Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
Who We Are:
We are the Scott Arboretum & Gardens which consists of 400+ acres of Swarthmore College’s academic and residential campus and the Crum Woods. The Arboretum’s plant collections and garden spaces surround all of the campus buildings and outdoor athletic areas. Our department consists of all aspects of the Scott Arboretum & Gardens which include horticulture, learning and engagement, and grounds operations.
The opportunity:
The Associate Director, Horticulture provides leadership and professional horticultural and managerial expertise in overseeing horticultural operations of the Scott Arboretum & Gardens and the team of 14 horticulturists and others that perform this work. Assists the executive director with the planning and implementation of Arboretum efforts as they relate to horticulture and the gardens. Leads sustainability work for the landscapes, gardens and Crum Woods. Assists in working with the College’s construction and planning efforts as they relate to the campus landscape, and with design professionals working on these projects. Works closely and must cooperate on many aspects of Grounds Operations. Assumes responsibility for the Horticulture operating budget. Assists and participates in the Arboretum’s educational and outreach programs. Works to fulfill the missions of the Arboretum and Swarthmore College.
Essential Responsibilities
HORTICULTURAL MANAGEMENT
- Assumes full responsibility for horticultural maintenance of campus and the Scott Arboretum & Gardens to maintain aesthetics and safety, fulfill the mission of the Scott Arboretum, and perform horticultural maintenance to the highest standards possible in a sustainable way.
- Demonstrates familiarity with the identification and maintenance of a broad range of trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, annuals, and turf grass. Has advanced knowledge to provide proper horticultural care in a timely, efficient manner.
- Leads sustainability efforts for the College that pertain to the Arboretum’s landscape, storm water management, the Crum Woods and Creek, and all land owned by Swarthmore College.
- Demonstrates the ability to decide a course of action relative to soils and fertilization, and is up-to-date on accepted practices relative to pruning and planting in order to provide current and approved methods of horticultural science.
- Demonstrates familiarity with the common diseases, insects, weeds, and cultural problems of landscapes and turf in the mid-Atlantic region in order to make proper decisions for the daily maintenance and care of the landscape.
- Designs gardens and supervises the work in the Arboretum's production nursery and growing area to complete projects approved by the Collections Committee.
- Assists in, or performs, landscape design for construction or renovation of the garden areas on campus. Participates in the Arboretum’s Collections Committee. Oversees the implementation of all landscape renovation and projects done by the College’s horticultural staff.
- Oversees the design, implementation and eventual maintenance of all landscape projects done by the College for the purpose of building construction or renovation. This involves supervision of in-house and contracted gardeners and associated trades people.
- Coordinates and oversees all aspects of Crum Woods renovation, restoration, and maintenance studies and projects. Implements the deer herd management project in the woods. Cooperates with designers, researchers and outside governmental and regulatory agencies on matters of the Crum Woods.
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT
- Meets regularly, as asked to do so, with design teams and construction companies working on campus projects to provide leadership in relation to landscape design and desires and intents of the College and Arboretum.
- Assists in supervising snow removal and winter storm cleanup, and dealing with cleanup associated with severe weather emergencies.
- Shares responsibility with A. Director of Grounds Operations for supervising approximately 40 employees to prepare for all large outdoor College functions (e.g., commencement, Alumni Weekend), ensuring that all set-ups and tear-downs are completed in a timely manner.
- Ensures that all equipment necessary for performing tasks (from hand tools to tractors) are readily available and in good working order.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Performs all aspects of project management (budgets, consultants, design, implementation and construction) of projects related to: landscape and garden installation, landscape sustainability, and Crum Woods and Crum Creek.
- Cooperates on project management of campus building construction or renovation, campus infrastructure or other projects which affect the College grounds.
BUDGET/CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
- Prepares the Horticulture division’s annual operating and capital budgets in order to meet current needs.
- Approves and reviews monthly all expenditures in order to ensure accurate charges and control of expenditures.
- Supervises the equipment purchase, use and care for horticulture operations, and approves all expenditures for maintenance and/or replacement.
- Prepares bids, writes the contracts, and supervises outside contractors for masonry projects.
- Reconciles and approves time sheets for grounds department employees.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly supervises 14 full-time employees, consisting of: 2 horticulture supervisors, 2 assistant horticulture supervisors, 10 horticulturists
- Assists in supervising: up to 10 temporary, part-time, student, and summer workers.
- Oversees the departmental use of Scott Arboretum volunteer help.
Who you are:
- Adapts with a positive attitude to new work situations, people, ideas, procedures, and organizational structures, in order to accommodate an evolving work environment.
- Builds successful relationships with constituents and coworkers. Communicates and works effectively as a team member, in order to maximize the effectiveness of the office.
- Exhibits maturity, reliability, composure, and stability under pressure in order to handle on-the-job challenges.
- Understands and abides by a high standard of professional ethics in order to ensure the integrity of the organization.
- Works successfully with diverse others and upholds the College’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in order to help the organization realize its commitment to excellence through diversity.
- Is optimistic and constructive in work conduct and outlook.
What you bring:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in horticulture or landscape design or related field.
- Five to ten years of direct supervisory experience required.
- Experience in landscape sustainability, native ecosystem restoration, contract management, landscape design, public garden administration, college/university arboretum administration are desirable.
- Demonstrated leadership in prior work experiences.
- Must possess a pesticide applicator's license and a valid driver's license.
Preferred
- Master’s degree in horticulture or landscape design.
- Experience in working in a public garden or college/university setting.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time, frequently moves equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Working Conditions
- Must be able to work in extreme hot and extreme cold conditions.
- Required to travel regularly to work sites.
- Must be available to be on-call one weekend per month.
- Ability to work outside of regular work hours as needed, or in case of emergency.
- Occasionally may work weekends or evenings beyond standard business hours in order to complete projects or meet heavy demand and to staff numerous events staged on weekends and evenings.
What You Will Get:
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.
We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by September 15, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
The market range for this position is $83,000-$138,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
PA Criminal Clearance Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
MVR Clearance Required by Position
Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.
Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook
Retirement Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.