Education Horticulturist
Posted 3 days ago
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Job Description
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Horticulture & Collections, the education horticulturist position is responsible for leading the holistic care of the Arboretum's education-focused gardens and collection areas, including but not limited to the Farm at the Arb Foodscape and Fruitful Way, the Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center landscape, the Learning Center youth education landscape and greenhouse, and the Sensory Garden. The horticulturist strives for excellence in leading landscape maintenance and horticultural care tasks such as planting, pruning, weeding, watering, mulching, and mowing operations; leading invasive plant and weed management practices including mechanical, chemical, 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; proposing and executing plans for garden space renovation including bed preparation, plant selection, transplant, establishment, and garden design; and ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of equipment.
This position coordinates closely with Education Department staff to provide guidance and expertise in garden design, plant selection, and horticultural practices that reflect the department's educational and programmatic goals while also maintaining a balance between aesthetic standards and education program participants' hands-on direct experience with plants. As such, the position is expected to participate in a supportive role in occasional educational programming in assigned garden spaces.
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, natural lands management, and special group projects.
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.
Schedule
This position is a full-time (12-month) 40 hour/week, benefits and overtime eligible, Civil Service position. Hours are generally 7am to 3:30pm, M-F although weekend and off-hour work is occasionally required.
Essential Functions
Horticultural Leadership: 70%
• Allocate staff resources and oversee work of senior gardeners, 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
• Support teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, and cooperation among assigned team
Garden Design, Planting, and Plant Care: 15%
• Leverage the vision and intent for each assigned garden space to oversee garden design, plant selection, and long term planning, in collaboration with the curation and education departments.
• Lead planting, pruning, and integrated pest management of trees, shrubs, and annual and perennial plant collections at a high technical level
• Conduct pest and disease scouting, monitoring, and treatments and oversee other plant health practices
• Oversee the safe application of pesticides and soil amendments, and maintain associated records
• Coordinate with the curation department to ensure all records and plant labels are inventoried and accurate.
Education Support: 10%
• Serve a liaison to the education department to ensure horticultural care, plant selection, garden design, and project schedules align with the education department's programmatic needs and use of garden spaces.
• Assist in facilitation of classes and other programs in education areas.
Additional Operational Support: 5%
• Maintain proper plant records in assigned areas
• 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.
• Other related job duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
• BA/BS in horticulture or related field and two years of experience or equivalent six years combination of education and/or practical experience in horticulture and landscape design.
• Must have and maintain a valid MN driver's license.
• Within one year of employment, must earn and maintain ISA Certified Arborist credential.
• Within one year of employment, must possess and maintain a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator's license.
Preferred Qualifications
• Five years experience working in horticultural care of formal and educational garden areas.
• Experience supporting educational programing through horticulture
• Experience working collaboratively and leading a team towards a common goal.
• 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.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $34.46; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment Category : 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)
Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
- Financial counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
- Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call .
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
About the U of M
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).
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