Head Horticulturalist
Job Title: Head Horticulturalist – Gardening & Landscaping Operations
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum, Louisville, KY
Status: Full-Time
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Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Head Horticulturalist to oversee all gardening and landscaping operations across our grounds. This position leads the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of high-quality landscapes, gardens, and plantings while ensuring excellence in customer service and operational efficiency.
The Head Horticulturalist will supervise a team of gardening and landscaping staff, ensure sustainable and visually stunning plant care, and work directly with visitors and stakeholders to address needs and resolve concerns. This position also collaborates closely with the Head Arborist to support the current Level 2 arboretum and coordinate projects that maintain and enhance its collections and visitor experience, as well as with the General Crew Supervisor on special and annual grounds projects.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Oversight
- Direct, train, and supervise a team of gardeners, landscapers, and horticulture staff.
- Develop and implement seasonal and annual landscape maintenance schedules.
- Promote professional growth, safety, and high performance among team members.
Design & Installation
- Plan and execute new garden and landscape installations, including plant selection, hardscape integration, and seasonal displays.
- Align landscape design with site aesthetics, sustainability goals, and visitor experience standards.
- Collaborate with the Arboretum Manager on planting designs and projects that interface with arboretum spaces.
Customer Service & Issue Resolution
- Serve as the primary contact for horticulture-related inquiries, feedback, and complaints.
- Respond quickly to visitor or stakeholder concerns regarding plantings, maintenance, or installations.
- Ensure remediation work is completed to the highest horticultural and aesthetic standards.
Operations & Maintenance
- Oversee plant health care. Collaborate with General Crew Supervisor on soil management, irrigation systems, turf care, and pest management.
- Maintain accurate inventories of plant materials, tools, and equipment.
- Ensure all work meets environmental, safety, and regulatory guidelines.
Collaboration & Coordination
- Partner with the Arboretum Manager to maintain Level 2 arboretum plantings and grounds to accreditation standards.
- Work closely with the General Crew Manager on special and annual grounds projects, including pruning, leaf removal, and turf care.
- Coordinate schedules, staffing, and resources for overlapping or joint projects.
- Support special events, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, or a related field required; Master’s preferred. Comparable experience will be considered.
- Minimum 7 years of leadership experience in public gardens, large-scale landscaping, or horticultural operations preferred.
- Proven track record in landscape design, plant care, and team leadership.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- ISA Certified Arborist or other relevant professional certifications preferred.
- Ability to work outdoors in all conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Traits
- Creative, hands-on leader with a passion for exceptional landscapes.
- Commitment to sustainability and environmental best practices.
- Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Health, dental, and retirement benefits.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
Gardener
Position: Gardener
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Pay: Starting at $17 per hour
Uniforms and equipment provided
Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, Basic Life insurance, 401(k) with Employer matching after 1-year, Paid Time Off.
Cave Hill Cemetery is seeking an individual to provide specialized groundskeeping and quality landscape maintenance. The position being filled is full-time and the operating schedule is Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Being team minded and having good attention to detail is necessary. You should enjoy working outside in a park-like setting in any kind of weather conditions. If you have experience in landscaping, farming, or gardening and pay attention to detail, you may be perfect for this job. Email resume to our CFO & Director of HR, dawnd@cavehillcemetery.com or come to the Administration Offices to fill out an application.
As a Gardener, you would work under the oversight of our Horticulture and Landscape Manager. You will receive training to assist in the management of a collection of sections within the cemetery. You would tend to Special Care plantings, juvenile trees, prepping the grounds and plantings for burial services to occur, as well as, work on special landscaping projects, and a number of other grounds projects.
Responsibilities would include:
- Working as a team to make sure the grounds are always cared for properly.
- Pruning maintenance of small and new trees.
- Planting of trees, shrubs annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees
- Trimming hedges and shrubs.
- Hand weeding of planting beds.
- Mulching of trees, shrubs, and planting beds.
- Watering of trees, shrubs, lawns, and planting beds.
- Monitoring and maintaining plant health.
- Wide-ranging groundskeeping duties.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older at the time of hiring.
- Must be legally authorized to work within the United States of America.
- Ability to operate a utility vehicle.
- Ability to be on your feet for a prolonged period of time when required.
Landscape Assistant
Position: Landscape Assistant
Pay: Starts at $17 per hour
Uniforms and equipment provided
Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, Basic Life insurance, 401(k) with Employer matching after 1-year, Paid Time Off.
Cave Hill Cemetery is seeking an individual to provide specialized groundskeeping and quality landscape maintenance. The position being filled is full-time and the operating schedule is Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. We are looking for full-time crew members. Being team minded and having good attention to detail is necessary. You should enjoy working outside in a park-like setting in any kind of weather conditions. If you have experience in landscaping, farming, or gardening and pay attention to detail, you may be perfect for this job. Email resume to our CFO & Director of HR, dawnd@cavehillcemetery.com or come to the Administration Offices to fill out an application.
As a Landscape Assistant, you would work under the oversight of our Horticulture and Landscape Manager. You would receive training and daily direction and work closely within a team of landscapers, participating in a variety of tasks to achieve a functional and pleasant outdoor environment.
Responsibilities would include:
- Working as a team to make sure the grounds are always cared for properly.
- Pruning maintenance of small and new trees.
- Planting of trees, shrubs annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
- Trimming hedges and shrubs.
- Hand weeding of planting beds.
- Mulching of trees, shrubs, and planting beds.
- Watering of trees, shrubs, lawns, and planting beds.
- Monitoring and maintaining plant health.
- Wide-ranging landscaping duties.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older at the time of hiring.
- Must be legally authorized to work within the United States of America.
- Ability to operate a utility vehicle.
- Ability to be on your feet for a prolonged period of time when required.