Horticulture Jobs in Cambridge, MA

About the Opportunity

Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor provides leadership and oversight of the daily operations of the university’s grounds staff on the Boston campus. The Supervisor is responsible for ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with university standards while maintaining a landscape that supports and enhances the university’s arboretum. While this position does not perform bargaining unit work, the successful candidate will blend horticultural expertise and leadership skills to guide grounds maintenance operations and preserve the distinctive character of our urban arboretum. This role requires an understanding of the challenges of caring for diverse plant collections as well as a commitment to creating and maintaining outdoor spaces that are reflective of our global university community.

The Horticulture & Landscape Supervisor is considered essential personnel. This is a condition of employment. Job description and schedule are subject to change due to University needs and demands.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Urban Forestry, or closely related field required; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in landscape or grounds maintenance required

• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience managing landscape or grounds crews required

• Experience working in urban environments, arboretums, or university settings preferred.

• Strong knowledge of plant identification and care, particularly woody and perennial species suitable for USDA Zone 6b

• Understanding of urban soil conditions, turf care, and remediation techniques

• Knowledge of sustainable landscaping practices, stormwater/green infrastructure, and integrated pest management

• Familiarity with New England climate challenges, seasonal planning, plant selection, and snow/ice removal

• Experience with landscape equipment, irrigations systems, and grounds safety standards

• Valid Massachusetts driver's license with clean driving record with a valid DOT Certificate

• Massachusetts Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 36 & 37) or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions

• Must lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly

• Extensive walking across campus (73-acre Boston campus)

• On-call availability for snow removal emergencies and storm response

• Occasional evening and weekend work for special events and programs

• Must successfully complete a criminal background check and motor vehicle record check

• OSHA 10 (or equivalent) safety certification

• OPSI Hoisting Engineer 2A/1C certification

• Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) through PGMS

• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification/ISA Certified Arborist

• Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist

• Experience with GIS mapping and digital tree inventory systems

Key Accountabilities

Campus Landscape Operations

• Coordinate daily assignments for 8–12 grounds staff, ensuring efficient operations across 11+ acres of campus landscape and hardscape.

• Assess work quality, provide training on proper care techniques for trees and plant collections, and support skill-building and professional development.

• Enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with Northeastern University policies.

• Manage and monitor snow removal/weather-related emergency crews, including assigning tasks, inspecting work, and ensuring operational standards are met.

• Maintain high-traffic areas and manage snow removal operations to ensure pedestrian safety during New England winters.

• Oversee irrigation systems and support water conservation initiatives.

• Collaborate with campus departments to support special events and ceremonies and participate in Arbor Day and other arboretum-based educational programs.

• Ensure campus grounds consistently meet PGMS Honor Award standards.

Horticultural Excellence

• Oversee maintenance of signature campus features, including the Curry Student Center Koi Pond and Veterans Memorial Gardens.

• Plan, manage, and implement seasonal plantings and displays featuring native New England species and international specimens to ensure year-round campus appeal.

• Maintain campus ecosystems that support bee hotels and pollinator initiatives.

Position Type

Facilities