Horticulturist I - Outdoor North Gardens

About the role

The successful candidate will be responsible for the selection and addition of plant species into the Garden’s Living Collections to support plant conservation and build research capacity. The living collection includes herbaceous perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and vines.

Responsibilities

• Works with Supervisor to target and develop plant collections and landscapes according to Garden policy and area descriptions.
• Selects species and develops the garden's collections using Index Seminum, the Garden’s Targeting Database, and other resources.
• Conducts research entering information on plant habit and cultivation into the Targeting Database.
• Aids in individual plant cultivation and landscape maintenance decisions using internal and external data sources.
• Records relevant procedures in the Living Collections Management System to support integrity of records for short term operations and long term institutional knowledge.
• Ensures compliance with MBG policies and ethical conduct in obtaining and sharing plant material.
• Performs plant record keeping ensuring all plants in the collection have accession labels and all maintenance information is up to date.
• Conducts a wide range of landscape/maintenance tasks including soil preparation, planting, staking, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, training, IPM and pesticide application as needed.
• Understands and implements appropriate irrigation requirements for a variety of plant material and utilizes technology to tailor irrigation schedules.
• Requests propagation of plants in the collections to ensure survival, paying particular attention to rare and threatened species and those of wild origin.
• Maintains assigned garden areas meeting Missouri Botanical Garden expectations, plants and maintains displays, 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.
• Participates in field work locally, nationally and internationally for plant collecting expeditions, as well as, horticulture capacity building.
• Sets, 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.
• Maintains expected attendance guidelines.
• Fulfills 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.

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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated 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.