Gardener

Desert Botanical Garden • Phoenix, AZ

1d

About The Position

A participating member of the Trail Horticulture team, the Gardener is responsible for the health, care, and growth of plants used in the Garden’s displays, exhibits, and trails. The role aims to achieve the highest level of excellence in alignment with best practices in horticultural care for desert plants.

The Gardener supports the management and care of assigned team areas, including plant beds and accessioned plants, and performs horticultural tasks as assigned by the Supervisor. The position also supports departmental activities, supervises and communicates with volunteers, participates in meetings, and contributes to reports, proposals, and professional education.

The role involves regular communication with department and Garden staff and volunteers, as well as interaction with Garden visitors, plant sale customers, and vendors. Work is consistently outdoors in conditions that may include inclement weather, humidity, and extreme summer heat. The Horticulture department implements a summer schedule to support staff safety and well-being. The position requires frequent movement and lifting of materials weighing up to 50 pounds and occasional ladder or scissor-lift use at heights of 15–20 feet. Reasonable accommodations may be made when necessary and feasible.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, life sciences, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work independently with direction from a supervising horticulturist.
• Exceptional time-management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to solve problems using discretion and good judgment, with high levels of personal motivation.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings when needed.
• Valid Arizona driver’s license for cart training and use.
• Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including occasionally ascending and descending a ladder or scissor lift to 15–20 feet and frequently moving and lifting materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Public Garden experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the management and care of team areas, ensuring plant beds meet the Garden’s standards for health, aesthetics, and cultivation.
• Perform horticultural tasks as assigned by the Supervisor, including manual watering, detailing highly visible beds and displays, minor irrigation maintenance in assigned areas, and pruning trees and shrubs.
• Support the care and health of accessioned plants in assigned areas, including documentation, review, and evaluation in collaboration with the Supervisor.
• Support departmental activities, including plant sales, exhibit and display installations, and collecting trips.
• Supervise, manage, and communicate with volunteers working with the Garden Trail team.
• Participate in departmental, Garden, and planning meetings.
• Assist with reports and proposals.
• Continue professional education and participate in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time