Company description

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (“OSGF”) is a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation based in Upperville, Virginia with a mission to perpetuate and share Rachel Lambert Mellon’s home, garden, estate and Library to serve the public interest. The Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating scholarship and public dialogue on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being. For additional information, please visit www.osgf.org.

Job description

OSGF is accepting applications for a full time Biocultural Garden Manager position to work on our Biocultural Conservation Farm (“BCCF”) and in collaboration with our Local Education & Outreach (“LEO”) Team.

Schedule: Full-time – Monday-Friday (40hr a week), with some weekend and evening hours.

Benefits: Paid holidays, vacation and sick days, plus optional medical/vision/dental insurance and a 403(b) package.

POSITION

The selected individual will be responsible for a ¾ acre Walled Garden space, including the Children’s Garden, as well as the surrounding production beds that feature plants used for natural dyes, papermaking/fiber, dried flowers and medicinal herbs (used primarily by the LEO team). An additional responsibility will be to develop a new program for seed saving for heirloom vegetables that can be incorporated into the activities of the Biocultural Garden and LEO programs.

The role requires the candidate to be a highly organized, self-motivated and responsible person who is excited about educational gardens, historically and culturally significant crops, and growing beautiful plants!

The Biocultural Garden Manager will be in charge of monitoring the ongoing maintenance that the Walled Garden requires on a day-to-day basis. This may include; winter crop planning, bed preparation/planting, irrigation installation/maintenance, weeding, harvesting/drying materials for the LEO team, and landscaping (mowing/weedeating in and around the garden). Additionally, they will be responsible for managing weekly volunteer hours in the space during the busy growing season.

This position will devote 3 days per week to meet the responsibilities and goals of the position. Tuesdays - Thursdays will be allocated for Biocultural Garden management, but could change depending on weather or other large projects and Farm events.

The Biocultural Garden Manager will be expected to also participate in other general farm operations including harvesting, planting, weeding, bed preparation, working one full weekend on a 7-week rotating basis and more. Working weekend hours conveys time off the following week. Holiday coverage will also be expected on a rotating basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

● Create the annual crop plan for the production beds and the Children’s Garden beds in collaboration with the LEO team and the Farm Director

● Work closely with the Greenhouse Manager on ensuring all seedlings needed for the Biocultural & Children’s Gardens are ready for planting at the appropriate time

● Work closely with the Farm Director and LEO Director to prioritize tasks based on planting schedules, garden maintenance, program materials, etc.

● Work closely with the Farm Manager to implement effective IPM strategies for the Biocultural Garden

● Work with the Farm Director to determine the annual operating budget for all Biocultural Garden maintenance and operations

● Maintain the recently renovated Children’s Garden (garden maintenance, landscaping, irrigation management and hardscaping upkeep, etc.)

● Develop a new program in the seed saving and growing of heirloom and endangered food plants with related opportunities for communicating their associated cultural stories. Grow the seed saving program in a sustainable and effective manner.

● Meticulous record keeping of all facets of the Biocultural Garden’s production and usage for annual reporting/strategic decision-making

● Assist LEO with youth programming in the Biocultural Garden

● Communicate with the Programs Director/program instructors when plant materials are needed

● Educate/train farm crew in various aspects of Biocultural Garden operations (garden maintenance, seed saving and processing, material harvest, etc.)

● Manage weekly volunteer hours, overseeing work flow, and creating a positive and fun environment

● Work with the BCCF team doing various farm tasks (harvesting, weeding, planting, etc.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

● Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent experience.

● 2-4yrs experience working on an organic farm, in a public garden, etc.

● Passionate for farming/gardening and growing food.

● Excellent time-management, communication/organizational and problem-solving skills.

● Dependable, collaborative and flexible team player.

● Ability to do repetitive tasks for long durations.

● Experience leading volunteers/other team members.

● Ability to complete tasks efficiently and thoroughly.

● Ability to work independently and part of a team.

● Ability/willingness to operate machinery.

● Ability to exhibit safe and responsible conduct in outdoor environments.

● Ability to lift at least 50lb.

● Because our business is located in an area without access to reliable public transportation, we only recommend that applicants with access to a vehicle apply.

● Candidate must be able to pass a background check, as this role interacts with vulnerable populations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position works mainly on the Farm, with occasional work elsewhere on the OSGF property. The Garden Manager must be comfortable working both indoors and outdoors, in extreme temperatures of Virginia’s ecological environment, and more.

OSGF is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ancestry, disability, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline