Principal Horticulture Specialist

Department: Buildings & Grounds
Location: Sunnyside – Harrisonburg
Reports to: Assistant Director of Buildings & Grounds
FLSA: Non-Exempt

 Starting pay will vary based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications  

Job Summary

The Principal Horticulture Specialist plans, develops, and manages the therapeutic, aesthetic, and ecological landscapes throughout Sunnyside’s 150-acre, Arboretum-accredited Life Plan Community.

Working collaboratively with the Buildings & Grounds team, this position helps ensure the campus provides a beautiful, safe, sustainable, and welcoming environment that enhances residents’ quality of life and supports overall well-being.

The Principal Horticulture Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in plant health, landscape sustainability, horticultural practices, and landscape management. This position also supports resident engagement through gardening activities, educational programs, and collaboration with resident-led environmental initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual horticultural plans with the Assistant Director of Buildings & Grounds.
   
• Design, install, and maintain seasonal flower displays, perennial gardens, container plantings, and specialty landscape features.
   
• Monitor trees, shrubs, lawns, and ornamental plants and address plant diseases, pests, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stress.
   
• Recommend and implement sustainable landscape practices, including water conservation, soil health initiatives, integrated pest management, and native plantings.
   
• Evaluate existing landscapes and identify opportunities to improve beauty, function, sustainability, and resident experience.
   
• Provide horticultural guidance and technical support to the Grounds Manager and Grounds team.
   
• Coordinate planting, pruning, fertilization, irrigation, mulching, and seasonal landscape maintenance.
   
• Train and coach Grounds staff on proper planting, pruning, plant identification, horticultural practices, and landscape maintenance techniques.
   
• Maintain gardens and outdoor spaces that promote resident enjoyment, connection with nature, wellness, and community engagement.
   
• Collaborate with the resident Green Committee on education, habitat needs, native plantings, and invasive species.
   
• Develop and facilitate gardening workshops, educational presentations, demonstrations, and other horticultural programs for residents.
   
• Assist with landscape improvement projects, renovations, master planning, and capital improvement planning.
   
• Maintain horticultural inventory and assist with budgeting and purchasing.
   
• Coordinate with landscape contractors, arborists, irrigation specialists, nurseries, vendors, and other external partners.
   
• Maintain records related to horticultural activities, treatments, projects, inventories, and regulatory requirements.
   
• Participate in snow and ice management operations as needed to maintain safe and accessible outdoor spaces.
   
• Follow all organizational safety policies, applicable OSHA standards, and federal and state requirements.
   
• Ensure the safe handling, storage, use, and application of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and other horticultural products.
   

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Plant Science, or a related field preferred.
   
• Three to five years of professional horticulture or landscape management experience.
   
• Experience managing ornamental landscapes, trees, shrubs, seasonal color programs, and plant health care.
   
• Experience supervising, training, or leading landscape or grounds crews preferred.
   
• Extensive knowledge of plant identification, plant health care, pruning, soils, irrigation, and landscape design principles.
   
• Ability to identify and diagnose plant diseases, insect infestations, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stressors.
   
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
   
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
   
• Ability to work effectively with residents, staff, contractors, vendors, and organizational leadership.
   
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with landscape planning or design software is a plus.
   
• Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) preferred.
   
• ISA Certified Arborist certification preferred but not required.
   
• Current state pesticide applicator license, or ability to obtain one within six months of employment.
   

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position works throughout the community’s 150-acre campus in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, slopes, wet or muddy areas, and temperature extremes.

The position requires frequent walking and the ability to work outdoors for extended periods. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and may occasionally be required to lift or move items exceeding 75 pounds. Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing ladders, standing, walking on uneven terrain, and operating landscape and grounds maintenance equipment are required.

Our Culture

Mission: Inspiring a Spirit of Community and Well-Being

Sunnyside Communities’ staff are true professionals who shine in everything they do through our SHINE program:

• Service before Self
   
• Hospitality with Heart
   
• Inspiring Excellence in Each Other
   
• Nothing Less than the Best
   
• Enjoy Your Journey
   

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career opportunity, we offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• Personal Leave
   
• Paid Sick Leave
   
• Paid Vacation Leave
   
• Paid Holidays
   
• Choice of 3 Medical Plans, including an HSA Option
   
• Prescription Drug Coverage
   
• Dental Coverage
   
• Vision Coverage
   
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
   
• Company-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
   
• Company-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
   
• Flexible Spending Account
   
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
   
• Supplemental Life, Accident & Cancer Insurance
   
• Tuition Assistance
   
• Uniform Reimbursement
   
• License Reimbursement
   
• MD Ortho – Free Telemedicine & Direct Orthopedic Services
   
• Garner Health – Expert Doctor Matching & Healthcare Savings
   
• Free Membership to Our On-Site Wellness Center
   
• On-Site Credit Union
   
• On-Site Hair Salon
   
• On-Site Massage Therapy & Esthetician Services
   
• Discounted Movie Tickets
   
• Employee Emergency Relief Fund
   
• Employee Assistance Program