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Position Title: Circles & Planting Supervisor

Salary Range: $18.62 – $23.10

Reports To: Director of Planning and Curation

Supervises: 1-5

Requirements: City of Buffalo residency and valid NYS Driver’s License

Position Summary:

The Circles & Planting Supervisor is responsible for developing annual maintenance and planting plans as well as the daily care and maintenance of the landscaped circles and adjacent areas as well as other assigned beds within the historic Olmsted park and parkway system to meet the mission, vision and goals of the Conservancy. This position is part of the Horticulture Department and reports to the Director of Planning and Curation.

This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week with non-exempt status according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Overtime hours may be required at certain times, with supervisor approval.

Benefits:

This position is Class 1 according to the Conservancy’s employee handbook and as such benefits include the following:

The Conservancy offers medical, dental, and vision plans with an employer provided allocation toward monthly premiums. A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match. Paid vacation, personal and sick time. In addition, employees receive up to 13 ½ paid holidays per year.

Additional Benefits include: a golf season pass for employees, as well as ongoing in-house training on various topics, flexible schedule.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for developing the annual maintenance and planting plans for the Conservancy managed circles and other beds including but not limited to:
  • The eight-(8) historic Olmsted circles, both the central rotary, bordering quad areas;
  • Other assigned or specified beds within the park system;
  • This listing is not all-inclusive and may be modified and/or updated in writing at any time;
• Responsible for the daily maintenance of the above listed spaces to include, planting, weeding, mulching, watering and bed/soil management;
• Trains, mentors and manages assigned seasonal workforce in performing, planning, and maintenance work and ensures work assignments and expectations are met in coordination with the Director of Planning & Curation;
• Must review and ensure proper biweekly time documents, prepare annual staff performance evaluations and adhere to disciplinary procedures, as necessary for all staff reporting to this position;
• Coordinates and collaborates as necessary with the greenhouse staff, appropriate district supervisors, special gardens manager and Director of Planning & Curation on work plans, including appropriate plant material and planting timelines;
• Coordinates with district supervisors and/or the Director of Operations in the mowing and maintenance of any turf areas within their purview and related bed maintenance, and on any supplemental maintenance necessary to complete assignments per plan;
• Coordinates and communicates regularly with the Special Gardens Manager and the Volunteer Coordinator regarding potential volunteer projects, planting or maintenance assistance as needed,
• Assists the City of Buffalo’s greenhouse Head Grower as required or requested in the planning, production and distribution of greenhouse plant material systemwide; serves as the point person for the greenhouse when city staff are unavailable;
• Monitors workload, performance, and all safety standards in the field. Reports personnel and park incidents, and leads by example with quality work ethic, mentoring and training;
• Responsible for safe care and use of equipment utilized, as well as coordination for equipment usage and immediately reporting repair needs;
• Attends conservancy operational staff meetings and Olmsted Naturally (FLORA) committee meetings;
• Is responsible for keeping up to date with current trends, horticulture and gardening practices, plant health, etc., and when appropriate is afforded the opportunity for continuing education and to train and update staff;
• Is expected to use horticultural best practices and adhere to Olmsted historic principles;
• Is flexible with maintenance or any workload revisions given changing priorities, weather, or critical need situations;
• Is expected to assist district staff with snow removal (salting, shoveling, snow blowing and plowing; along with assisting forestry in emergency tree work;
• May also be required to push mow or use a riding lawn mower and weed whack park areas.

Additional Expectations:

• Aligns with the Conservancy’s commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accountable working environment for all staff and park system for all park users.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications and Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• City of Buffalo residency within six-(6) months of hire date;
• A minimum of three-(3) years related experience equivalent to job responsibilities; degree in horticulture or related field is preferred;
• Class B – CDL is a plus;
• Knowledge of preferred methods and progressive techniques for park maintenance, horticulture, native and heirloom plants, plus industry standards and requirements for green sustainability, gardening, grounds, decorative features, and related equipment;
• Proven management experience and track record of quality and effective team oversight, with an ability to motivate others and produce effective results;
• Ability to train related workforce on-site, and assist in making appropriate job assignments, monitoring progress, and communicating effectively and respectfully with all District Supervisors and the Director of Operations, and all other staff, the public and volunteers;
• Understanding, knowledge and practice of Olmsted Park maintenance guidelines, project priorities, safety techniques and workforce policies and procedures;
• Resourcefulness in utilizing staff, equipment and/or supplies approved within the annual budget to the greatest benefit of the Conservancy;
• Must be willing to obtain a New York State pesticide applicator license within 6 months of employment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Primarily outdoor hands-on work, potentially under extreme weather conditions with some office work managing administrative tasks;
• Job duties may require an employee to bend, reach, stoop, sit, stand and/or walk for extended periods of time, as well as lift and/or move heavy objects which at times could be up to 50 lbs.;
• Job duties may require employee to driving distances between park locations and/or operate heavy equipment;
• Must continuously foster a team approach to working in the park environment;
• Weekend and holiday work, as needed;
• Flexible hours depending on workload and ever-changing priorities;
• Must be able to adapt to ever changing resources and limited budgets.

This job description is intended to identify and list the responsibilities, duties and qualifications for the position. It cannot be considered all-inclusive, however, as changing organizational circumstances can result in changes to some of those responsibilities, duties and qualifications. Further, every task supporting the functioning of the position may not be listed or not listed in detail. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment.

Updated: March 2025

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