Natural Resources Management Horticulturist

This horticulturist position is responsible for helping lead the holistic care of the Arboretum’s Natural Resource Management areas including woodland, wetland, and grassland habitats and related garden spaces such as the Bennet-Johnson Prairie, Spring Peeper Meadow, Dayton Wildflower Garden, Green Heron Pond, and other key areas. The horticulturist strives for excellence in leading landscape maintenance and horticultural care tasks including: invasive plant and weed management practices such as mechanical, chemical, burning, and other control methods; overseeing plant health projects including pest and disease scouting, monitoring, and treatment along with soil testing, soil amendments, root system investigations, and other tree preservation measures; developing and building new trails and pathways; planting, pruning, weeding, watering, mulching, and mowing operations; proposing and executing natural resource management plans; and ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of equipment.

This position instructs, directs, trains, and oversees the work of senior gardeners, gardeners, assistant gardeners, student workers, interns, and volunteers in assigned tasks and the safe usage of tools and equipment. The position also manages volunteer recruitment, training, supervision, and retention for assigned areas and may support other departmental projects depending on priorities, including but not limited to greenhouse work, seasonal displays, landscape and arboricultural operations, and special group projects. The horticulturist may also assist in grant writing efforts.

This position is considered an essential employee responsible for maintaining essential operations, responding to weather events, and other landscape operations during weather related emergencies and other University closures.

This position is a full-time (12-month) Civil Service position. Hours are generally 7am to 3:30pm, M-F. Weekend and evening work is occasionally required.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Essential Functions
Horticulture and Natural Area Leadership: 65%

• Oversee natural area restoration and maintenance including vegetation, wildlife habitat, and trail maintenance in assigned areas
• Oversee and direct work of senior gardeners, assistant gardeners, volunteers, and others in assigned areas
• Lead weeding, mulching, and brush chipping in assigned areas
• Lead mowing, string trimming, and leaf cleanup in assigned areas
• Maintain and properly and safely use equipment.
• Maintain proper plant records in assigned areas
• Support teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, and cooperation among assigned team

Planting and Plant Health: 25%

• Oversee the safe application of pesticides and soil amendments, and maintain associated records
• Coordinate with plant health specialist to conduct pest and disease scouting, monitoring, and treatments and oversee other plant health practices
• Lead planting, pruning, and integrated pest management of trees, shrubs, and annual and perennial plant collections within assigned areas; conduct seed collection and assist in propagation of native plants

Additional Operational Support: 10%

• Perform snow removal operations including hand shoveling and equipment operation
• Serve as an essential employee for weather related response and other University closures
• Assist in Arboretum education and communication priorities by occasionally providing tours, contributing to Arboretum publications and marketing initiatives, assisting with educational programing, and interacting with visitors.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in horticulture, arboriculture, conservation, or closely related field plus at least two years of experience; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years
• Must have and maintain a valid MN driver’s license.
• Within one year of employment, must possess and maintain a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator’s license.
• Within one year of employment, must earn and maintain ISA Certified Arborist credential.
• Required to work in all weather conditions in all seasons and may require evening and weekend work as need
• Must be able to perform manual labor including frequent lifting/carrying/transporting loads up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years experience in natural resource management, such as participating in controlled burns, invasive species removal, and tree care.
• Experience working in a public garden.
• Ability to operate equipment related to grounds management functions, including front-end loaders, tractors, and pickup truck mounted snow plows, leaf blowers, riding and push mowers, string trimmers, salt/sand spreaders, snow blowers, and dump trucks.