American Horticultural Society
Administrative Assistant to CEO

Position Summary

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant with excellent administrative skills and a track record of executing multiple projects with a high attention to detail. The position provides support to the President & CEO and supports Board committees.

About The American Horticultural Society

Founded in 1922, AHS is a national organization with approximately 22,000 members. Our national programs include the Great American Gardeners Awards, the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, a Travel Study program, and a Reciprocal Admission Garden program. AHS publishes The American Gardener magazine six times per year as a primary membership benefit. The AHS website offers resources (www.ahsgardening.org) to horticulturists, gardeners, and other constituents. AHS maintains an active presence across multiple social media platforms.

The Society is headquartered at River Farm, a 26-acre garden property overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA. By joining AHS’ outstanding team of professionals, you can help share the critical role of plants, gardens, and green spaces in creating healthy livable communities and a sustainable planet.

Responsibilities

While there may be other job-related responsibilities and tasks, some of which may be more substantive than administrative, this job description is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position.

  • Managing CEO’s calendar, including arranging and coordinating all appointments and meetings, as well as follow-up activities
  • Ensuring meeting preparation for CEO, proactively planning to support all deadlines including organizing and circulating key background information and/or supporting documentation in preparation for meetings and appointments
  • Assisting with email/Inbox, tracking responses, deadlines, and other necessary

correspondence

  • Drafting email correspondence, reports, and other written documents, as needed
  • Document management, including creating documents in appropriate form, scanning and archiving documents, managing paper flow and maintaining an efficient filing system, both paper and electronic
  • Setting up and coordinating quarterly board meetings and all required materials
  • Supporting board committees with scheduling, assignment tracking, and preparation
  • Assisting with special projects and assignments, as needed

Qualifications

  • College degree or significant relevant experience
  • Minimum of three years’ similar experience, preferably working with senior executives
  • Must be highly organized and able to remain calm and professional while managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to prioritize and complete competing demands in a timely fashion
  • Must be extremely attentive to detail
  • Requires excellent interpersonal skills, as well as verbal and written skills
  • Ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information
  • Experience interacting with multiple levels of an organization, including board members and other constituents including donors
  • Ability to take initiative and function independently
  • Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required; comfort in a Mac environment helpful; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge a plus; comfort learning new technologies a major plus
  • Interest in gardening, horticulture, historic preservation, and/or the environment a plus

Hours, Compensation & Benefits

AHS offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. This part-time position requires 20 hours per week. The salary starts at $22,500, and is commensurate with experience, skills and qualifications.

AHS offers multiple health insurance options, including a no-cost option for employees, vision and dental coverage, and a 2% contribution to a 401(k) account on the employee’s behalf. We provide annual vacation time (pro rated for part-time positions), which increases over time, and most major holidays.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands of the position include regular work on a computer for all or part of the work day, as well as regular communication with colleagues, both verbally and in writing, using tools such as email and Zoom. The physical demands of the position also include clerical duties in the office, including operating office equipment (e.g., a copier) and occasionally lifting materials and supplies that typically weigh 30 pounds or less. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should forward a resume and cover letter to Suzanne Laporte, CEO at slaporte@ahsgardening.org. Applications without a thoughtful cover letter will NOT be considered. A rolling application process will apply. No phone calls, please. We can respond only to candidates whom we are contacting for an interview.

AHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or disability.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.