Weekend Conservatory Manager

Description Montgomery Parks is currently seeking a Weekend Conservatory Manager to help care for plants, provide customer service to visitors, and securely open and close the Conservatory at Brookside Gardens, a public horticulture display garden located in Wheaton, Maryland. This is a year-round, part-time 30-hours/week position, working all weekends and holidays, and one to two weekdays. The ideal candidate is energetic, enthusiastic about plants, and enjoys interacting with people. About the HFEE Division and Brookside Gardens The Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division contributes to the preservation and maintenance of our parks' natural and cultural resources. Brookside Gardens is one of Park's public gardens, displaying horticultural exhibits that are designed, installed, and maintained using ecological landscape practices as a model and inspiration to more than a million visitors per year. Our public gardens offer a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults are planned to excite curiosity and encourage lifelong learning, with the vision of mobilizing residents of Montgomery County as dedicated stewards of the natural world.

Learn More About Brookside Gardens:

https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/ About Montgomery Parks Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 1,000 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, including trails, and natural spaces across Montgomery County, with team members working in a wide range of roles including park operations, public programs, park planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect.

Learn More About Montgomery Parks:

https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ For more information about the Seasonal Hiring process and application status for Montgomery County, please contact mcp-parkscareers@montgomeryparks.org . Examples of Important Duties Conservatory Operations & Plant Care Open and close the Conservatory during scheduled weekend and holiday hours Assist Conservatory Gardeners with installation and maintenance of plants within the glass display space Perform daily plant care, including watering, grooming, planting, weeding, and pruning Ensure plants are properly watered while minimizing impact on visitors Facilities Maintenance & Presentation Maintain clean, safe, and unobstructed aisles throughout the Conservatory Remove debris promptly to ensure a polished, welcoming environment for visitors Visitor Experience & Engagement Provide visitors with respectful guidance on Conservatory rules and permit requirements Respond to visitor questions and requests in a positive, helpful, and informative manner Volunteer Coordination & Team Support Direct and collaborate with volunteers on a variety of horticultural maintenance tasks Support effective execution of daily operations through teamwork and volunteer engagement Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications High School diploma or GED. One year of customer service experience Applicants must be at least 18 years or older

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous horticulture experience in a greenhouse or conservatory. Previous experience of handling insects or other live animals. Previous experience with interpretation, teaching, or public speaking/engagement. Important Skills and Characteristics Follows detailed instructions accurately and maintains strong attention to detail, including recordkeeping Reliable and punctual Strong communication, leadership, and customer service skills, including confidently addressing groups Able to work in hot, humid conditions and safely operate tools and equipment Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, plant care, pest/disease identification, and greenhouse systems Works well independently and as part of a team Supplemental Information May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing. Working Conditions Primarily works inside a glass Conservatory with exposure to temperature extremes such as high heat, humidity, and cold damp conditions. Must be able to perform strenuous work, including the ability to: stoop, bend, stretch, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds. Works independently and as part of a team. Works all weekends and holidays and two weekdays per week. Additional Information This position is not eligible for benefits. A fingerprinting and background investigation will be completed prior to hire. Additional duties and full list of Job Description available upon request. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.