Horticulturist I - Indoor, Floral Display

Missouri Botanical Garden•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

Performs all job duties associated with floriculture design, maintenance and care of the annual Holiday Flower and Train Show, and annual Orchid Show as well as seasonal displays within the Emerson Conservatory, Linnaean House, and Arid House. Performs installation and daily maintenance of ‘What’s In Bloom’ display. Job duties are directly related to the design, installation, maintenance and care of the seasonal flower shows in Emerson Conservatory, seasonal displays In Linnaean and Arid House. Performs high level of floral design for a variety of applications throughout the year both off-site and Garden-wide. Ensures the displays contain the highest level of design alongside plant diversity to support conservation, research, and education.

Requirements

Minimum of (3-4) years of hands-on, relevant horticulture work experience required.
Minimum of (4-5) years of hands-on floral design work experience required.
Working knowledge of tropical and temperate plants and general landscape maintenance techniques.
Demonstrated experience maintaining production greenhouse crops for display.
Proficient ability to identify various plant pests and pathogens and apply sound, appropriate remedies.
Proficient in operating and knowledge of safe operation procedures for various types of landscape maintenance equipment.
Proven ability to lead and direct the work of others to complete general projects, including but not limited to volunteers is required.
Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct; knowledge and understanding of organizational policies, procedures, and systems
Ability to present technical concepts to non-technical functional teams
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.
Knowledge of and adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends and holidays as needed.
Ability to possess and maintain valid driver’s license.
Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
Ability to obtain Pesticide Applicator’s license.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment).
Must be able to work in high heat and humidity.
Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching for extended periods of time-- 90% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
Ability to wear Garden-issued Personal Protective Equipment.
May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing).
Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook).
Solid Internet research skills.
Ability to use e-mail to communicate with Garden staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.
Requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate percentages and decimals.

Nice To Haves

Professional accreditation of Floral Design skills recommended.

Responsibilities

Performs a wide range of skills for construction, design and installation of annual Holiday Flower and Train Show, and Orchid Show, including necessary crafts as required.
Produces large-scale floral art or landscape installations as needed.
Identify pests and diseases. Conduct pest control using integrated pest management (IPM)
Works closely with a variety of Garden departments in order to accomplish display goals and professionally produced thematic shows and temporary exhibits.
Maintains the highest standards of plant record keeping, updates the Living Collections Management System when plants are added, moved or die; ensures plants are labeled with accession numbers at all times.
Maintains general care of horticultural tools, and technical equipment (i.e., apply lubrication and general cleaning). Refers more serious problems to management personnel.
Applies landscape/maintenance tasks to ensure care of conservatories meets Missouri Botanical Garden expectations.
Completes orders and requests plants as needed for designs.
Performs a variety of tasks needed for the installation of materials in flower shows and displays.
Maintains a professional demeanor, answering informal questions from the public as needed when working in Conservatories.
Trains and effectively utilizes assigned volunteers, interns and students.
Ensures all applicable safety standards are followed adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards.
Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
Meets expected attendance guidelines.
Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
Behaves & communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
Performs other duties as assigned.