Core Garden Horticulturist - UMN Arboretum

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is hiring two horticulturist positions responsible for the holistic care of the Arboretum's Core Gardens and Collections areas.

One position will focus on the Home Demonstration Garden, Rose Gardens, the Rock Garden, tree and shrub collections, and other key areas.

The second position will focus on the Bailey Shrub Walk, Harrison Sculpture Garden, Rhododendron Collection, Chinese Garden, tree and shrub collections, and other key areas.

Please note this location is located in Chaska, MN.

Core Garden Horticulturist

Core 5: Shrubs, Sculpture, Chinese, Rhododendron

This horticulturist position is responsible for leading the holistic care of the Arboretum's Core Gardens and Collections areas including, but not limited to, the Bailey Shrub Walk, Harrison Sculpture Garden, Rhododendron Collection, Chinese Garden, tree and shrub collections, and other key areas.

Core 3: Home Demo, Roses, Irises

This horticulturist position is responsible for leading the holistic care of the Arboretum's Core Gardens and Collections areas including, but not limited to, the Home Demonstration Garden, Rose Gardens, the Rock Garden, tree and shrub collections, and other key areas.

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 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.

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 Health: 20%

• 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 department.
• Coordinate with the curation department to ensure all records and plant labels are inventoried and accurate.
• 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

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.
• Other related job duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in horticulture, arboriculture, or closely related field plus at least two years of experience; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least 6 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

• Four (4) years experience working in a public garden
• Five (5) years experience leading the design and maintenance of formal garden areas and woody plant collections in a public garden setting.
• 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 Range: $32.69 - $34.46, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 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

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 employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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: http://diversity.umn.edu

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.

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).