Horticulturist – Outdoor

Job Description

Summary: This position is responsible for the selection and addition of plant species into the Garden’s Living Collections for assigned areas to support plant conservation and build research capacity. The living collection includes herbaceous perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and vines, and a critical component of this position is the expansion of assigned collections according to MBG policies and guidelines. Design, installation and maintenance of landscapes and individual plants must be conducted to the highest standards. Researching and recording cultivation information is essential, as is using this information to modify the growing environment as necessary to ensure plant health. Accurate and detailed record keeping and plant labeling is critical.

About Us

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is:
“To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.”

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the nation’s oldest botanical gardens in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.

The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, historic architecture, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered flora.

For more than 167 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation.

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is driven by the need to protect and conserve plants and their ecosystems. We seek to inspire and educate all members of our local region about the benefits of being good environmental stewards through responsible and sustainable use of natural resources.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Works with Supervisor to target and develop plant collections and landscapes according to Garden policy and area descriptions.
Utilizes Index Seminum, the Garden’s Targeting Database, and other resources to select species and develop the garden’s collections.
During species selection, conducts research entering information on plant habit and cultivation into the Targeting Database.
Utilizes internal data sources such as the Living Collections Management System, Targeting Database and external data sources to aid in individual plant cultivation and landscape maintenance decisions.
Records relevant procedures in Living Collections Management System to support integrity of records for short term operations and long term institutional knowledge.
Exhibits the highest level of ethical conduct in obtaining and sharing plant material and ensures compliance with MBG policies.
Performs plant record keeping at the highest level ensuring that all plants in the collection have accession labels at all times and all maintenance information regarding the collection (i.e. new plantings, divisions, moves, deaths, etc.) is up to date at all times.
Performs a wide range of landscape/maintenance tasks important to the cultivation, preservation, protection and transplanting of existing plants; including but not limited to soil preparation, planting, staking, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, training, IPM and pesticide application as needed.
Understands, consistently monitors, and implements appropriate irrigation requirements for a variety of plant material and utilizes technology to tailor irrigation schedules to assigned collections.
Requests propagation of plants in the collections to ensure survival, paying particular attention to rare and threatened species and those of wild origin.
Applies landscape/maintenance tasks to ensure care of assigned garden areas meets Missouri Botanical Garden expectations.
Plants and maintains displays in a manner that enables plant genetics and accessions data to be preserved and allows the public to easily distinguish plants when reading plant labels.
Completes landscape designs and oversees the layout and installation of plant material.
Plans, in advance, for minor and major landscape changes and requests plant material in time for it to be propagated and grown to size by nursery staff.
Operates technical equipment, submits maintenance requests in a timely manner, and maintains general care of tools and equipment necessary for operations to include but not limited to: vehicles, forklifts, pallet trucks, carts, lifts, Cushmans, tractors, cultivators, mechanical sprayers, and a variety of hand tools.
Participates in field work locally, nationally and internationally for plant collecting expeditions, as well as, horticulture capacity building.
Assigns, leads and directs the work of volunteers to deliver and complete projects.
Completes assigned tasks as needed in support of seasonal displays and annual flower shows.
Ensures that all tool storage areas and work areas are kept clean and tidy.
Performs assigned weekend watering rotation duties.
Performs snow removal on Garden grounds, when called upon, to maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors.
Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately to supervisor.
Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards.
Maintains a professional demeanor, answering informal questions from the public as needed when working on Garden grounds.
Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
Meets expected attendance guidelines.
Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
Behaves & communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Qualifications/Experience:
Minimum of (3-4) years hands-on, relevant horticulture work experience required.
Knowledge of plant material and landscape maintenance techniques with an emphasis in herbaceous perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees and vines.
Knowledgeable in safe operating procedures of various landscaping tools and equipment and proficient in their maintenance.
knowledge of appropriate and effective watering practices for a wide range of plant material.
Proficient ability to identify various plant fungus, pests and pathogens and apply sound, appropriate controls.
Proven ability to convey technical concepts to other Garden staff and volunteers.
Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner answering questions about the living collections.
Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends and holidays for annual watering schedule and occasional snow and ice removal.
Knowledge of living collections, curation and plant recording.
Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests.  All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date.  The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines.  When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:
Associate’s or B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany and/or related field required.
An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Ability to possess and maintain valid driver’s and pesticide applicator’s licenses.
Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Physical Demands:
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment)
Must be able to work in bright sunshine with probable high UV levels and must be able to work outdoors year-round
May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, lift operation, etc.).
Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching for extended periods of time– 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet
Ability to wear Garden issued Personal Protective Equipment
Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing)

Supervisor: Manager, Landscape and Plant Collections

Additional Information

The Garden offers a competitive benefit package including, but not limited:
On-Demand Pay
Paid Holidays and accrual of paid sick and vacation time, up to 3 weeks of vacation per year.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
A competitive retirement plan with up to a 6% match after one year of service.
Work-Life Balance

Application Instructions

Apply Online At:
https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/mbg/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/5080