions, and established departmental practices.

Manage irrigation needs for ornamental landscapes and gardens, including system operation, seasonal adjustments, troubleshooting, repairs, and water management.

Assist with irrigation planning and improvements for newly installed and existing landscapes.

Plan and execute landscape installation, renovation, and enhancement projects, including site preparation, soil improvement, plant selection, planting, staking, mulching, irrigation, and establishment.

Assist the Grounds & Golf Manager in developing annual horticultural work plans, seasonal priorities, material requirements, and project schedules.

Help establish horticultural standards and maintenance practices for ornamental landscapes and high-visibility areas across campus.

Provide technical guidance and practical instruction to grounds staff regarding plant identification, pruning, planting, irrigation, pest and disease recognition, equipment use, and other horticultural practices.

Assist in training and mentoring staff in proper horticultural techniques, safe work practices, equipment operation, and landscape maintenance standards.

Coordinate horticultural tasks with other Grounds & Golf operations to ensure efficient use of personnel, equipment, materials, and seasonal resources.

Maintain plant inventories and assist with documenting significant trees, shrubs, perennial collections, landscape beds, and other horticultural assets.

Monitor the condition of mature and specimen trees and shrubs and communicate concerns requiring specialized arboricultural evaluation or treatment.

Assist with the preservation and enhancement of historic landscapes while incorporating appropriate contemporary horticultural practices.

Research and recommend plant selections, cultivars, materials, tools, equipment, and horticultural practices that improve landscape quality, sustainability, efficiency, and long-term performance.

Assist with greenhouse, nursery, propagation, or overwintering activities as applicable to departmental operations.

Operate and maintain tractors, loaders, utility vehicles, sprayers, commercial mowers, string trimmers, blowers, hand tools, and other specialized horticultural and grounds equipment.

Assist with turfgrass management, athletic field maintenance, storm cleanup, leaf collection, snow and ice response, and other seasonal campus operations as needed.

Identify and report issues involving trees, shrubs, turf, irrigation, drainage, pests, diseases, soil conditions, equipment, and general landscape conditions.

Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and ensure horticultural materials and equipment are properly stored and maintained.

Properly operate, clean, inspect, and perform basic maintenance on equipment and tools.

Maintain appropriate records related to pesticide applications, plant health treatments, irrigation issues, materials, projects, and other horticultural activities as required.

Follow all safety procedures, environmental regulations, pesticide laws, and departmental policies and participate in required safety training.

Work collaboratively with coworkers and supervisors and contribute positively to a professional team environment.

Provide courteous and professional interactions with faculty, staff, students, visitors, and members of the Woodberry community.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Grounds & Golf Manager.

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in horticulture, landscape management, botanical gardens, arboreta, estate management, plant health care, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong working knowledge of ornamental horticulture, including plant identification, planting, pruning, transplanting, soil management, fertilization, irrigation, and plant establishment.

Demonstrated knowledge of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, ornamental grasses, bulbs, and other landscape plant material appropriate to the Mid-Atlantic region.

Ability to identify common landscape pests, diseases, disorders, and environmental stresses and recommend appropriate corrective measures.

Knowledge of integrated pest management principles and safe application of pesticides and other landscape products.

Ability to safely operate and maintain a wide range of horticultural and grounds maintenance equipment.

Ability to independently organize, prioritize, and complete horticultural work assignments while meeting established standards and deadlines.

Strong attention to detail and demonstrated pride in the quality, health, and appearance of managed landscapes.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a professional team.

Ability to provide technical guidance, training, and practical direction to coworkers when appropriate.

Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physically demanding horticultural tasks.

Ability to utilize technology for communication, scheduling, recordkeeping, research, and other departmental functions.

Valid driver's license and a safe driving record.

Preferred:

Degree or certificate in horticulture, landscape management, plant science, botany, arboriculture, or a related field.

Professional certification in horticulture, arboriculture, pesticide application, irrigation, or a related discipline.

Virginia pesticide applicator certification or willingness to obtain certification.

Experience managing large institutional, educational, historic, botanical, estate, resort, golf, or public landscapes.

Experience with historic landscapes, mature trees, specimen plant collections, formal gardens, perennial borders, and high-profile ornamental landscapes.

Experience with integrated pest management and comprehensive plant health care programs.

Experience developing seasonal planting plans, landscape renovation plans, or horticultural maintenance programs.

Experience with irrigation system management, water conservation practices, and landscape water management.

Experience operating tractors, loaders, utility vehicles, sprayers, lifts, and specialized horticultural equipment.

Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical direction to grounds or horticultural staff.

Proficiency with computerized work-order systems, landscape management software, spreadsheets, mapping tools, or other technology used in professional grounds operations.

Relevant continuing education, professional memberships, certifications, or training in horticulture, arboriculture, plant health care, irrigation, landscape management, or related fields.

Professional Expectations

Woodberry Forest School seeks individuals who take pride in their work and understand that exceptional horticultural management requires technical expertise, consistency, initiative, planning, teamwork, and attention to detail.

The successful candidate will:

Demonstrate a positive, professional, and service-oriented attitude.

Take ownership of assigned horticultural programs, projects, and responsibilities.

Approach landscape management with sound horticultural judgment and an understanding of long-term plant health and landscape sustainability.

Work cooperatively and respectfully with coworkers and supervisors.

Communicate effectively with the Grounds & Golf Manager and other members of the department.

Provide knowledgeable and practical guidance to coworkers when appropriate.

Demonstrate initiative in identifying landscape needs and developing practical solutions.

Be receptive to coaching, training, new technologies, and continued professional development.

Maintain high standards for plant health, landscape appearance, safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

Take pride in preserving and enhancing Woodberry's historic landscape and distinctive campus character.

Contribute horticultural knowledge, observations, and innovative ideas that improve department operations and the long-term health of the campus landscape.

Maintain professionalism when interacting with students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, and members of the Woodberry community.

Help create a positive work environment through professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position requires regular outdoor work in hot, cold, wet, and changing weather conditions. The Senior Horticulturalist must be able to perform physical tasks associated with professional horticultural and landscape management, including prolonged periods of standing and walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, and operating equipment.

The employee may occasionally be required to lift and carry materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds and work around operating machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, power equipment, and other landscape maintenance products in accordance with established safety procedures.

The position may require working around trees, slopes, uneven terrain, irrigation systems, construction areas, and other variable campus conditions.

Work Schedule

The Senior Horticulturalist works a full-time schedule based on the operational needs of the Grounds & Golf Department. Seasonal, weekend, holiday, or emergency work may occasionally be required, including support for severe weather events, athletic events, special campus activities, seasonal landscape installations, plant health emergencies, and other campus operations.

Compensation and Benefits

Woodberry Forest School offers a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plan participation, paid time off, and other benefits available to eligible employees.

Why Work at Woodberry Forest School?

Working at Woodberry offers the opportunity to be part of a highly collaborative team caring for one of the most distinctive school campuses in the country. The Senior Horticulturalist will play a significant role in maintaining, developing, and preserving the beauty, health, functionality, and character of a historic 1,200-acre campus while supporting the educational mission and daily experience of the Woodberry community.

For an experienced horticultural professional who enjoys working with plants, landscapes, and mature properties, takes pride in exceptional horticultural standards, and wants to contribute technical expertise within a diverse and progressive Grounds & Golf operation, this position provides an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting contribution.

The Senior Horticulturalist will have the opportunity to work with a diverse collection of mature landscapes and plant material while contributing to long-term landscape planning, plant health, seasonal displays, landscape improvements, and the preservation of Woodberry Forest School's historic campus character.

Salary Range:  $28-$33 The School may consider higher salaries for exceptional, experienced candidates.

WOODBERRY FOREST SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER