Horticulturist I (Multiple Positions)

Job Description

We are seeking two (2) Horticulturists – one to support the Gulf Coast Prairies and Native Spaces and one to support the Stormwater Wetlands and Family Garden. These positions are important members of the horticulture team emphasizing native plant horticulture, habitat stewardship, and ecological best practices.
The Gulf Coast Prairies and Native Spaces Horticulturist will be responsible for the cultivation, maintenance, and ecological management of the Garden’s Gulf Coast prairie, meadow, and native plant landscapes. The Stormwater Wetlands and Family Garden Horticulturist will be responsible for the horticultural and ecological management of stormwater wetlands, aquatic plant communities and landscapes within the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden.
These roles will work in close collaboration with one another to ensure continuity of design, plant palettes and management strategies across adjacent landscapes, particularly where prairie, wetland, and educational spaces intersect.
Reporting to the Horticulture Supervisor, these roles require a collaborative mindset, flexibility, and a willingness to contribute to collective goals while maintaining ownership of assigned garden areas.

About Us

The mission of the Houston Botanic Garden is to enrich life through discovery, education, and conservation of plants and the natural environment. The Garden strives to inspire all people to love plants and be good stewards of the natural world. The gardens include a global garden with arid, subtropical, and tropical plants; a culinary garden with permanent and seasonal displays; a family garden centered around a lagoon; a woodland event garden; wetlands; and a coastal prairie on a 132-acre site.

Duties & Responsibilities

Main Job Responsibilities:
•Perform horticultural work in assigned area including planting, weeding, pruning, watering, mulching, and transplanting.
•Lead propagation, establishment, and long-term care of Gulf Coast native plant species, including grasses, forbs, and wildflowers or steward wetland margins, aquatic features and associated plant communities to support stormwater function and ecological health
•Collaborate closely with other Horticulturists on shared projects, seasonal planning, plant selection, and coordinated maintenance efforts.
•Participate in joint planning discussions to ensure smooth transitions between prairie, wetland, and family garden environments.
•Participate in plant documentation through plant labeling tasks and notification of additions or removals of plants in the garden and notify new plantings and removals to the GIS Specialist.
•Monitor plant health and assist with integrated pest management strategies.
•Assist with public programs, tours, and interpretive efforts related to assigned area.
•Coordinate and support volunteer workdays in assigned area or other areas, when needed.
•Support other members of the Horticulture department in a variety of garden projects.
•Operate horticultural equipment safely and assist with tool and site maintenance.
•Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Education & Experience Requirements
•Minimum of an Associate’s degree, Bachelors preferred, in horticulture, forestry, ecology, plant science, or a related field; 2-4 years hands-on experience in the horticulture industry or related field may substitute degree.
•Demonstrated horticulture experience through education and/or hands-on field work preferably in native grasslands, prairie systems, stormwater systems, wetlands and/or aquatic plant installations.
•Basic knowledge of plant material and cultivation requirements.
•Demonstrated passion for plants and the natural environment.
•Volunteer coordination or public engagement experience preferred.
•Knowledge of IPM and wetland plant identification preferred.
•Ability and willingness to perform hands-on gardening work in all types of weather typical in Houston (heat and humidity, freezing temperatures, wind, and rain).
•Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events, as needed.

Additional Information

Physical Job Demands
•These positions require outdoor physical work, including frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 80 pounds, often working alone. It also requires some office work on a computer, sitting for extended periods.
•Working in humid, wet environments that require the regular use of waders, boots, and getting muddy.
•Working in environments with wildlife.

Position Details
•Hourly Rate: $17.50 – $19/hr.
•Full-Time, 40 hrs./wk.

Benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings match, paid time off, short- & long-term disability and life insurance available.

Application Instructions

Application Procedure
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to hr@hbg.org. We will contact those candidates who most closely match our requirements. Resumes submitted via alternate methods will not be considered.