Horticulturalist

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits :

• 401(k) matching
• Company car
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

WJ Landscape Maintenance, Inc., is a professional landscape firm that builds and maintains the highest quality and luxury residential landscapes in the Greater Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County areas. Our teams are passionate about their work, dedicated to the landscape profession, and most importantly, to our clients. As we continue to grow, we are looking for passionate and experienced professionals to help drive our business growth and manage our teams for greater success.

Position Overview

The Horticulturist serves as the companys lead authority on plant health, care, and aesthetics within the Maintenance Division, reporting directly to the Account Manager and President. This role is responsible for establishing and implementing horticultural best practices that promote vibrant, healthy, and visually stunning landscapes across all managed properties. The ideal candidate combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for mentorship and operational excellence.

The Horticulturist plays a key role in developing and overseeing training and the implementation of seasonal schedules and standards for fertilization, pruning, and plant care, ensuring a consistent and elevated level of maintenance across all properties.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Health Diagnosis & Treatment : Conduct site visits to assess plant performance, diagnose issues such as pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies, or drought stress, and recommend appropriate treatments using integrated pest management (IPM), organic, or chemical methods, based on client preferences and in compliance with regulations.

Horticultural Standards & Maintenance Program Development : Establish, document, and manage best practices and seasonal schedules for plant care tasks including fertilization, pruning, soil health, overseeding, and enhancement planting. Develop and oversee a robust maintenance calendar tailored to the needs of high-end residential landscapes, ensuring consistent execution across all crews and properties.

Training & Crew Development : Train and mentor field crews and supervisors in plant identification, proper pruning techniques, horticultural standards, seasonal care routines, and safe application methods. Foster a culture of continuous learning and pride in craftsmanship.

Quality Assurance & Site Audits : Perform regular audits and site visits of client properties to verify adherence to horticultural standards, proactively identify areas for improvement and enhancement recommendations. Communicate feedback clearly and support corrective actions when needed.

Plant Selection & Enhancements Support : Collaborate with Account Managers and enhancement teams to advise on plant selection and placement that aligns with site-specific conditions, long-term performance, and design goals.

Internal Resource Development : Create and maintain internal reference materials such as plant ID guides, pruning standards, seasonal care checklists, and product usage documentation to support company-wide consistency and knowledge-sharing.

Skills and Requirements

Minimum 10 years of professional experience in horticulture or high-end landscape maintenance

Degree in horticulture, plant science, landscape management, or related field preferred

Strong understanding of plant health, pruning standards, soil health, pest / disease identification, and irrigation needs

Strong familiarity with Southern California plant material and regional climate impacts

Experience training and mentoring teams

Bilingual in English & Spanish strongly preferred

Exceptional communication skills and ability to lead through influence

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with learning landscape software (e.g., Aspire)

Valid California Drivers License

Certified Horticulturist (ASHS), California QAC or QAL, or ISA Certified Arborist certification preferred. Additional credentials through NALP or similar organizations are a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

We are a drug-free workplace and require satisfactory background screening.