About the position
The Horticulturist position at Huntsville Botanical Garden involves applying strategic and tactical horticultural skills to the installation, care, and maintenance of various collections, displays, exhibits, lawns, and cultivated areas within the Garden. The role requires evaluating opportunities for containerized displays and beds, supporting design planning, and executing horticultural practices. This includes monitoring and programming irrigation, assessing fertilization needs, implementing cultural controls, and applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to a variety of plants including shrubs, perennials, annuals, and trees. In this role, the Horticulturist will perform general gardening duties such as pruning, planting, weeding, mulching, and debris removal. The position also involves supervising and training gardeners, volunteers, seasonal staff, and interns, ensuring that proper horticultural techniques are followed. The Horticulturist will monitor plant health, identify deficiencies, and apply appropriate corrective measures, including the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Additionally, the role includes participating in the research, design, and selection of new plant materials and garden beds, contributing to the development and design of both new and existing garden areas. The Horticulturist will also be responsible for scheduling and planning weekly garden tasks, monitoring irrigation systems, and making necessary program changes. With managerial approval, the Horticulturist will source and request plant purchases and supplies. The position requires leading tours, providing demonstrations, and answering questions from garden guests and staff on horticultural topics, as well as teaching and leading classes and workshops on various horticulture-related subjects. The role may require occasional travel and involves operating various garden equipment and machinery after appropriate training. The Horticulturist will perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall mission of the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Responsibilities
- Perform general gardening duties such as pruning, planting, weeding, mulching, and removing debris.
- Supervise tasks and work with gardeners daily, providing training in proper horticultural techniques as needed.
- Monitor and inspect plants for health deficiencies and problems, identify proper corrective measures and apply appropriate pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- Participate in the research, design, and selection of new plant material and garden beds and containers.
- Assist with the development and design of new and existing garden areas.
- Contribute to weekly garden task scheduling and planning.
- Monitor irrigation systems, implement effective program changes, and enter work order requests for repairs.
- Source and request plant purchases, supplies, and materials such as trees, shrubs, seeds, mulch, soil and garden tools and equipment using the established department process.
- Lead tours, provide demonstrations, and answer questions from garden guests and staff on horticultural topics.
- Teach and lead classes and workshops on various horticulture-related topics to the public.
- Work with contractors, consultants, and temporary employees and aid in supervising and training interns.
- Operate garden equipment such as utility vehicles, chainsaws, blowers, mowers, tillers, skid steer, tractors, trucks, forklifts, and other heavy machinery after training.
Requirements
- Associate's degree in horticulture or related field and 3+ years of experience in landscape installation or maintenance or an equivalent combination of training, skills and experience.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. Zone 7 plants and their proper care.
- Must attain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification, Alabama Pesticide Operator's License (OTPC), and pass an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.
- Aptitude and experience with safely operating large equipment, such as trucks, tractors, and riding mowers required.
- Skilled in using hand tools and operating small power equipment required.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) are required.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office.
Nice-to-haves
- Bachelor's degree in horticulture or a related field from an accredited program and 1+ years of experience in landscape installation or maintenance or an equivalent combination of training, skills and experience.
