Agricultural Assistant III

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Reiman Gardens is currently accepting applications for a couple of Agricultural Assistant III positions. One position will be known as a Turf Horticulturist, and the other position will be known as a Perennial Garden Horticulturist. These positions contribute to garden care and functions in a team relationship with other horticulture staff to uphold Reiman Gardens' reputation as the premier public horticulture institution in the state of Iowa. A Turf Horticulturist, under limited supervision, will prepare, delegate, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot all aspects of turf and irrigation care for the entire garden, requiring considerable judgement in horticultural principles to achieve results within broad guidelines. This includes but is not limited to seasonal maintenance goals, special event preparation or remediation related to turf, emergency response to irrigation and snow removal, and horticultural programmatic support. The incumbent will support the broader Reiman Gardens team during peak events or projects, including but not limited to, conservatory display changes, volunteer and member events, and outreach tasks or committee work. This position will also have a lead role in setting up, maintaining, tearing down, and organizing lights and features used during the Winter Wonderscape light show event. A Perennial Garden Horticulturist, under limited supervision, will prepare, delegate, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot all aspects of horticultural care for assigned garden spaces, requiring considerable judgement in horticultural principles to achieve results within broad guidelines. This includes but is not limited to seasonal garden maintenance goals, garden planting design and renovation projects, emergency response to irrigation and snow removal, and horticultural programmatic support. The incumbent will support the broader Reiman Gardens team during peak events or projects, including but not limited to, conservatory display changes, volunteer and member events, and winter light show installation. The incumbent will participate in garden strategic planning and may serve on one or more planning committees or working groups tasked with implementation of those plans and programs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
5 years of related experience
Considerable judgment in horticultural principles
Ability to achieve results within broad guidelines
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field
Experience working with public horticulture (e.g., parks, gardens, arboreta, campuses)
Experience managing weeds, insects, plant diseases
Possessing or ability to obtain an Iowa 30T pesticide license within 30 days of hire
Experience managing spaces with features such as intense annual beds, mixed perennial borders, and water features
Experience working with irrigation systems: installation, repair, and programming
Experience working with volunteers

Responsibilities

Prepare, delegate, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot all aspects of turf and irrigation care for the entire garden (Turf Horticulturist).
Prepare, delegate, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot all aspects of horticultural care for assigned garden spaces (Perennial Garden Horticulturist).
Achieve results within broad guidelines requiring considerable judgment in horticultural principles.
Manage seasonal maintenance goals.
Handle special event preparation or remediation related to turf (Turf Horticulturist).
Provide emergency response to irrigation and snow removal.
Offer horticultural programmatic support.
Support the broader Reiman Gardens team during peak events or projects, including conservatory display changes, volunteer and member events, and outreach tasks or committee work.
Lead the setup, maintenance, teardown, and organization of lights and features for the Winter Wonderscape light show event (Turf Horticulturist).
Participate in garden strategic planning and may serve on planning committees or working groups (Perennial Garden Horticulturist).
Assist with winter light show installation (Perennial Garden Horticulturist).