Gardener
Department: Plant Science/Horticulture
Supervisor: Area Supervisor
Supervises: N/A
FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time or Part-time, Non-exempt
Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, work may require regular weekend, evening and occasional holiday hours depending on the season.
General Summary: Execute maintenance, installation and rehabilitation practices and tasks to ensure Garden is in excellent horticultural, safe and aesthetic condition.

Essential Duties:

• Communicate with supervision to understand and achieve individual garden and collection objectives.
• Perform all functions involved in the care of the Garden, including:
  • Planting, dividing and transplanting trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.
  • Weeding, mulching, watering, cultivating and fertilizing.
  • Pruning plants and trees 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.
  • Monitoring and controlling invasive species and threatening insects, diseases, and nuisance pests.
  • Monitoring, maintaining plant labels and reporting damaged or missing plant labels, utilizing mapping tools, i.e., Survey 123.
• 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.
• Work with, oversee, and advise supervision as to the quality of the performance of assigned seasonal employees, contractors, or volunteers.
• Notify appropriate supervision of necessary repairs to garden features, equipment, or hardscapes in the Garden.
• Prepare and maintain the Garden for special events, exhibitions, and other large-scale grounds projects.
• Monitor and repair irrigation equipment.
• Monitor and maintain Garden water features.
• Proper maintenance of indoor and outdoor containerized plant displays
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required. Practical work experience in horticulture, landscaping, farming or related field is preferred. In lieu of a high school diploma, two years of practical work experience may be substituted. Must attain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR (classes provided). Must be able to obtain and maintain an Alabama Pesticide Operator's License (OTPC). Must be subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Outlook and Word.

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 direction to assigned seasonal employees, contractors, and 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 in all business matters.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 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 normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required.
• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. Exposure to loud, prolonged noises and/or vibrations.
• Equipment: Lawn mowers (riding, push, stand on), tree maintenance equipment (chipper, chain saw), backpack blower, aerator, string trimmer, edger, brush cutter, general gardening tools and equipment, utility vehicle, skid steer, tractor, front-end loader, dump truck, aerial lift, bucket truck, pick-up truck, two-way radio, cell phone, general office equipment.

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize major duties and responsibilities of employees, and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.