Horticulture Manager, Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory and Butterfly Atrium, Full Time
This position is responsible for efficiently overseeing the day-to-day horticultural operation and care of the Milton and Catherine Hershey Conservatory and Butterfly Atrium, ensuring that the Conservatory provides an outstanding educational live butterfly exhibit and horticultural display. The Manager, Milton and Catherine Hershey Conservatory and Butterfly Atrium (Manager) leads a team of staff and volunteers in the care of the pupae, butterflies and other invertebrate species according to national and international codes, regulations and standards. Working in collaboration with the Horticulture team, performs duties associated with the maintenance and care of conservatory plant displays. The Manager works in collaboration with the Manager of Education and Public Programs on the layout and installation of special events to be held in the conservatory. He/she provides information for budgets, coordinates work schedules, completes staff performance evaluations, and supervises special projects. The Manager must be able to work as part of a team of horticulturists, educators, special event coordinators, and Hershey Gardens/Foundation staff to successfully meet the mission of Hershey Gardens. This position will also serve as Manager on Duty when required.
Summary of Duties
Leads a team that provides care and handling of the pupae and adult butterflies and other insect species; responsible for implementing protocols and operating procedures to maintain a high level of sanitation, care and safety of butterflies.
Supervises staff, volunteers and student workers, including hiring, training, work allocation, and evaluations. Develops performance goals, creates and maintains daily work schedules, reviews and approves time sheets. Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and adjusts work methods to reduce hazards. Reports accidents and injuries immediately. Ensures compliance with the USDA-APHIS-PPQ permit and other codes, regulations and standards and assists with permit renewal process.
Works with the Director of Horticultural Operations and Horticultural staff to monitor conservatory plant health, maintain conservatory plant collections and correct labeling. Under the guidance of the Director of Horticultural Operations, develops and coordinates planting plans for the conservatory’s landscape and seasonal displays. Collaborates to design and develop high quality plant displays to educate visitors. Assists in managing an IPM pest control program ensuring that conservatory plants are pest free. Assist with Garden-wide special events and other duties as assigned, including snow removal. Work may be performed in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments and weather conditions.
Provides information on conservatory expenses for inclusion into annual budget, ensures department operates within approved budget, completes purchase orders, and assigns material costs to suitable accounts.Further the Garden’s mission through teaching classes, leading tours, writing articles, giving garden club talks, participating in regional outreach events, and providing excellent customer service at all times.
Monitors temperature, humidity, ventilation, and light levels under the direction of an authorized user to ensure optimal plant health conditions.Ensures that conservatory equipment is functioning and, if needed, completes maintenance requests for repairs.
Minimum Skills
● Strong leadership, team-management and interpersonal skills including clear verbal and written communication skills.
● Comfortable handling insects and invertebrates, including dispatching specimens that may be injured or diseased.
● Proficient in Microsoft and Google suites of products.
● Working knowledge of safe operating procedures for various types of garden maintenance equipment.
● Understanding of Federal, State and local laws, regulations and standards for the ethical and humane treatment of animals in education.
● Working knowledge of budget development, management and forecasting.
● Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends, evenings, holidays and special events as needed.
● Need to be able to move between Foundation and entities.
● Requires physical effort including lifting up to 25 pounds and extended periods of standing or walking, pushing, pulling and handling manual labor tasks.
Education and Experience Requirements
B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, Science and/or related field required. An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.
Minimum of (5) five years of practical, relevant work experience. Preferred experience with growing tropical plants in an indoor environment. Previous experience with live animal care. Minimum (3) years’ experience in personnel management including demonstrated abilities in staff support, development, and conflict resolution.
This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment.
Candidates must possess a valid PA driver’s license.
Benefits
Perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan. Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.
Manager of Mechanical Equipment and Maintenance, Full-Time
This position plans, organizes and administers maintenance and repair duties for all gardening equipment, vehicles, and gardens systems and infrastructure. This position also assists the team with gardening and snow removal duties.
Summary of Duties
Perform routine and preventative maintenance on powered and non-powered equipment.
Repair and troubleshoot the irrigation system. Analyze information to determine services or repairs needed from outside companies.
Inspect and monitor work areas, and examine tools and equipment to prevent, detect and correct unsafe conditions.
Inventory tools, equipment and materials to ensure sufficient stock is available. Order parts when necessary.
Supervise a part-time facilities staff member. Coordinate their tasks with the Manager of Horticulture Design.
Participate in budget preparation and administration, coordinating purchasing and monitoring expenses.
Review, evaluate, select and coordinate the completion of work bids from contractors.
Develop and implement equipment policies and procedures. Conduct staff training on safety, repair and basic maintenance techniques.
Assist horticulture team with gardening duties, including pesticide spraying and snow removal.
Minimum Requirements
● High School Diploma or GED
● Five years of experience maintaining and repairing power equipment, supervisory experience preferred
● Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
● Valid Pennsylvania Commercial Applicator license within 3 months of hire
● Ability to lift 50 pounds and stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods
This position requires criminal history and child abuse background checks as a condition of employment
Perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan. Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.
Gardener, Full Time
Performs professional gardening & maintenance duties at Hershey Gardens, under the direction of the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Major Job Duties:
Performs professional gardening duties as a primary task, as weather and schedule permits, which includes reporting to work for snow removal operations as required.
Duties include but are not limited to trash collection, weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, fertilizing, mowing grass, trimming and snow removal. Performs all facets of gardening/maintenance tasks at Hershey Gardens as well as other The M.S. Hershey Foundation entities, if required, as directed by the Director of Horticultural Operations or Gardens Manager.
Oversees and works with volunteer gardening staff, interns and students in the absence of the Director of Horticultural Operations or Gardens Manager. Works with other staff, advisory board members, Foundation staff and outside professionals at Hershey Gardens and Foundation entities. Works with Director of Horticultural Operations, Gardens Manager, fellow staff and outside professionals to assist in identifying, correcting and preventing problem areas, in all aspects of Hershey Gardens. Reports possible leads, options and procedures to further enhance, save time, material and cost related to all aspects of the Hershey Gardens to the Director of Horticultural Operations.
Adheres to, and supports Hershey Gardens’ compliance with all State, Federal and Local laws and policies. As a full-time staff member, ensures the Safety, Health and Welfare of all Guests, Personnel, Interns, Students, Board Members and Visitors on the property in accordance with Hershey Garden’s crisis manual.
Position Requirements:
● High School diploma or GED required.
● Documented training in horticulture, related studies, or a minimum of two (2) years of work in horticulture, at a professional level. Continuing education courses in horticulture or a related field helpful.
● Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
● Willing and able to test and successfully obtain a Pennsylvania Commercial or Private Applicators license, if required by the Director of Horticultural Operations to perform duties.
● Demonstrated basic skills in oral and written communication.
● Demonstrated ability to consistently represent Hershey Gardens and The M.S. Hershey Foundation in a positive, professional manner.
● Demonstrated ability to perform duties professionally under public situations.
● Need to be able to move between Foundation and entities.
● Occasional need to help with the set-up or tear-down of activities.
● Work will be performed in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments and weather conditions.
● Requires physical effort including lifting up to 50 pounds and extended periods of standing or walking.
● Must be able to operate various garden-related machinery and equipment including snow removal equipment.
● This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment.
Starting Salary $18/hour
Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan. Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.
Butterfly Atrium Associate, Part Time
The Butterfly Atrium at Hershey Gardens is seeking a part-time, weekend Associate to work 5-10 hours per week. This position works in the Butterfly Atrium interpreting the exhibit for our guests, ensuring that guests have an excellent educational experience. This can include engaging in guest-focused informal education, maintaining containment of butterflies per our containment guidelines, and leading group tours.
● Assists with daily feeding and care of butterflies and other animals.
● Assists with the maintenance of the Butterfly Atrium, making sure that the area is clean and systems are working properly.
● May be trained to assist with receiving of tropical butterfly chrysalides on a weekly basis, including display, recordkeeping and disposal tasks.
● Assists in overseeing volunteers.
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform duties/responsibilities:
Requires physical effort including lifting up to 20 pounds and extended periods of standing or walking.
Requires spending periods of time in a hot, humid tropical-type environment.
Minimum education and experience requirements:
Background in education, biology or horticulture, working in an informal learning environment or working with living plants and animals preferred but will train the right candidate.
The M.S. Hershey Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions, including all hiring decisions, are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy, non-job-related disability, veteran status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other trait protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strive to hire the hardest working and most qualified individuals.