Lead Horticulturist

City of Streamboat Strings•Steamboat Springs, CO

7d•$31 - $37•Onsite

About The Position

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with: A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked! A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city. A highly engaged workforce proudly serving our community with excellence and distinction. A passion for strategically providing outstanding municipal services. A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley Uniqueness Fuels Our Innovative Spirit Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experiences drives us forward every day. It's the collective sum of our experiences that makes Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley a powerful, insightful, and welcoming community. The City of Steamboat Springs Yampa River Botanic Park Division in the Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce we are hiring a Lead Horticulturist. Pay Range: $30.68 - $37.29/Hourly Put your talents and skills to work to contribute to our vibrant community! We offer excellent benefits and competitive pay, but being a part of our amazing team of people is even better. Do you want to work in a beautiful environment outdoors in the fresh air? Then stop and smell the roses and join the team at the Yampa River Botanic Park, where a unique collection of plants that are native to Colorado and similar environments worldwide are showcased providing education, inspiration, and serenity. We are a small, friendly team that works to beautify the only botanical garden in Northwest Colorado welcoming thousands of visitors throughout the summer. A place of community, this riverside botanical garden is a very rewarding place to work where visitors will stop and thank you for the work you do. All of this combined with our flexible schedule makes it one of the best places to work in Steamboat. GENERAL PURPOSE The Lead Horticulturist manages the daily tasks and responsibilities necessary to maintain a public garden. Additional responsibilities support the organization’s strategic goals, priorities, and site master planning. The position is seasonal, full-time up to 40 hours per week from approximately March through December. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of the Botanic Park Manager. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervises an Assistant Horticulturist, a Plant Records Coordinator, Gardeners, and volunteers.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in related field
Five (5) years of experience relating to landscaping, gardening, nursery management, or similar.
Three (3) years of experience in landscape design or architecture.
Strong knowledge of various plants and weeds.
Strong knowledge of equipment, materials and supplies used in garden and grounds maintenance.
Strong knowledge of first aid and applicable safety precautions.
Ability to adapt, take initiative, work independently, and complete daily activities according to work schedule.
Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time
Ability to work safely
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, other departments and the public
Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

Responsibilities

Administration & Education Responds daily to email and phone communications.
Working with the Botanic Park Manager is responsible for hiring seasonal horticulture staff and oversees training, approves time sheets, and performs evaluations.
Purchases materials and supplies including plant material, chemicals, grounds maintenance materials, and products for the Trillium House.
Codes all purchasing card transactions and submits invoices for processing.
With the Botanic Park Manager and Plant Records Coordinator manages tree and shrub sponsorships.
Meets with potential new sponsors to suggest and select the opportunity.
Works with the Botanic Park Manager to identify funding needs.
Creates and manages the Meet the Gardeners education program.
Creates interpretive signage as identified.
Horticulture Is responsible for the Park’s horticulture maintenance program including: pruning, seeding, fertilizing, top dressing, soil conditioning, watering, pest control, and weed control.
Holds an ex-officio seat on the Horticulture Committee and prioritizes work as identified by the Committee.
Manages horticulture staff, creates a weekly project list, and assigns duties.
Delegates leadership to the Assistant Horticulturist and Horticulturist as needed, especially for weekend coverage.
Trains horticulture staff to operate all equipment in a safe and effective manner.
Works with the Facilities Team Lead to monitor the irrigation system and adjust throughout the growing season.
Landscape design as needed for new projects and renovations.
Serves as the project manager for annual garden renovations.
Leads the Park’s curation efforts including identifying and procuring new taxa for the collections.
General gardening and grounds maintenance tasks including planting, weeding, mowing, edging/weed whacking, plant propagation, nursery management, seeding, fertilizing, top dressing, watering, compost maintenance, and pest control.
The requirements of the gardener alternate between physically demanding tasks and detailed oriented horticultural care.
Operates equipment including tractors, mowers, and string trimmers as assigned.
Performs janitorial and custodial work as required including trash removal, cleaning the building and restrooms, opens and closes, locks and unlocks facilities as needed.
General assistance with Botanic Park special events as needed.
Interacts with visitors and answers visitors’ questions about the Botanic Park, plants, and culture.