Horticulturist I

Cantigny

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Horticulturist position contributes to the creation and implementation of gardens and seasonal displays. The primary duty is maintenance of landscape and horticultural areas, including container displays and holiday events, to high horticultural and aesthetic standards. This hands-on position supervises a small crew of seasonal garden technicians and volunteers. The role participates in public programs and events and supports educational activities and interpretation to provide a rich visitor experience.

Requirements

High school diploma and equivalent
One year of similar experience at a horticultural institution or public garden/estate, two years preferred.
An Illinois Pesticide Applicators license (Commercial Not-for-Hire) is required within six (6) months of hire.
CPR training/certification is required.
Ability to work and think independently on complex projects, prioritize work, and meet deadlines while balancing multiple tasks – planning months in advance while responding to daily demands.
Able to establish and maintain effective communications and working relationships with Horticulture staff and other departments.
Able to keep equipment clean and work area organized and ready to use for daily tasks.
Able to solve problems and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, as well as always act in a courteous and professional manner.
Knowledge of botanical and horticultural plant nomenclature to assist with accurate plant database records and maps.
Knowledge of IPM and ability to help make thoughtful decisions on reduced use of pesticides.
Working knowledge of computer-based Microsoft Office Suite. Hortis, IrisBG, ESRI ArcGIS, Autodesk AutoCAD experience is a plus.
Ability to (or be trainable to) safely drive and operate large and small equipment such as skid steers, trucks, tractors, golf carts, rototillers, leaf blowers, etc.
Able to safely and appropriately use hand tools typically used in routine garden maintenance, such as soil knives, hand pruners, saws, loppers, rakes, etc.
Must be willing to work weekends and some holidays when necessary. Varied work hours due to summer storm damage in park and gardens or a seasonal event.
Must be able to lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to work outdoors in all types of terrain and all types of weather.
Must be able to work standing or kneeling for up to 8 hours per day.
Ability to perform heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks for extended periods of time.
Valid driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience and demonstrated skills in designing, creating and installing large-scale annual and perennial plant displays in a formal design landscape is preferred.
Previous experience in year-round care and maintenance of roses preferred.
Identifying care needs and executing preventative disease tasks for rose shrubs in a formal garden setting preferred.
Successful past experience in designing plant compositions in large-scale seasonal annual displays and/or containers for four-season interest preferred.
Working proficiency in Spanish desirable.
Hortis, IrisBG, ESRI ArcGIS, Autodesk AutoCAD experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Install and maintain annual and perennial displays – both in-ground and containers – for garden zone of responsibility. Communicates needs for woody plant maintenance with Ornamental Forester and Garden Design Manager and then actively performs appropriate installation or maintenance per the collaborative resolution and guidance.
Responsible for weeding, watering, pruning, planting, monitoring for and managing pests, and applying chemicals and soil amendments for specific needs of aforementioned garden zone of responsibility. Path/hardscape safety and aesthetics are also monitored on a daily basis.
Assists in supervision of seasonal staff and volunteers on a daily basis. This includes managing schedules, preparing tasks, and ensuring quality of work and use of time when these staff or volunteers are needed in the garden zone of responsibility. Provides training on the usage of tools/machinery, work technique and safety.
Supports marketing and communication initiatives, including social media content needs, and effectively collaborates with communications team, for example by providing photos and descriptions of plants in bloom for public announcement.
Contributes to design, installation and breakdown of seasonal events, such as Christmas at Cantigny, Fall Fest, and/or Spring events, indoor and outdoor components across the park, particularly (but not exclusively) in the designated zone of garden responsibility.
Assists in placing and tracking herbaceous plant material orders and shipments. This position keeps an updated list of orders for living plant material, contribute in tracking budgets, and assists with processing invoices for material received.
Maintains an active record of living plant material within designated zone of responsibility. This includes tracking and editing Excel documents when plant material fails, or new material is added, and adds appropriate signage for plant material as necessary. Communicates with Plant Recorder to ensure overall living plant records are updated/current and as accurate as possible. Assist with professional, neat and accurate presentation of plant signage orientation in beds.
Assists in monitoring water features in garden zone of responsibility and maintains those features to control algae, aquatic weeds. This includes the use of beneficial microbial cultures and pond dyes to ensure high water quality.
Communicates and collaborates with greenhouse staff to ensure and monitor crop success. Participates in greenhouse walk-throughs to maintain health and scouting regimens for crops used in annual and perennial displays.
Assists in any horticulture programs for members and guests. This includes periodic instruction or verbal interpretation through tours, lectures, and special event demonstrations.
Monitor and scout garden zones daily to make recommendations and maintain communication with supervisor concerning path safety and aesthetics, plant health, garden maintenance, and priority tasks. This includes monitoring for pests and applying pesticides when necessary (Use of IPM practices is required).
Contributes to an annual phenology documentation of plant flowering or other notable foliage highlights of living plant material in aforementioned designated garden zones.
Periodically assists with light duty of building-entrance snow removal or prescribed burns of natural areas (alongside the Forestry burn crew).
Collaborates with Horticulture Department staff and other Cantigny staff/teams during special events and projects to provide support where appropriate and logical.
Effectively communicates with the local gardening community, Cantigny’s members, and daily guests concerning the gardens, plant collections and the rich history of the park.
Assists in the training of seasonal crew and volunteers in proper safety practices and gardening techniques. This includes maintaining record of training and providing proper PPE and tools.
Periodically assists the Forestry team with tree removal, brush cleanup, holiday décor installations, and maintenance of natural areas.
Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned.