Gunston Hall is a small museum with a highly collaborative, energetic staff dedicated to the power of place, historical objects, and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages.
We offer an exciting opportunity for an energetic and action-oriented professional to join our team in the development, management, and interpretation of gardens and historic landscapes on our 550-acre historic site. Having recently adopted a twenty year Campus Master Plan and reconstructed the historic river-side garden at Gunston Hall, we are seeking a passionate and
collaborative horticulturist with the vision, expertise, and ability to inspire, develop, and implement an active program of landscape restoration, maintenance, and education.
The ideal candidate will possess expertise in horticulture and landscape management, a compelling vision for the educational potential of gardens and landscapes, an enthusiasm for
their work, a commitment to collaboration, a strong belief in the importance of ongoing personal and professional development, and knowledge of 18th -century horticulture.
Description of Duties
The horticulturist is a full-time, exempt-status position working within the education and guest experiences department under the direct supervision of the director of education and guest
experiences.
Gardening: The horticulturist is responsible for
● Taking the lead role in all garden and historic landscape work at Gunston Hall.
● Completing the implementation of the riverside garden planting plan.
● Ensuring that Gunston Hall’s horticultural work implements and reflects current best
practices in the field and that the organization’s plant holdings and landscapes are
documented appropriately.
● Establishing goals and providing daily technical and physical work to ensure the success
of garden and historic landscape related activities.
● Adhering to the best care and management practices for planting, pruning, replacing,
harvesting, seed collecting, and the overall care of a variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables,
herbs, trees, and shrubs.
● Assuming responsibility for amending the soil within the garden enclosures as necessary.
● Identifying, controlling, and treating weeds, diseases, and pests including the safe and
proper use of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
Working with others: The horticulturist is responsible for
● Expanding the volunteer corps; directly supervising volunteer and contractor
gardeners, while fostering a climate of teamwork.
● Establishing and ensuring that workplaces are safe for all those helping in the gardens
and that safe work practices are used.
● Supervising the timely harvesting of produce and as requested by the education and
guest experiences department and the museum shop.
● Communicating with internal and external audiences about Gunston Hall’s garden and
landscapes.
● Cultivating and maintaining professional relationships with other historic gardens and
greenhouse facilities to exchange ideas and information.
Supporting the mission: The horticulturist is responsible for
● Conducting research on Gunston Hall’s gardens, plants, and landscapes including the
sharing of findings with staff and the public through lectures, publications, tours, new
media, and similar formats.
● Providing tours of the historic gardens and historic landscapes as needed.
● Interacting positively with visitors, answering questions, and giving directions.
● Working closely with the director of education and guest experiences to prepare the
annual horticulture budget and work plan.
● Serving as the authority on Gunston Hall’s horticultural efforts, representing these
initiatives and work to visitors, donors, the media, and the public at large.
● Collaborating with the executive director and development staff to raise funds necessary
to complete needed horticulture initiatives and projects.
Qualifications
● B.S. degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a closely related field.
● Two to three years of progressive experience at a historic site, park, or comparable facility.
● Sound knowledge of the philosophy and fundamental principles, theories, and best
practices of horticulture and landscape management.
● Demonstrated commitment and success engaging and educating the public.
● Ability to supervise and manage volunteers.
● Ability to work with staff of other departments and outside professionals.
● Proven ability to establish and maintain strong lines of communication.
● Ability to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power equipment, and gas-powered
equipment (i.e. shears, blowers, chain saws, tractors, weed eaters, loaders, and trucks).
● Ability to obtain a Virginia pesticide applicator’s license.
● Ability to prepare and manage budgets
● Must be available to work weekends, holidays and evenings as needed.
● Ability to lift 30 lbs.
● Ability to work outdoors for long periods in various weather conditions.
This position is full-time, salaried, and classified as exempt. Compensation will be based on qualifications. Performance will be evaluated based on the achievement of collaboratively
determined team and personal goals specific to the requirements of the position.
The mission of Gunston Hall is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of the principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built from 1755-1759. The almost 6000 acre plantation was the home of George and Ann Mason, their children, and hundreds of enslaved people, indentured servants, wage workers, and tenant farmers. Today, the site strives to tell the stories of these diverse people and how their stories contribute to our greater American narrative. The physical plant includes the house
called Gunston Hall; five reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; an on-going restoration of the 18th-century garden, and 550 acres of diverse
landscape situated along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org.
Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply please send a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Martin, director of education and guest experiences, at rebecca.martin@gunstonhall.org. Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.