Horticultural Assistant

The Assistant Horticulturist assists with leading the maintenance and enhancement of the grounds at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala. This role oversees landscape maintenance, irrigation, plant health, seasonal color, and contractor performance while ensuring the property is maintained to the highest standards. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a passion for horticulture, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to creating Primary Responsibilities: Oversee all aspects of landscape installation, maintenance, and enhancement throughout the property, ensuring the highest standards of appearance and plant health. Manage a comprehensive grounds maintenance program, including mowing, edging, aeration, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, planting, mulching, weed control, pest management, disease prevention, and seasonal cleanup. Implement and grow the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to monitor and control insects, diseases, weeds, and other plant health concerns. Coordinate and oversee the installation and maintenance of seasonal annual flower displays, including two annual color change-outs. Monitor irrigation system with contractor and ensure all lawns, trees, shrubs, flower beds, arena landscaping, and container plantings receive appropriate watering and nutrition. Collaborate with horticulture teams at Roberts Quarter Horses and Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club to support organizational initiatives and share best practices. Supervise landscape contractors, ensuring work quality meets company standards. Develop and implement winter plant protection plans, including coordinating frost protection activities based on species-specific temperature thresholds. Evaluate and recommend new horticultural technologies, equipment, and products to improve operational efficiency and plant health. Coordinate preventative maintenance and repair of grounds equipment with the property mechanics and maintain chemical equipment, and supply inventories within budget and in compliance with Florida Department of Agriculture regulations. Supervise, coach, train, and develop Grounds team members, including assisting with recruiting, hiring, onboarding, cross‑training, performance management, and progressive discipline. Promote a culture of safety by providing training, reinforcing safe work practices, communicating expectations, and monitoring compliance with safety standards. Maintain sufficient operational knowledge to perform essential duties during employee absences when Perform other duties as assigned. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate occupying this position. Associates will be required to perform any other job‑related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. Physical Requirements: Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions, including heat, humidity, cold, rain, and other environmental conditions. Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach throughout the workday. Safely lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Operate landscaping equipment, motor vehicles, and hand tools safely. Ability to work on uneven terrain and around active maintenance and construction areas. Qualifications, Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities: Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in plant science, horticultural science, or agricultural sciences. Minimum of 3 to 5 years of related work experience. Knowledge of turf, ornamental horticulture, annual flowers, and arboriculture is preferred. Possess a valid driver’s license. Possess or can obtain a Florida Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License within the first 90 days of employment. The World Equestrian Center is managed by Columbus Hospitality Management, a company committed to providing quality service and memorable guest experiences in a positive and welcoming work environment. We are focused on supporting the needs of our team through our commitment to the family/work life balance and by We are proud to be a Drug Free Workplace/EOE. All applicants will be required to submit to a background check prior to employment. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr