Horticultural Technician

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Horticultural Technician creates and maintains seasonal landscape displays on the UW–Madison campus. The work includes designing displays and growing, planting, and caring for annual and perennial plants throughout the year. Work is divided between outdoor campus landscapes and the Grounds Department Greenhouse, where staff grow annual plants for seasonal floral displays. Assignments may include highly visible campus locations and preparation and installation of floral displays for winter and spring commencement ceremonies. The role combines independent work with collaboration with horticulture and grounds professionals and includes snow removal to help keep campus grounds safe and accessible. Daily work may involve planting, watering, cultivating, pruning, weeding, and maintaining seasonal and intensive landscape displays, as well as operating landscape maintenance tools and equipment. 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 with the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Physical Plant–Grounds. The minimum pay is $20 per hour and is 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, 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 (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 a greenhouse facility, its 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, including disease and pest control and plant requirements for light, temperature, moisture, and nutrition.
Carry out the technical day-to-day operations of a greenhouse complex, botanical garden, or plant research projects.
Serve as a horticultural expert and consultant to internal and external stakeholders.
Assist with laboratory demonstrations when necessary.
Design and maintain seasonal landscape displays, including growing, planting, and caring 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, which may include hand tools, motorized walk-behind equipment, and ride-on machinery.