Horticulturist

Description Job Title

Horticulturist

Plant Science & Conservation

Horticulture Supervisor, Horticulture Educator, or Natural Areas Supervisor

Gardeners, Volunteers, Seasonal Staff, and Intern(s)

Full‑time, Non‑exempt, Hourly

March 2024

Ability to work a flexible schedule; work may require evening, weekend, and occasional holiday hours depending on the season.

Applies strategic and tactical horticultural skills in the essential functions of installation, care, and maintenance of collections, displays, exhibits, lawns, and cultivated areas of the Garden. Evaluates opportunities for containerized displays and beds. Supports and participates in design planning and execution. This includes monitoring and programming irrigation, fertilization needs, implementing cultural controls, and applying IPM in assignment areas to shrubs, perennials, annuals, and trees.

• Perform general gardening duties such as pruning, planting, weeding, mulching, and removing debris. Supervise tasks and work with gardeners daily, providing training in proper horticultural techniques as needed to teammates.
• Monitor and inspect plants for health deficiencies and problems, identify proper corrective measures and apply appropriate pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• Participate in the research, design, and selection of new plant material and garden beds and containers. Assist with the development and design of new and existing garden areas.
• Contribute to weekly garden task scheduling and planning. Monitor irrigation systems, implement effective program changes, and enter work order requests for repairs.
• With managerial approval, source and request plant purchases, supplies, and materials such as trees, shrubs, seeds, mulch, soil and garden tools and equipment using the established department process.
• Lead tours, provide demonstrations, and answer questions from garden guests and staff on horticultural topics. Teach and lead classes, and workshops on various horticulture‑related topics to the public.
• Work with contractors, consultants, and temporary employees and aid in supervising and training interns.
• Operate garden equipment such as utility vehicles, chainsaws, blowers, mowers, tillers, skid steer, tractors, trucks, forklifts, and other heavy machinery after training.
• Occasional travel required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Associate’s degree in horticulture or related field and 3+ years of experience in landscape installation or maintenance, or an equivalent combination of training, skills and experience.

• Efficient and effective in execution of tasks. Ability and willingness to adapt to a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in all weather conditions. Ability to organize work, maintain schedules, and problem‑solve. Decision‑making skills and ability to prioritize.
• Guest service‑focused with the ability to relate kindly and respectfully with persons internal and external to the Garden. Must demonstrate the Garden’s Core Values in all relationships at work and behave ethically in all business matters.
• Able to demonstrate horticultural best practices based on real examples.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Zone 7 plants and their proper care.
• Must attain and maintain these credentials:
  1) First Aid and CPR;
  2) Alabama Pesticide Operator’s License (OTPC), and
  3) Motor Vehicle operation insurability and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.
• Aptitude and experience with safely operating large equipment, such as trucks, tractors, and riding mowers required.
• Skilled in using hand tools and operating small power equipment required. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) are required. Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field from an accredited program and 1+ years of experience in landscape installation or maintenance, or an equivalent combination of training, skills and experience.

• Physical Demands:
  Requires continuous physical activity such as occasional lifting (50 to…