Company
Employment Type
- Full-time
- Job
Job Categories
- Horticulture
Job Details
As part of the Garden’s growing team, we seek a Display Horticulturist who will ensure that Pittsburgh Botanic Garden conforms to the highest standards of garden management practices while attending to the Garden’s living plant collections and horticultural displays. The Display Horticulturist plays a key role in the appearance of the Garden through their technical skills and creativity, the quality of the horticultural exhibits, and the use of best practices for collections management. This energetic individual will bring a high level of horticultural knowledge and professional gardening talent to the Garden, implement best stewardship practices, and lead interns and volunteers in exceptional standards for garden maintenance.
This position reports to the Horticulture Manager and works closely with other Garden staff members.
COMPENSATION
• Compensation commensurate with experience
WORK CONDITIONS
• Primarily outdoor physical work in all weather conditions with occasional work at special events
• Typically, this is a 40-hour workweek position with weekend shifts on rotation. Flexible hours will be required for Garden related functions
• Must be able to traverse moderate to difficult site conditions related to Garden topography
• Ability to stand, kneel, or bend for extended periods and lift 50 pounds
• Exposure to biting/stinging insects, poisonous plants, petroleum products, and horticultural chemicals
• Must possess a valid PA driver’s license and have or be willing to obtain a Pesticide Applicator’s license
• Must have clearances prior to hire date (Child Abuse Clearance; PA State Police Background Check; FBI Fingerprint Background Check)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Essential Job Functions
• Assist in creating horticultural displays and in the care of the Garden’s living collections.
• Perform general garden maintenance such as pruning, planting, mulching, and weeding of the permanent and seasonal plantings including plant acquisition, propagation, and installation.
• Motivate and lead by example seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers in the maintenance of gardens and landscapes, including record keeping and proper plant identification.
• Monitor pests and diseases and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, apply appropriate pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers as needed.
• Assists with special events and other non-horticultural projects that support the garden’s mission and development.
• Perform special studies, projects, and assignments as requested
• Operate equipment such as hand tools, utility vehicles, and tractors, as well as standard garden power tools such as blowers, tillers, and chainsaws.
• Snow removal in the Winter
• Four-year degree in horticulture or related field, or equivalent combination of training, skills, and experience
• Three to five years of experience in the field of horticulture; botanic garden experience preferred
• Knowledge and/or experience in the following areas: common ornamental landscape plants of zone 5, arboriculture, PA native plants, and container displays
• Demonstrated skills in creative problem-solving and conflict management
• Strength in oral and written communication and the ability to manage multiple tasks
• A passionate commitment to the mission and purpose of the Garden
• Proficient with equipment used in the horticultural trade, including larger equipment e.g., tractors
Email submissions only. Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and two professional references to esachs@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org. Please do not include information in email text but include important information for consideration in the cover letter content. Do not make multiple submissions. No phone calls, please.
