Seasonal Native Plant Nursery Gardener

Description

Seasonal Native Plant Nursery Gardener

Department: Plant Science & Conservation

Supervisor: Conservation Horticulturalist

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Salary Classification: Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Revision Date: January 2025

Availability: Ability to work 30-40 hours per week, work may require rotating weekend and occasional holiday hours depending on the season.

General Summary:

Assists with nursery maintenance, supports native plant production, utilization of native plants to support Garden collections and plant sales, and plant care. Performs maintenance throughout the Nursery including fertilizing, mowing, edging, minor repairs, sanitizing containers, organizing, potting plants, assisting in plant propagation (seed and vegetative), pruning, and weeding.

Essential Functions:

• Communicate with supervision to understand and achieve plant production objectives
• Perform all functions involved in the care of the nursery, including: 
• Planting, dividing, up-potting, and transplanting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals
• Weeding, mulching, watering, cultivating, fertilizing, and mixing soils
• Pruning plants for beneficial plant growth and health
• Weed eating, edging, removing unwanted sod, brush cutting, and turf care
• Removing litter, twigs, leaves, and other debris
• Mixing, applying, storing, and safe handling of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides
• Controlling invasive species, insects, diseases, and nuisance pests
• Maintain plant labels and report damaged or missing plant labels
• Recording nursery inventory
• Periodic minor repairs to nursery structures such as replacing weed barriers, repairing or preplacing protective netting and shade cloth 
• Demonstrate the ability to safely operate and maintain all equipment according to the operator’s manuals. Responsible for proper operation and maintenance of tools and equipment. Notify appropriate supervision of necessary repairs to nursery equipment structures, pathways, irrigation.
• Monitor irrigation equipment and notify supervision of concerns.
• Assisting with vegetative propagation and planting of seeds.
• Assist in preparing native nursery stock for plant sales: labeling and pricing plants, moving stock to sale location, staging plants, maintaining stock, and assisting customers at plant sales.
• Occasional travel required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent by the date of employment with a strong interest in plants and their proper culture and care. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel. Practical work experience in horticulture, landscaping, or related field. Must be subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. 

Success Factors:

• Ability to perform physically demanding work outside in all weather conditions. 
• Willingness to work alone or as part of a team. 
• Effective time management and productivity skills are essential. 
• Ability to guide and give directions to volunteers. 
• Guest service-focused with the ability to relate kindly and respectfully with persons internal and external to the Garden. 
• Must demonstrate the Garden’s Core Values in all relationships at work and behave ethically and professionally in all business matters. Embraces the Garden’s mission of connecting people to plants. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ months practical work experience in horticulture, landscaping, nursery or greenhouse operations, or related field. Strong interest in plants and their proper culture and care.
• Experience operating equipment used for landscape maintenance such as mowers, weed eaters, tractors, etc. 
• Experience in propagation of plants from seed and cuttings.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.  

• Physical Demands: Requires significant physical activity such as occasional lifting (50 to 100-lb) with team member assistance several times each day, frequent solo lifting (up to 50 lb), bending, climbing (up to 15 ft), walking over uneven and sloping terrain. Sense of vision and hearing in the