Horticulturist III (Terrace & Children's Gardens)

Red Butte Garden is seeking a Horticulturist III for our Terrace (Herb, Medicinal, Fragrance), Children’s Garden, Orangerie and adjacent areas. This working supervisory position is responsible for coordinating and providing excellent horticultural care of specific outdoor garden areas as assigned, including the living plant collections held within. The incumbent is responsible for identifying and implementing required maintenance and preservation needs; hires, trains, supervises and evaluates the performance of full time and seasonal staff; trains and supervises volunteers and volunteer groups, ensures maintenance activities are performed effectively, safely and without impact to Garden or private events by coordinating special projects with appropriate personnel and departments as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Identifies, prioritizes, and implements the performance of maintenance and preservation care for assigned garden areas and their living plant collections, while ensuring that excellent horticultural and aesthetic expectations and individual collection objectives are achieved.
• Interviews, hires, trains and supervises full-time and seasonal staff; trains and supervises assigned volunteers. Ensures staff and volunteers are trained on garden maintenance expectations and safety guidelines such as the proper operation, use, and maintenance of tools, PPE, and equipment.
• Evaluates performance, provides constructive feedback, and disciplines staff as necessary.
• Evaluates, prioritizes, designs and implements seasonal plant displays and improvements to plantings and garden areas that no longer meet performance expectations.
• Monitors assigned areas and living plant collections for damage from a wide variety of pests, including invasive plant species. When needed, determines and implements control measures following industry best practices.
• Serves as a resource for professional horticultural knowledge for the public and peers, through interacting with Garden guests; responding to inquiries; providing horticultural content for Garden publications, website, interpretive elements; assisting Marketing and Communications department with TV or radio spots; and periodically teach programs or lead Garden tours in areas of expertise.
• Participates in the Garden’s living plant collection committee and may chair one or more sub-committee. Ensures collections remain relevant to the Garden’s goals and objectives
• Stays up to date on, and ensures staff and volunteers are properly trained on, department and UofU policies and guidelines applicable to the work required of their positions; enforces policies and guidelines.
• Performs snow and ice removal operations as necessary to ensure the safety of Garden staff and guests, and in a manner that preserves garden structures, hardscape and plant life. Collectively, snow removal duties must be performed before and during operating hours, seven days/week, including Holidays, after hours for scheduled private events, and when called to work during a University Closed Day, to clear snow before the Garden can be reopened.
• Implements assigned section(s) of Fundraiser Plant Sales by providing timely requests for plant material orders; receiving and inventorying deliveries; organization, setup and pricing of respective sales areas before the sale; providing and ensuring excellent customer service.
• Ensures accurate up-to-date information on permanent plant installations, transplants, removals, or requested evaluations are completed and submitted to the Plant Records team in a timely manner.
• Reports and coordinates preventative and routine maintenance, including potential safety concerns, to other responsible parties.
• Manage/perform routine maintenance on decorative or interactive fountains including: monitoring, assessing, cleaning, adding chemicals, water testing, filter maintenance/replacement, and maintaining timers and clock schedules.
• Develops and implements periodic theme exhibits for the Children’s Garden. Duties include researching and developing theme concepts and interpretation in collaboration with the Programs department and procuring or fabricating exhibit components.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), and two years of experience in horticulture. Strong knowledge and understanding of plant culture and best practices for ornamental and/or native plant care. Utah Pesticide Applicators License is required.

Two years’ experience in supervising others, including training & performance management.

Preferences:

• Specific knowledge of herbs, ethnobotanical plants and their uses.
• At least three years’ experience in Horticulture;
• Ability to identify major plant genera and species, knowledge of botanical names, and characteristics of a wide range of ornamental and native plants;
• Ability to identify a wide variety of horticultural weeds, insects (including beneficials) and diseases, determine and implement appropriate treatment;
• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurability;
• A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or ability to obtain within first six months of employment;
• Able to safely and proficiently operate all equipment and tools common to the trade, including but not limited to vehicles, tractors, mowers, snowplows, lifts, chain saws, trimmers, etc;
• Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position and to work safely in inclement conditions, such as heat, cold, precipitation, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with landscape design;
• Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication;
• Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence;
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Adobe;
• Experience working in a public garden;
• Advanced degree in Horticulture preferred.

APPLICATION LINK:   https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/180682