Natural Areas Horticulturist at 132460 - Huntsville Madison Cty Botanical Garden – Huntsville, Alabama

Job Title: Natural Areas Horticulturist

Department: Plant Science & Conservation

Supervisor: Natural Areas Supervisor

Supervises: Gardeners, Volunteers, Seasonal Staff, and Intern(s)

FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt, Hourly

Revision Date: March 2025

Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, work will require occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours depending on the season. Occasional travel required.

Position Summary:

Applies strategic and tactical horticultural skills in the ecological management, development, and maintenance of plant collections and displays in the natural areas of the Garden. Support and participate in planning and execution for land and water resource projects for the Garden’s natural areas to achieve maximum native species diversity and reduce the presence and impact of invasive species.

Essential Duties:

• Develop, implement and evaluate necessary cultural practices for tree care, irrigation, storm water management and integrated pest management (IPM). Prepare areas for planting and restoration including tree cutting and removal, path clearance, and other activities related to the development and management of the plant communities in assigned areas of responsibility. Supervise tasks and work with gardeners daily, providing training in proper sustainable horticultural techniques as needed to teammates.
• Monitor and inspect plants for health deficiencies and problems, identify proper corrective measures and apply appropriate pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Control invasive plant species with chemical, mechanical, and cultural methods including applying herbicides, cutting and removing woody species, digging, mowing, raking, removing debris, and deadheading.
• Draft, perform, and evaluate the efficacy of Invasive Species Management Plans for identified species of concern in the region. Contribute to weekly task planning. Keep a running log of completed, current, and future goals for the Natural Area’s team.
• Assist with the Plant Conservation program as needed, and participate in research, study design, and implementation of safeguarding collections integration with horticultural displays in the Garden. Assist with the development of new and existing garden areas via selection of new plant material using HBG’s Plant Collections Master Plan for guidance.
• Collect and share data with the Plant Records staff regarding changes made to plant collections and measurements that assist with Garden operations and/or research objectives (e.g. plant removals/additions, DBH, soil pH, plant performance measures).
• Collaborate with the nursery team to assist with propagation of plants for natural area projects, including seed collection and cleaning, nursery maintenance, and seed dispersal at appropriate times of year in accordance with documentation and procedural requirements outlined in the Garden’s Living Collections Policy, Plant Collections Plan, and Garden Master Plan.
• Communicate and collaborate with other members of the Plant Sciences team and across departments in order to ensure the smooth operation of larger projects, as assigned.
• 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 staff and the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field and 1+ years of experience in landscape installation or maintenance or an equivalent combination of training, skills and experience.

Success Factors:

• Efficient and effective in execution of tasks including decision making skills and the ability to prioritize. Ability and willingness to adapt to a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in all weather conditions. Ability to organize work, create schedules, and problem solve.
• Ability to relate effectively and work with people of various backgrounds and ages.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regional flora and fauna required. Strong interest in native plants and their proper culture and care.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an Alabama Pesticide Applicator’s License within 1 year of hire.
• 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. Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Able to maintain certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in forestry, ecological restoration, conservation horticulture or a related field from an accredited program and 1+ years of relevant experience in ecological restoration, conservation horticulture, or public garden maintenance. Experience and interest in developing study designs and conducting plant-based research a plus.

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires significant amount of physical activity: some lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs.), bending, climbing, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, and traveling by equipment and vehicles. Sense of vision 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 or prolonged noise and/or vibration.
• 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, bucket truck, pick-up truck, two-way radio, cell phone, general office equipment.
• Schedule: Must be able to work flexible hours due to weather conditions, including some evenings, weekends and holidays.

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.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

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.