Native Plant Horticulturalist I, Shaw Nature Reserve

Missouri Botanical Garden•Gray Summit, MO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs duties related to the design, installation, maintenance, and care of outdoor displays and plant collections at Shaw Nature Reserve (SNR). The role includes horticultural studies, native seed collection and processing, inventory work, and accurate plant accession records and labeling. The position works hands-on with the horticulture crew and oversees day-to-day landscape maintenance and volunteer assignments. The horticulturalist maintains garden and greenhouse plantings, collects and stores native seeds, maintains records for permanent plant collections, and cares for horticultural tools and equipment. The role also supports safety practices, communicates with visitors and volunteers, and works outdoors year-round in varied weather conditions. An associate or bachelor's degree in horticulture, biology, botany, or a related field is required, although an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered. Applicants need one to three years of relevant hands-on horticulture experience, knowledge of native plants and landscape maintenance, and the ability to operate landscaping tools and equipment. A valid driver's license and pesticide applicator's license must be maintained.

Requirements

One to three years of hands-on, relevant horticulture work experience.
Associate's or bachelor's degree in horticulture, biology, botany, or a related field; an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.
Strong knowledge of native plant materials and landscape maintenance techniques.
Proficiency operating landscaping tools and equipment, including hand tools, string trimmers, lawn mowers, backpack sprayers, and blowers.
Ability to interact and work safely and comfortably near the general public and answer questions about the horticulture collection.
Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and in English, orally and in writing.
Ability to perform simple tasks independently after receiving assignments.
Ability to work outside in variable environments and weather conditions, including year-round outdoor work.
Ability to climb and lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to follow health and safety guidelines and demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
Scheduling flexibility to work occasional weekends for the annual spring and fall plant sales and Prairie Day, held every other year.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and solid internet research skills.
Ability to read and understand pesticide labels.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, calculate percentages and decimals, and exercise independent judgment in resolving problems.
Ability to possess and maintain valid driver's and pesticide applicator's licenses.
Ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.
Ability to work in bright sunshine and probable high UV levels, and in temperatures over 100°F and below 0°F, rain, snow, and other inclement weather as needed.
Ability to perform tasks at varying heights, including climbing ladders; stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach for extended periods; and spend 80% or more of the workday standing.
Ability to wear Garden-issued personal protective equipment and use a computer keyboard.

Responsibilities

Perform landscape maintenance, including soil preparation, planting, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation, and herbicide application.
Assist horticulture staff with landscape installation and maintenance as needed.
Oversee day-to-day landscape maintenance and volunteer assignments.
Perform off-season work, including invasive plant removal, tree pruning and removal, leaf pickup, storm-damage cleanup, and snow and ice removal.
Water plants in the greenhouse and garden.
Collect, clean, and store native seeds from wild and garden sources, and maintain detailed field notebook records.
Maintain accurate records of plants in permanent collections, including the Wildflower Garden.
Maintain horticultural tools and equipment, troubleshoot routine issues, and refer serious problems to the supervisor.
Follow applicable safety standards, inform employees, students, and volunteers of safe practices, monitor compliance, adapt work methods to reduce hazards, and report accidents, injuries, and near misses.
Supervise volunteers in the garden and seed-collecting operations and maintain accurate volunteer records.
Meet attendance guidelines and follow established policies and procedures.
Communicate and cooperate with coworkers, supervisors, volunteers, visitors, and other employees to support teamwork and positive visitor relations.
Perform other duties as assigned.