Core Garden Horticulturist - UMN Arboretum, Chanhassen, MN

About the Job This horticulturist position is responsible for leading the holistic care of the Arboretums Core Gardens and Collections areas including, but not limited to, the Maze, the Hedge Collection, the historic Azalea Trial Beds, the nationally accredited Pine collection, 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. Qualifications 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 six years • Must have and maintain a valid MN drivers license. • Within one year of employment, must possess and maintain a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicators 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 • Three years experience working in a public garden • Five 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 and Benefits Pay Range: $71,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience Time Appointment: 100% Appointment, 12 month Position Type: Civil-Service 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 opportunit...