Director of Landscape Operations

Location: Cambridge/Watertown, MA
Salary:

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for managing the day-to-day assignments for a number of teams including turf, grounds, arboriculture, recycling and garage operations, and prioritizing for the efficient and effective use of staff and equipment. Focuses particularly on managing the tree collection. Work encompasses the 175 acres of Mount Auburn Cemetery. Performs a variety of duties to assist in all departmental duties during busy times (storms, holidays, leaf season) or when other staff are not available. Responsible for staff safety and training. Works with the Vice President of Horticulture & Landscape in preparing and adhering to annual operating budgets and setting short term and long-term priorities and goals with respect to tree care, turf maintenance and new landscape developments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises and manages all full-time, seasonal, and intern employees of the Landscape Operations team, including daily work and project assignments, staff safety, evaluations, hiring, training, professional development opportunities, and more.
• Oversees 4 teams and their budgets: arboriculture, turf/grounds, garage, recycling yard. Ensures all teams work seamlessly together, as well as with other departments.
• Oversees maintenance and care of Mount Auburn’s extensive tree collection of over 5,000 specimens, dating back more than 200 years. Ensures efficient pruning rotation, pest management, and other requirements for maintaining Level III arboretum status. Assigns work to crew of in-house arborists, contracts vendor work as needed. Works with Horticulture Curator for collections planning and analysis.
• Oversees turf & grounds team which focuses both on large lawn areas for public respite, as well as care of turf on grave lots, in addition to leaf collection in the fall/winter.
• Oversees mechanic and garage, where all tools, equipment and vehicles of the organization are maintained. Responsible for purchasing/leasing equipment and vehicles as per budget approvals.
• Oversees recycling yard which enables an 80% closed system for landscape debris, including production of compost, mulch, leaf mulch, woodchips and topsoil. Maintains orderliness of recycling yard and timeliness of production process.
• Serves as lead for snow removal operations. Works with VP of Horticulture & Landscape and others to determine necessity of delayed openings or closures, as well as scheduling staff for snow removal operations.
• Oversees horticulture contractors while on-site performing such work as tree plantings, tree removals, tree pruning, turf maintenance, geese/turkey control.
• Acts as liaison between or across departments and represents Landscape Horticulture perspectives as needed on committees, events planning, and more.
• Occasionally leads tours for donors or community groups, and may assist with special events, cemetery business and programs as needed.
• Perform all other duties as requested by the Vice President of Horticulture & Landscape to assist other horticulture teams or other departments.
• Develop protocols and practices that elevate Mount Auburn as a leader in sustainable landscape management.
• Maintains all tree and turf pesticide applications records.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Minimum five years’ experience (past or present) with tree climbing and pruning, 8+ years preferred, preferably at arboreta, botanic garden or similar environment.
• Certified ISA arborist, or able to obtain certification within 6 months.
• Five years of horticulture work experience.
• Five years of experience in successfully managing staff. Must be able to make decisions efficiently and confidently, sometimes in urgent or emergent situations.
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License in "Shade Trees and Ornamentals" (Category 36) or willingness to obtain within 6 months.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Massachusetts Hoisting License 2A required, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to communicate successfully with staff, outside vendors and contractors, lot owners, customers and visitors.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and programs such as Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or ability to learn.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish a plus.
• Ability to carry out heavy work that includes moving, adjusting or carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis.
• Position involves moving in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments for extended periods of time including, without limitation, remaining in a stationary position and/or performing activities in tight and confined spaces.
• Ability to use and operate, or willingness to learn, a variety of hand tools and power equipment such as pole pruner, leaf blower, weed wacker, snow blower, backhoe, etc.
• Ability to work outdoors in all seasons including harsh weather conditions.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Customer first, service-focused mindset
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead and inspire a team
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.