Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ivy Decorator

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a detail‑oriented Ivy Decorator — a specialist in designing, installing, and maintaining ivy installations, living walls, and vertical gardens for commercial and residential spaces. This hands‑on role blends horticulture knowledge, product selection, on‑site installation skills, irrigation and media management, and client communication. The Ivy Decorator is responsible for the aesthetic and long‑term health of planted features, ensuring plant selection, layout, and maintenance protocols align with client goals, building constraints, and sustainability best practices. Ideal candidates have experience with modular living wall systems, vertical mounting methods, soil and soilless media, pest management, and routine maintenance programs.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Horticulture Technician
Landscape Installer
Interior Plant Maintenance Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Ivy Decorator / Living Wall Specialist
Vertical Garden Project Manager
Horticulture Operations Manager
Head of Interior Plant Design or Green Wall Studio Lead

Lateral Moves:

Landscape Designer
Interior Designer (with focus on biophilic design)
Facilities Plant Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead end‑to‑end design and execution of ivy installations and living walls: conduct site surveys, measure wall surfaces, assess light, humidity and structural load, and produce installation drawings, plant palettes, and material lists optimized for longevity and aesthetics.
Create detailed installation plans and site layouts that integrate structural supports, mounting systems, irrigation lines, drainage, and electrical requirements for pumps and lighting while coordinating with building codes and facility management.
Select appropriate ivy varieties, climbing plants, and companion species based on microclimate, light exposure, indoor air conditions, client preferences, and long‑term maintenance considerations to ensure sustainable growth and aesthetic integrity.
Specify and commission modular green wall systems, tray systems, felt or pocket systems, and trellises as appropriate; evaluate product performance, warranty terms, and supplier capabilities to recommend the best solution per project budget and timeline.
Design and install automated irrigation systems and fertigation schedules for vertical planting systems; calibrate flow rates, pressure, and timers and set up remote monitoring where applicable to prevent overwatering or dry spots.
Prepare and mix planting media and soil blends for vertical installations, ensuring correct pH, drainage, nutrient profile, and structural stability for root anchorage on vertical planes.
Lead on‑site installation crews during ivy and living wall buildouts: supervise mounting of frames, attach waterproofing or root barriers, install irrigation lines, plant and stabilize specimens, and perform quality checks during and after installation.
Implement plant training and anchoring techniques (wiring, trellising, clips) to guide ivy growth patterns on vertical surfaces without damaging built elements or compromising fire and safety rules.
Create and maintain tailored maintenance plans that cover pruning, pest and disease monitoring, fertilization, irrigation tuning, seasonal adjustments, and plant replacement cycles to preserve design intent and plant health.
Conduct regular maintenance visits and emergency call‑outs: perform pruning, deadheading, replacement planting, irrigation troubleshooting, nutrient adjustments, and remedial treatments for pests, rot, or transplant shock.
Monitor and remediate plant health issues using integrated pest management (IPM) practices, safe chemical and biological controls, and record keeping for treatments and outcomes; liaise with certified applicators when needed.
Coordinate with architects, interior designers, builders, and general contractors to sequence installations around construction schedules, ensure waterproofing and root containment, and protect finishes and MEP work during installation.
Prepare accurate project estimates, time sheets, materials takeoffs, and post‑installation reports; track costs against budgets and recommend cost‑effective substitutions that meet design and performance metrics.
Maintain client relationships through regular communications, site walkthroughs, documentation of care instructions, and the delivery of care guides and seasonal reports to demonstrate value and contract compliance.
Oversee inventory, procurement, and quality control of plant stock, media, pots, irrigation components, and structural hardware; manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and ensure timely deliveries.
Produce photorealistic concept visuals, plant placement diagrams, and specification packets for client approvals; present design rationales emphasizing light, maintenance, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Implement safety protocols for personnel working at height, confined spaces, and with electrical equipment; maintain and enforce PPE use, ladder/hoist procedures, and site hazard mitigation practices.
Train junior technicians and subcontractors on correct planting, irrigation commissioning, pruning standards, and maintenance documentation to ensure consistent service delivery across projects.
Keep detailed records of plant warranties, maintenance logs, irrigation settings, humidity and light conditions, and plant health histories to support troubleshooting and long‑term care strategy.
Audit installed systems periodically to identify performance gaps in irrigation, drainage or plant survival; propose corrective retrofit plans (e.g., adding sensors, adjusting media, replacing failing modules) and coordinate implementation.
Integrate sustainability practices into all stages—use low‑impact media, recommend drought‑tolerant varieties where appropriate, implement water‑saving irrigation techniques, and source locally grown plant stock whenever feasible.
Manage client budgets and contract scopes professionally, scope change management during installations, and produce clear proposals for post‑installation maintenance contracts to secure recurring revenue.

Secondary Functions

Support pre‑sales activities by preparing scopes of work, maintenance contract templates, and case studies that highlight ROI and client benefits of living wall installations.
Assist marketing and business development with site photography, project write‑ups, and technical content for SEO and lead generation focused on “living walls,” “vertical gardens,” “green walls,” and “interior plant design.”
Contribute to continuous improvement by documenting installation best practices, developing standard operating procedures for different living wall systems, and participating in post‑project debriefs.
Coordinate with facilities teams to integrate plant care schedules with building cleaning and HVAC service windows to minimize disruption and protect plant health.
Help evaluate and trial new horticultural products, irrigation technologies, and mounting systems to improve installation speed, plant survival rates, and maintenance efficiency.
Participate in client education workshops or staff training sessions to teach basic plant care, emergency procedures and how to interact with installed ivy and vertical elements safely.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Vertical garden and living wall system specification and installation (modular trays, pocket systems, felt systems, trellis installations).
Horticulture expertise: plant selection, propagation basics, pruning, transplanting, rooting media and nutrient management.
Irrigation system design and commissioning for vertical installations (drip, pressure compensating emitters, fertigation control).
Pest and disease diagnosis plus IPM (integrated pest management) treatments and safe chemical application awareness.
Media formulation and water retention management for soilless and soil‑based vertical systems.
Structural and mounting knowledge: load calculations, waterproofing interfaces, anchoring methods, and coordination with building trades.
AutoCAD, SketchUp or equivalent drawing software skills for producing installation layouts and details.
Project estimating and takeoff experience, including labor, materials, and warranty provision for green wall projects.
Technical documentation skills: maintenance manuals, commissioning reports, system schematics, and plant schedules.
Use of monitoring sensors (soil moisture, humidity, light) and basic data interpretation to optimize irrigation and plant performance.
On‑site supervision and crew management, including scheduling, safety briefings, and quality control.
Familiarity with local building codes, fire safety restrictions for living walls, and relevant health & safety regulations.

Soft Skills

Client‑facing communication and presentation skills to translate technical constraints into compelling design solutions.
Strong problem solving and troubleshooting mindset to rapidly address irrigation failures, plant decline, and site conflicts.
Attention to detail and aesthetic judgment to maintain design intent while ensuring plant vigour.
Time management and organization to balance installations, maintenance schedules, and client deliverables.
Collaboration and stakeholder management across architects, contractors, suppliers and facilities teams.
Adaptability and resourcefulness when working in varied site conditions and with evolving client requirements.
Mentoring and training ability to upskill junior staff and ensure consistent service standards.
Commercial awareness to align maintenance upsell opportunities with client budgets and lifecycle needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus formal horticulture or technical certificate, or
Apprenticeship or equivalent hands‑on experience in plant installation and maintenance.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Botany, Environmental Design or related field.
Certifications in horticulture, irrigation (e.g., Certified Irrigation Technician), or arboriculture are an advantage.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horticulture
Landscape Architecture
Interior Design
Botany
Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of professional experience in interior plant care, living wall installation, vertical garden installation, or landscape installation, with at least some experience working on vertical/indoor systems.

Preferred: 3–5 years of direct experience designing, installing, and maintaining living walls or ivy installations for commercial or high‑end residential clients, including portfolio evidence of completed projects and documented maintenance programs.