Gardens Horticulturist

Job Description

The Gardens Horticulturist will be responsible for the complete care of a portion of the outdoor space and will work directly with the Gardens Manager, collaborate with other Horticulturists, and supervise a team of dedicated volunteers to maintain the living collections as well as contribute to the designs of seasonal displays and exhibitions. Other duties include plant records upkeep, irrigation maintenance and repairs, plant propagation, IPM, and safe equipment usage. this is a Full-time, in-person role providing excellent benefits. Must reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work. Weekend availability; Salary: $18.00 – $20.00 per hour

About Us

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history. Established by forward thinking women of their time, Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in the Osprey area of Sarasota County, Florida. The Downtown Campus on Sarasota Bay is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, and other tropical plants. There is a significant focus on botany, horticulture, education, historical preservation, and the environment. The Historic Spanish Point (HSP) Campus is located less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay. The HSP Campus, one of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants that is interpreted for and open to the public, celebrates an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

● Maintain assigned garden space following horticultural best practices. Tasks include weeding, watering, grooming, dead-heading, fertilizing, planting, removing debris, pruning, and mulching.

● Develop landscape designs for review and approval prior to execution

● Be familiar with plant species under your care. Continually strive to improve horticultural plant knowledge.

● Actively scout for any observed plant disease, insect, animal, or weed problems. Care for plants showing stress with a sense of urgency.

● Manage irrigation system processes that affect your assigned area and make necessary adjustments as needed

● Maintain plant records by providing current information to management regarding plant accessions, removals, transfers and label requirements. Label permanent plants in a timely manner and assist with the installation of accession tags.

● Operate and maintain landscape equipment including chainsaws, backpack blowers, string trimmers, gas powered hedge shears, and tractor

● Follow IPM protocols when managing pest and diseases on the plants under your care.

Education and Experience

● Associate degree or certificate in Horticulture

● Minimum of two years of significant experience in the management of tropical landscapes is preferred

● An equivalent combination of education and experience in landscaping or horticulture related work with strong willingness to learn and/or strong interest in gardening may be considered

● Must hold a valid Florida Pesticide Applicators License or be able to obtain one within 6 months of employment

● Focused on high quality controls to ensure horticultural excellence

● Must be able to sustain moderate physical exertion with a full range of body motion for lifting up to 50 lbs.

● Ability to operate hand and power garden equipment

● Ability to work weekends to meet the Gardens’ horticultural needs

Additional Information

Excellent Benefits including:

*Retirement Savings Plan w/matching
*Dental insurance
*Employee assistance program
*Employee discount
*Flexible schedule
*Health insurance
*Health savings account
*Life insurance
*Paid time off
*Professional development assistance
*Retirement plan
*Vision insurance

Application Instructions

Please apply to this posting or send resumes to sruckl@selby.org