The Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech seeks applications for the position of Garden Director and Instructional faculty (administrative/professional faculty, 12-month, non-tenure-track). The responsibilities of the position are twofold: instructor in the Landscape Horticulture and Design major and Director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden. These complementary responsibilities consist of the following:
Garden Director: Lead the Hahn Horticulture Garden (HHG) – a 6-acre teaching and display garden on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. As part of a major land-grant university, the garden’s mission encompasses teaching, outreach, and research, with an emphasis on enhancing the Horticulture undergraduate curriculum by serving as a living laboratory for students in several courses. The HHG outreach mission focuses on youth and adults in the community and regularly partners with Virginia Cooperative Extension and associated organizations. The HHG generates operating revenue via facility rentals, a membership program, special events, and gifts. The director will supervise three staff members, student workers and interns, plus a dedicated group of community volunteers. The director will plan and oversee implementation of all design/redesign projects within the Garden, in collaboration with garden horticulturists. The director will oversee garden programs and outreach to the public. Effective communication skills and a dedication to customer service and collaboration with other faculty, staff, units, administrators, and stakeholders are required. The HHG Director will work with the CALS Office of Development in developing and implementing a fund-raising strategy targeting individual and corporate gifts to build the HHG endowment.
Teaching: Develop and teach courses for the Horticulture-based landscape design curriculum (2-3 courses per year) Courses can be based on instructor’s interest/experience but should include components such as basics of sustainable design including graphics, site assessment, planting design, and hardscape construction. Additional course content will address issues and identify solutions in regards to storm water management, green infrastructure, invasive plants, and biodiversity. Courses ideally will utilize the HHG to some extent for hands-on student projects. The instructor will assist with student advising including leadership of the NALP student team (National Association of Landscape Professionals) and will solicit input and support from green industry professionals.
As we transition from a Horticulture Dept. to a School model, the position will report to the Director, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, CALS.
The job announcement can be found here: https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/postings/72912