Master Gardener

About the role

The Master Gardener manages and maintains assigned botanical garden and landscape areas by planning, implementing, and overseeing horticultural operations. This role coordinates garden development projects, plant collections management, integrated pest management activities, irrigation monitoring, and landscape maintenance practices. The Master Gardener provides guidance to staff, student employees, interns, and volunteers while supporting educational programs, special events, exhibits, and community‑engagement initiatives. The position ensures assigned areas are maintained in accordance with university standards, horticultural best practices, and sustainability objectives.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the care, maintenance, and enhancement of assigned garden, landscape, and plant‑collection areas, including woody and herbaceous plant materials.
• Develop and implement annual operating plans, planting plans, and landscape improvement projects that support departmental objectives, collection‑management strategies, and campus beautification efforts.
• Perform and oversee horticultural maintenance activities such as planting, transplanting, pruning, mulching, edging, weed control, staking, thinning, bed renovation, and seasonal garden preparation.
• Operate, inspect, and maintain horticultural tools, equipment, and machinery, including tractors, loaders, power equipment, irrigation components, and specialized garden‑maintenance equipment.
• Support the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of interior and exterior displays, exhibits, special events, and seasonal landscape enhancements.
• Maintain accurate records related to horticultural operations, plant collections, integrated pest‑management activities, training, safety procedures, and departmental initiatives.
• Research, recommend, and implement sustainable horticultural practices that improve resource conservation, landscape performance, and environmental stewardship.
• Assist with plant inventory management, plant identification, labeling, and documentation of botanical collections within assigned areas.
• Provide horticultural expertise and educational support through presentations, workshops, tours, demonstrations, publications, and outreach activities for students, visitors, and the community.
• Promote a safe, welcoming, and service‑oriented environment by positively interacting with campus visitors, university constituents, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related field.
• Five (5) years of related work experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for education on a one‑year‑for‑one‑year basis.
• Valid Texas driver’s license.
• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure per Texas EO‑GA‑48, if required.

Skills

• Verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in grounds‑maintenance operations.
• Ability to assess site conditions and determine appropriate corrective actions.

Application Materials

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM CDT on 10/12/2026. At the discretion of the hiring department, the posting may close earlier once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Pay

Salary Range: $72,900 annualized.

Schedule

Full‑time position. Workdays, areas, and work hours may vary depending on the department’s needs.

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions, or other business‑related events.
• Primary work locations: Southwest and Downtown campuses, with flexibility to work on the main campus as needed.
• Travel and parking expenses are the employee’s responsibility.

Physical Demands

• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Extended periods of standing, walking, pushing, bending, and kneeling.
• Working outdoors with exposure to seasonal weather conditions.
• Exposure to hazardous mechanical equipment.