Position Title:

Lead Horticulturist (Supervisory Horticulturist)

Reference:

London-2024-058

Location:

U.S. Embassy, London and other U.S. Government sites

Closing Date:

November 19, 2024

Work Hours:

Full-time, 40 hours/week

Salary:

£61,003 gross starting salary per annum

Benefits:

Merit Based Compensation (Performance Related Pay awards)

Private Medical Insurance and Life Insurance Plans

Bi-weekly salary payments

Season Ticket Loan (Transportation)

Training opportunities & personal development

Employee Assistance Program

Annual and Sick Leave

UK and U.S. paid public holidays (15 days)

U.S. Embassy Group Personal Pension Plan

Restaurant facility & Bar area

On-site Gym

On-site Metro Bank

The U.S. Embassy London is seeking an experienced Lead Horticulturist.

The incumbent serves as London's Subject Matter Expert and authority in all matters pertaining to horticulture. The expertise of the incumbent is fundamental to meet, maintain and raise horticultural standards particularly in respect of the cultural and historical significance of the Ambassador's Residence, (Winfield House, Regent's Park) the second largest private garden in central London.

The incumbent is also responsible for the maintenance of gardens at the Embassy compound, external landscape of 3.5 acres, aquatic plants and vegetation associated with a 1.5-million-gallon lake, and six primary interior garden spaces and all U.S. Government-Owned (GO) properties.

Leads, manages and mentors a team of seven professional Horticulturists, located at the Ambassador’s Residence and Embassy compound. Also produces and manages the yearly schedules for all government-owned properties. Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative, managing and overseeing all contracts and contractors relating to all horticultural works on behalf of the U.S. Government.

- Has sole responsibility for the management and planning of 13 acres of grounds including four large greenhouses at Winfield House as well as the Embassy compound and other U.S. Government Properties.

- Prepares budget/costs and detailed planning for long term planting schemes to preserve and enhance the grounds by sourcing and procuring replacement plants, shrubs and trees throughout the grounds.

- Maintains the nursery, producing flowering and green plants as well as seasonal bedding plants for Winfield House, the Embassy compound and other Embassy properties as required.

- Develops and determines appropriate maintenance and management regimes for all horticultural/ornamental features of Winfield House, the Embassy compound and other Embassy properties as required.

- The incumbent is responsible for the management and supervision of a team of seven professional Horticulturists, as well as a number of summer hires.

- Plans & designs all cut flowers and floral decorations for the interior of Winfield House, liaising with the Ambassador and the House Managers for individual functions and celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day and sponsored events.

- Gives tours to high-level visitors who visit U.S. Government Owned properties.

- Performs other additional duties as assigned/required.

Interested? Then we would like to hear from you!

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

EDUCATION:

Formal Horticultural qualification: HND level or Degree in Horticulture or Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Master of Horticulture, or RHS Diploma in Horticulture or Kew Diploma or an equivalent qualification.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in designing, planning and management of large gardens over ten acres in size. Experience in in-house floral design & decoration. Experience of the cyclical maintenance of a high-quality garden open to the public, a garden with specialist historic and botanic plant collections. Experience in the care, cultivation and conservation of landscape detail for external and internal landscapes with a wide variety of flora. Experienced with the procurement of nursery stock, for selection and quality and species selection for variety of location situations. Experience in the selection/procurement of appropriate machinery for use on U.S. Government Owned property. Experience in the co-ordination, design, procurement and installation of floral designs and themed decoration for official events. Must have excellent proven experience in all aspects of horticultural management, ground maintenance, planning & budgeting.

LANGUAGE:

Must be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English (this may be tested).

ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR THIS VACANCY MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION VIA THE ELECTRONIC RECRUITMENT APPLICATION (ERA) – THIS CAN BE DONE BY SELECTING THE APPLY BUTTON SHOWN.

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Lead Horticulturist