Horticultural Technician

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

8d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

The Horticultural Technician creates and maintains seasonal landscape displays on the UW–Madison campus. Work includes designing displays and growing, planting, and caring for a wide variety of annual and perennial plants throughout the year. Duties are divided between outdoor campus landscapes and the Grounds Department Greenhouse, where staff grow thousands of annual plants for seasonal floral displays. Assignments may include highly visible locations such as the “W” along University Avenue, the Chancellor’s Residence, and the System President’s House landscapes, as well as other campus locations. The position combines independent work with collaboration among horticulture and grounds professionals. Technicians may help prepare and install floral displays for winter and spring commencement ceremonies. Daily work can include planting, watering, cultivating, pruning, weeding, and maintaining seasonal and intensive landscape displays, using hand tools, motorized walk-behind equipment, and ride-on machinery as appropriate. The role also includes snow removal to help keep university grounds safe and accessible throughout the year. This is an ongoing, renewable, full-time position at 100% FTE. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; occasional nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. Work is performed onsite. The position is in the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Physical Plant–Grounds. The minimum rate is $20 per hour, negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

At least one year of experience safely operating landscape maintenance tools and equipment, such as hedge trimmers, string trimmers, cultivators, and other hand and power tools.
Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varied weather, including lifting, bending, and standing and walking for extended periods.
Experience working independently and as part of a team to complete assigned work.
Experience interpreting and carrying out work assignments using landscape plans, written instructions, or related work documents.
Ability to obtain and maintain Commercial Turf & Landscape (Category 3.0) and Greenhouse & Nursery (Categories 104.0/105.0) pesticide applicator licenses within six months of hire.
Valid driver's license that meets UW Risk Management Standards.

Nice To Haves

Two years of horticulture or landscape experience in a commercial setting.
One year of commercial greenhouse experience.
High school diploma or GED is preferred.

Responsibilities

Train, assist, and monitor students and unit staff as needed.
Maintain records of plant acquisitions and greenhouse and garden activities and schedules.
Develop, coordinate, and execute fungicide, pesticide, and herbicide application programs.
Perform snow removal duties during winter.
Coordinate planting, sowing, fertilization, trimming, watering, and spraying in assigned areas.
Coordinate maintenance of greenhouse facilities, equipment, and environmental controls; may coordinate care of animals and other organisms.
Plan and implement instructional plant production schedules and determine and implement appropriate cultural practices, disease and pest control, and plant requirements for light, temperature, moisture, and nutrition.
Carry out technical, day-to-day operational activities of a greenhouse complex, botanical garden, or plant research projects.
Serve as a horticultural expert and consultant to internal and external stakeholders; may assist with laboratory demonstrations.
Design and maintain seasonal campus landscape displays and grow, plant, and care for annual and perennial plants.
Prepare and install floral displays for campus events, including winter and spring commencement ceremonies.
Operate landscape maintenance tools and equipment and perform outdoor planting, watering, cultivating, pruning, weeding, and display maintenance.