Job Opportunities
Locust Grove is committed to diversifying its workforce and audience. Veterans and candidates of any gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and cultural background are encouraged to apply for any of the job listings below.
Director of Horticulture
Reporting to the Executive Director/Board of Trustees of the Young-Morse Historic Site (Locust Grove and Locust Lawn). Fulfill the nonprofit’s mission to ignite passion for exploration in experiencing art, science, history and nature through the lives of Samuel F.B. Morse, the Young’s and the people who helped shape the sites.
Thousands of people visit the sites yearly to enjoy tours, education programs, museum exhibits and special events. The Director of Horticulture will work to ensure the thorough integration of the Horticulture Team into the mission, goals and objectives of the estate. The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of management and long term care of the Locust Grove historic gardens and grounds.
Responsibilities
• Plan, develop, implement, and maintain landscape gardens and grounds, including perennial, annual and vegetable gardens, and landscape beds at the Visitor Center and Greystone Manor.
• Develop annual budgets and work plans for the Horticulture Team.
• Schedule, train, supervise, encourage, and assess garden volunteers, staff, interns and contractors. Supervise the grounds and garden employees. Recruit garden volunteers on an ongoing basis for support.
• Collaborate with the Board (Executive Director) and Facilities Committee to establish and implement safety and risk management training and programs, and update information on grounds, trails and infrastructure needs.
• Research, plan, implement and document garden restoration projects.
• Maintain and operate the greenhouse, irrigation systems, and pest control. Gain approval and control expenses pertaining to the gardens and grounds.
• Develop, organize, and implement horticulture educational programs, publications, and tours to increase site visitation and rentals though the use of the gardens and grounds. Coordinate with the Education program staff and the Museum Engagement Coordinator to plan and promote these programs and events.
• Plan, budget and execute events for the public on the Locust Grove grounds/gardens. Lead volunteers, sponsors, and staff to host these events and develop creative ways to bolster and diversify community engagement. Act as Lead speaker at events that showcase Locust Grove’s gardens and grounds. (ie. Enchanted Gardens, Spring Garden Faire, Harvest Fest, Pollinator events, and Holidays in the mansion).
• Coordinate maintenance projects with the Facilities Team when appropriate
• Perform administrative duties as assigned by Executive Director/Board of Trustees.
• Effectively work with and communicate professionally with other staff, volunteers and visitors to provide customer service and uphold the organization’s mission.
Qualifications and requirements:
The Director of Horticulture must have comprehensive knowledge and proven skills for the following topics:
• Knowledge in landscape maintenance practices, all aspects of plant care, pesticide regulations (NYSDEC pesticide applicators license or willingness to obtain license)- category 3A required.
• Advanced degree preferred, preferably in a related field such as Horticulture, Plant Science or Landscape Architecture. Continuing education in professional horticulture and gardening a plus.
• Training and experience in horticultural best practices and botanical fields (ie. pollinators, invasive plants, native plants, plant disease, and pest management.)
• Ability to represent Locust Grove externally by leading tours and giving presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including donors, visitors, Board members, staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work long hours, holidays and weekends as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability with computers, Microsoft software programs
(Word/Excel/ Outlook), social media platforms, horticulture related software, and Quickbooks as needed.
• Ability to operate electric equipment and power tools.
• Team player willing to collaborate on all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of landscape management and operations, programs, events, development and communications.
• Experienced leadership skills in managing staff and volunteers to accomplish goals and execute at a high level.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
Work Environment and Physical Demands: This role performs their work outdoors in all weather conditions, as well as in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, laptops, phones, mobile devices, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do the following: climb ladders and lift weights up to 50 pounds, sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel.
Salary range from $60,000 - $63,000. Submit resume and cover letter to info@lgny.org.
Weekend Event & Visitor Services Coordinator
A coordinator position in Weekend Event and Visitor Services at Locust Grove has responsibilities that include welcoming all guests, directing guests to various events, and providing information to support their overall experience.
A coordinator must demonstrate the highest level of courtesy and inclusivity; be knowledgeable about the museum, its programs and events; interact with callers and fellow staff; remain calm under pressure; and resolve occasional conflicts to ensure an exemplary visitor experience.
The position is part time with an hourly wage of $18 and reports to the Director of Operations. A coordinator must be available to work weekends and evenings to assist with scheduled events and visitor center activities. Many of the scheduled events are weddings, speaker events, vendor shows and assorted programs taking place at the Locust Grove visitor center.
Evening and weekend availability is required for approximately 16 to 24 hours per week.
This role has the potential to lead to a future full-time position.
Specific duties to be performed:
Greet visitors and guests warmly and exhibit exemplary customer service and inclusivity.
Maintain presence as onsite staff member to assist with visitor center events.
Answer questions and work with the guests to resolve concerns and enhance their event.
Guide caterers, florists, other vendors, and guests for pre-event set up and coordination for all parties.
Host event/wedding tours of Locust Grove as needed.
Verify/check rental contract information to ensure the event is properly set up.
Provide clear communication to key staff at Locust Grove to facilitate event progress and address concerns.
Ensure guest concerns are handled with courtesy and priority and elevated to the Director of Operations.
Assist with visitor and guest phone calls and other tasks assigned by the Director of Operations.
Respond to emails and calls for potential events/weddings and for booked events/weddings.
Cross-train in other roles to have the flexibility to assist fellow staff members as required.
Required Experience:
1-3 years customer service/hospitality experience.
Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Google Suite.
To apply, please fill out the application below and return it with a resume to office@lgny.org or mail to 2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Tour Guide
Locust Grove tour guides connect audiences to the museum and its vast 15,000-piece collection. As Locust Grove’s primary experience facilitators, they are the face of Locust Grove to many visitors. Guides must be gracious and show respect toward diverse audiences. They must be knowledgeable and enthusiastic, have good communication and teaching skills, be willing to work as a team, and project professionalism.
Guides are required to master all materials given in training sessions, as well as review relevant books and materials as directed by senior staff to develop accurate and engaging tours.
Guides are required to dress per the personnel policy, must be available to work at least two weekend days per month when the property is open to the public, and be available to work during peak season in May-November and holiday programming in December. This position is part-time with an hourly wage of $15. Guides report to the Education Coordinator and work collaboratively with other departments.
Specific duties to be performed:
Provide guided tours and/or informal interpretation of the Historic House Museum, Grounds, and special exhibitions to visitors on a rotating basis with other guides
Support other programming and outreach initiatives such as public programs
Provide security in the Historic House Museum, keeping visitors in view, maintaining tour pathways, preventing physical contact with the collection, etc.
Protect the collection and monitor and report any condition variances, unexpectedly missing objects, etc. to the Education Coordinator and Executive Director
Report unusual/problematic building and/or grounds conditions to the Education Coordinator and Executive Director
Be familiar with and execute emergency response procedures: respond to/report accidents to appropriate staff and/or emergency personnel and fill out an emergency report for incidents they witness or are directly involved in
Participate in scheduled staff meetings and training sessions.
Some other duties as required.
To apply, please fill out the application below and return it with a resume to office@lgny.org or mail to 2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Museum Shop Staff
Museum shop staff are responsible for welcoming every guest graciously, providing exemplary and proactive sales service, and encouraging all guests to enjoy and support the museum. They play a key role in managing guests and the Museum Shop, while providing support for all museum departments.
Museum shop staff must demonstrate the highest level of courtesy and inclusivity; be knowledgeable about the museum, its programs, and products; communicate effectively with guests, callers, and fellow staff; remain calm under pressure; and resolve occasional conflicts to ensure an exemplary visitor experience.
This position is part-time with an hourly wage of $15 and reports directly to the Office Administrator. Museum shop staff must be available to work weekend days and occasional evenings; be comfortable with handling cash and the responsibilities that entail; be able to efficiently operate a Point-of-Sale system, Windows computer, and telephone. They must have sufficient mathematical skills to make change, compare the cash receipts at the end of the day to cash register totals, calculate attendance figures, etc. Experience in retail or hospitality industries is a welcomed attribute.
Specific duties to be performed:
● Staff the front desk in the museum shop
● Greet visitors and guests warmly and exhibit exemplary customer service and inclusivity
● Understand the programs, membership levels, merchandise, and discounts offered by the museum and proactively promote them
● Operate the POS effectively so that sales are accurately entered throughout the day
● Keep an accurate count of guests on the attendance sheet as the enter and exit the grounds
● Open and maintain a cash drawer
● Restock brochures, gift shop, etc. in the Visitor Center
● Keep the front desk area clean and tidy
● Provide information about the area to guests, including directions to nearby restaurants, accommodations, other attractions, etc.
● Answer incoming phone calls and redirect as needed. Collect phone messages message for fellow staff when they are not in
● Monitor entrance as guests enter the grounds
● Alert the Office Administrator of equipment malfunctions or maintenance needs, as well as potential security threats
● Dust museum shop shelves and clean windows as necessary
● Some other duties as required
To apply, please fill out the application below and return it with a resume to office@lgny.org or mail to 2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
