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.

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 normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment are required.
• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. Exposure to loud, prolonged noises and/or vibrations.
• Equipment: Lawnmowers (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, 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.

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.