Mediterranean Garden Society
Mediterranean Garden Society
Job Opportunities at Sparoza
The Mediterranean Garden Society (MGS) is seeking to fill the position of Head Gardener at the historic garden of Sparoza, in Paiania, Greece, just outside of Athens. This garden, now owned by the Goulandris Museum and managed by the Mediterranean Garden Society, was begun in the early 1970’s by Jackie Tyrwhitt, an Englishwoman who came to live in Greece after retiring from a career in City Planning. Today this four-acre garden is an important example of one of the earliest private waterwise gardens in Greece with a significant collection of mediterranean and other climate-adapted plants. The Mediterranean Garden Society administers this garden as a showcase for Mediterranean dry gardening with a focus on demonstrating resilience in a changing climate. More information on the garden at Sparoza and the Mediterranean Garden Society can be found here.
Head Gardener post
Primary Responsibilities
The Head Gardener will have the overall responsibility for maintaining the garden, developing the plant collection, propagating plants and maintaining the nursery, including seed collecting and sorting, and maintaining the irrigation systems and manual watering. The Head Gardener will also provide direction to the Assistant Gardener who will undertake many of the tasks managed by the Head Gardener. The Head Gardener and Assistant Gardener will coordinate on recording rainfall and unusual weather events.
The Head Gardener will coordinate with an administrative assistant who will manage communications and correspondence related to tours, volunteers, workshops and special use of the garden, such as photo shoots or private events. The Administrative Assistant will manage the Instagram account in cooperation with the Head Gardener who will supervise the communication of images from the garden.
Tours of the garden will primarily be given by trained volunteers. The Head Gardener will provide horticultural tours of the garden for special tour groups or guests.
There will be two Plant Exchanges a year. The Head Gardener will be responsible for ensuring the nursery produces plants for the events and will coordinate with the Assistant Gardener and the Attica branch head of the MGS to run the Plant Exchange events.
The MGS publishes The Mediterranean Garden, a 4-times yearly journal in print and online format. The Head Gardener will provide 3 articles for the journal per year, along with drawings and/or photographs, as applicable.
The Head Gardener will submit reports on the garden to the Administrative Committee (AC) of the MGS three times per year and will present an annual report at the MGS annual general meeting of members. In consultation with the AC, the Head Gardener will be required to prepare an annual budget for the garden and submit monthly accounting for incoming and outgoing funds.
The Head Gardener is encouraged to provide talks to promote the activities and mission of the MGS and Sparoza. These events will be coordinated with the MGS AC.
Qualifications
Horticultural training and knowledge of Mediterranean plants. Excellent plant identification and maintenance knowledge. Practical experience in a high-quality garden open to the public. Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to work with others, including volunteers, and to engage well with garden visitors. Applicants must have the right to work in the European Union. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Greek language and culture is desired.
Applications
There is flexibility to make this position three-quarter or full-time. Competitive salary will be based on experience and commitment. Submit CV and cover letter to MGS Secretary. The MGS will accept applications until 31 January 2025 and expects to fill the position by February or March 2025.
THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN is the registered trademark of The Mediterranean Garden Society in the European Union, Australia, and the United States of America