Manager Landscape and Horticulture

The Village Green Owners Association is seeking a Manager of Horticulture and Landscape for its historic 68-acre property in Los Angeles, CA. The role involves overseeing landscape operations, managing vendors, and planning large-scale rehabilitation projects that align with the property's historical design. Responsibilities include setting maintenance standards, evaluating plantings, and collaborating with staff and contractors on various landscape initiatives.
The Village Green is seeking a Manager, Horticulture and Landscape to develop and manage its 68 acre property located in Los Angeles, CA.

This 80-year-old historic property, a 629-unit condominium complex sited amongst a designed landscape, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001 in recognition of The Village Green’s architectural and historical significance. Landscape architect Fred Barlow, Jr. crafted a simple, yet elegant landscape to complement architects Reginald D. Johnson and Clarence S. Stein’s meticulous design for the buildings and site arrangement. The integration of architecture, site, and planting created a unified residential complex of private and public interaction with outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation.

The Manager, Horticulture and Landscape will oversee all landscape operations including the management of vendors providing landscape services for the property and will partner with the Village Green’s Manager in the planning and execution of large-scale landscape rehabilitation and improvement projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

Operations

● Set and maintain overall horticultural maintenance standards, policies, and documentation

● Set horticultural and maintenance priorities, oversee routine garden work; review, approve andprioritize work orders

● Set expectations and evaluate the performance of landscape vendors including but not limited togroundskeepers, arborists, and horticulturalists

● Evaluate performance of existing plantings; execute plant replacements as necessary

● Oversee sourcing and procurement for landscape repair including partnering with contract growersas necessary

● Partner with Village Green maintenance staff and other vendors to brainstorm, troubleshoot, andprovide expert recommendations relating to facilities work that may impact or be impacted by Village Green’s trees and landscape.

Capital Projects and Planning

● Ensure that rehabilitation projects reflect the Village Green’s historical landscaping design while also delivering on drought tolerance, sustainability including California natives, and long-term climate resilience

● Direct the rehabilitation of the property’s landscape in coordination with the Green’s contract landscape architecture firm

● Provide leadership for large-scale landscape improvement projects including property-wide irrigation design and replacement

● Proactively review design and construction documents, with particular attention to specifications for soils, planting, and protection of existing landscapes/infrastructure

● Communicate to contractors throughout rehabilitation projects to ensure that construction is on time, on budget, and to specifications.

● Participate in long-range master planning, strategic business discussions, and other work to address future Village Green landscaping needs

Administrative Duties, Professional Development, and Training

● Work with the Village Green Manager and Board of Directors to set the yearly operating budget andand effectively manage relevant project and operating budget line items

● Approve landscape vendor invoices, contracts, and other agreements

● Conduct quarterly reviews and annual evaluations of vendor implementation of contracts and presentthem to the Board of Directors. Lead the search for new vendors as needed.

● Actively solicit feedback from the Board of Directors and community to evolve, learn, and improvepolicies and procedures as needed

● Work with the Village Green Manager and Board of Directors to review and update theAssociation’s landscaping rules

● Complete mandatory training requirements commensurate with position

● Attend Board and committee meetings as needed

● Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

● The ideal candidate will possess an extensive knowledge of landscape horticulture/architecture, arboriculture, ecosystem management, conservation science, or closely related fields as acquired through a combination of education and hands-on experience in the operation of a public horticulture facility, museum, park, nature center, or similar facility

● The ideal candidate is a proven self-starter who combines a thorough knowledge of their field with a drive/desire to provide excellent service and leadership to others at all levels

● Displays attention to detail and proactive organizational skills

● Is situationally analytical but also able to think outside the box and actively solve problems

● Is capable of prioritizing multiple tasks while committed to responding in agreed upon time framesin a fast-paced environment, working independently with minimal supervision

● Is a clear and persuasive communicator who can issue instructions that will be understood by a wideaudience including vendors, staff and community members

● Is skilled in diplomacy and negotiation and can resolve conflicts positively and productively

● Has an ability to treat sensitive business information and people in a confidential, caring, andprofessional manner

● Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and PDF editing software

Education and Experience

● Bachelor's or Masters’ Degree in Horticulture, Plant/Agricultural Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources/Ecosystem Management or Public Horticulture

● 8-10 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

● Individuals with demonstrated work experience in arboriculture, horticulture, land stewardship,facility management, etc. are encouraged to apply

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed
• Year round work

Experience:
• Landscape management: 8 years (Required)

Language:
• English and working knowledge of Spanish (Required)

Ability to Commute:
• Los Angeles, CA 90016 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
• Los Angeles, CA 90016: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person