Gardener

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Looking for year-round employment all at one location? Our Gardener 2 positions provide you with one main job site in the heart of Seattle in the Washington Park Arboretum.  All tools and equipment are provided.  The UW also offers full benefits, including several retirement, health, and dental plans to pick from as well as workers compensation, life and disability insurance, pre-tax savings opportunities, vacation AND sick leave, 12 paid holidays annually, assistance with child and elder care, a free regional transit pass, tuition exemption benefit, work/life balance, and more!

This posting will be used to fill multiple openings.

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG) has two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum (WPA) and the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH).  Our mission is sustaining managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through plant research, display, and education.

The 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum includes a vibrant collection of more than 40,000 plants from around the world with trails to explore and programs for youth and adults.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

At the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, we value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, fairness, and opportunity for all. We see implicit and explicit exclusion from green spaces like botanic gardens as an injustice that shapes our past and present and must be countered as we move into the future.

As a community, we believe that working to achieve equity and promote inclusion is both crucial and complex; we embrace the continuous commitment, the collective growth mindset, and the humility required to make a meaningful transformation.

For the full statement of commitment, visit https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/ 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations and Maintenance (80%)

• Maintain plants through accepted horticultural practices.
• Manage weeds, including invasive and noxious weeds, through Integrated Pest Management strategies and practices, including hand and mechanical removal. Removal of woody brush. Follow up control techniques and site restoration.
• Prepare and mulch landscape beds and tree rings with arborist woodchips. Assist in remediation of compact and poorly drained soils, cultivate existing and new beds to improve soil health, apply organic mulches.
• Operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems such as manual watering equipment and automatic irrigation clocks and systems, including operations and troubleshooting.
• Prune trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials for health, clearance, and form using best horticultural practices.
• Plant and transplant shrubs, trees, perennials, and annuals in a variety of sizes and containers. Fertilize as directed.
• Prepare sites, including soil prep, plant and rock installation, trail work, following landscape design drawings and details.
• Submit plant condition, dead plant reports and maintain other horticulture records; with training, use ArcMap software for mapping plant collections.
• Remove leaves and debris, rake and groom display beds. Perform perennial plant maintenance.
• Use a variety of hand and power implements and tools, such as rakes, shovels, pruners, and loppers; and commercial power equipment such as mowers, hand-held and backpack blowers, chain saws, line trimmers, weed trimmers, and sprayers.
• Operate power and motorized equipment, including: tillers, small trucks, utility vehicles, riding lawn mowers, and sod cutters. With safety and operator training, may operate tractors, back-hoe, brush chipper, dump truck and stump-grinder.
• Keep leads and supervisor informed of project status/work progress, needed materials and equipment.
• Know and comply with occupational health and safety regulations specific to the work and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• May apply pesticides as needed and in consultation with the Plant Health Specialist.
• Clean, repair, and maintain equipment, vehicles, and tools.
• May install and maintain signage, plaques, benches, fencing, rockwork, small trails, and stairs.
• Assist in large arborist projects including flagging, operating a woodchipper, and general ground support.
• Lead volunteers and community service projects, lead work parties, tours and provide public outreach for visitors. Includes collaboration with Arboretum Foundation (non-profit support partner).
• May lead individual volunteers and horticulture staff in horticulture group projects.
• Comply with all UW and UWBG policies and procedures.
• Support other horticultural and curatorial staff, including task assistance, informal training and orientation and team building.
• Support all management directives and the vision and values of UWBG.
• Provide excellent customer service through effective, courteous and professional interactions with visitors, clients, colleagues and the Arboretum community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Communications and Administrative (15%)

• Open, review, and respond to email communications daily.
• Accurately complete online timesheets by established deadlines.
• Create and submit plant reports (dead sheets, condition reports, and planting maps) for documentation of plant collection changes, using ArcMap software (training provided as needed).
• Actively participate in meetings as scheduled.
• Research and write web blogs relating to horticulture for the public under supervision.

Training and Education (5%)

• Participate in trainings related to the core job functions.
• Participate in trainings and education related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Core Competencies

• Continuously promote a safe work environment.
• Exhibit a professional work ethic.
• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness.
• Manage stressful situations that can arise on public property
• Manage changing priorities effectively.
• Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems.
• Be responsible and accountable.
• Demonstrate attention to details.
• Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
• Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Physical ability to do required work AND one year of experience or training involving grounds maintenance, plant care, cultivation and landscape installation OR equivalent education/experience.
• Washington State Public Pesticide Operator’s License or willingness to obtain license within 6 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of basic plant ID and horticulture.
• A college degree in horticulture or related field.
• Demonstrated successful ability in taking direction, working well on your own, with others and as a member of a team.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety & Health Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) regulations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent products.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May be required to accept variable work shift, including occasional weekend work.
• Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using approved safety precautions.
• Ability to lift and move heavy material may be required.
• Must be able and willing to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Approved footwear and appropriate clothing must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job.
• Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.