"Collections Horticulturist"

Collections Horticulturist

University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) stewards over 840 acres of land and water across four properties in and around Ann Arbor, with Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens serving as its two anchor locations. With more than 500,000 annual visitors, MBGNA is committed to becoming a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the lands and waters we steward. Visit our website HERE.

The Collections Horticulturist is a member of the Horticulture Team reporting to the Horticulture Lead and has collaborative relationships with MBGNA's Curators, Natural Areas, Education, and Visitor Experience teams. This position is an 80% (32 hours/week) permanent position with responsibilities at both Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Weekly work schedule may vary to fit organizational and individual schedules and will be determined in coordination with the Horticulture Lead and in accordance with University guidelines. The schedule will include occasional evenings and weekends and occasional travel.

Operations and Coordination (60%):

• Prepare and present the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden and surrounding gardens for annual peony bloom
• Maintain and enhance perimeter and entry gardens throughout MBGNA's landscapes including but not limited to the Reader Center gardens and the Geddes Entrance
• Update and implement garden management plans in support of MBGNA's collections management plan and in coordination with the Curator, Horticulture Lead, and Collections Committee
• Support plant production for plant sales, garden displays, collection enhancement, research purposes, and university courses and programs
• Participate in other horticultural operations as needed including general garden maintenance, seasonal tasks, exhibitions, and projects
• Assist with long-range planning for display gardens, including garden design, plant selection, and participating in garden bed renovations
• Implement proper and appropriate horticultural practices to grow healthy plants and quality garden displays
• Understand Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and recognize, diagnose, and properly treat pest problems as needed
• Participate in weekend watering schedules

Leadership and Management (20%):

• Supervise student staff including interns
• Establish and lead recurring and episodic volunteer(s)
• Identify, plan, and implement special projects aligned with MBGNA's strategic plan in coordination with the Curator and Horticulture lead and support by the Collections Committee

Organizational Collaboration (20%):

• Coordinate with Curator and Horticulture Lead to ensure plans align with Collections Committee processes
• Provide content, programs, and outreach activities with Education and Communication teams
• Partner with Facilities team to ensure infrastructure improvement and maintenance
• Meet with Education and Visitor Experience teams to ensure audiences and uses are foregrounded in care and design paradigm
• Support GIS & Plant Records Specialist with data management including keeping accurate and current plant records, fixing/replacing labels and signs, ensuring content and mapping accuracy, and similar responsibilities
• Other tasks or responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Botany, Biology, or related field; equivalent combination of two plus years experience and completion of training and/or certificate in professional horticulture programs; or four plus years of professional experience in horticulture, landscape management, or nursery/greenhouse production
• Experience managing volunteers and engaging with the public
• Possess a Michigan Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license or complete certification within six-months of start date

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Please also include relevant training, photos or a portfolio of relevant work. Submit everything as one file, due to system limitations.

The salary range for this position is $38,000 - $40,000.

For more information about Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, please visit mbgna.umich.edu.