Horticulturist

Announcement

Details

Open Date
02/07/2024

Requisition Number
PRN37656B

Job Title
Horticulturist

Working Title
Horticulturist II (First Impressions)

Job Grade
D

FLSA Code
Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No

Standard Hours per Week
40 hours/week

Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time

Shift
Day

Work Schedule Summary

Tuesday through Saturday, with one evening shift per week from April through mid-October. Additional shifts are periodically required to provide coverage for Garden programs/events or snow removal. As 'essential personnel' this position is expected to provide coverage during Holidays and University Closure Days, to provide minimum garden coverage, clear the Garden for reopening, and/or respond to other emergencies as required.

VP Area
President

Department
00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Location
Campus

City
Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment
External Posting

Pay Rate Range
$19.00 - $20.05/hr including an excellent benefits package.

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden is seeking a Horticulturist II for the First Impressions (Entrance drive/Parking lot, Visitor Center, Courtyard and Four Season's) Gardens. Performs high-level horticultural maintenance and supports the supervisor with ensuring the same in assigned garden areas, including the living plant collections held within. Must work as a functional team with assigned supervisor to identify and implement all maintenance and preservation needs in assigned areas, ensuring maintenance activities are performed safely and without impact to Garden or private events by coordinating special projects with appropriate personnel and departments as needed. Supports the supervisor in providing leadership and training to seasonal staff and volunteers.

A generous benefits package is included (see here for a full description of the benefits package):

• 14.2% employer retirement contribution in addition to employee contributions (automatic and immediately vested)
• Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA)
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month
• Excellent health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system
• Tuition reduction for employees and family members
• Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and HSA/FSA savings plans are available
• Free public transportation pass (see here for more information)

Other perks of working at the Garden, a department of the University of Utah:

• Discounts for campus events and the campus store, as well as campus library privileges.
• Staff receive a half-price discount on Garden classes, an employee discount in our gift shop, advance registration opportunities for kids camps and concerts, and two free concert tickets for our Outdoor Concert series.
• Staff are provided work shirts and gloves, and on-the-job training.

Red Butte Garden is accessible via several bus routes that stop in Research Park and at the University Medical Center, as well as the Trax Red line, followed by a short walk or on-demand university campus shuttle. The campus shuttle offers a direct line to Red Butte Garden via the Sunnyside Route. For more information see:

• https://commuterservices.utah.edu/uta/
• https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/
• https://www.redbuttegarden.org/directions/

Responsibilities

• Performs garden maintenance and supports the supervisor to ensure all maintenance and preservation of assigned outdoor garden areas and their living plant collections meet excellent horticultural and aesthetic expectations and achieve individual collection objectives. This team has a strong focus on plants that have multiple season interest, water wise and native plants, and plants that are heat and salt tolerant.
• Assists supervisor with interviewing and hiring seasonal staff; jointly and independently leads seasonal staff and volunteers in the performance of garden maintenance expectations while following safety guidelines.
• Assists and supports the supervisor to evaluate, prioritize, design, and implement plant displays and improvements to plantings and garden areas that no longer meet performance expectations.
• Monitors assigned areas and living plant collections for damage from a wide variety of pests, including invasive plant species, and coordinates treatment actions in advance to avoid disruption to scheduled events. Researches and uses biological, mechanical, and chemical methods to safely control invasive plant species.
• Serves as a professional horticulturist serving as a 'public face' by greeting and interacting with guests, responding to inquiries, and providing horticultural content for Garden publications.
• Participates in the Garden's living plant collection committees and meets periodically to monitor and evaluate the living plant collections, their care, and performance.
• Ensures staff and volunteers are trained on department and UofU policies and guidelines applicable to the work performance required of their positions; enforces policies and guidelines accordingly.
• Assists with snow and ice removal operations as necessary and in a manner that is safe and efficient to preserving garden structures, hardscape, and plant life.
• Collaborates with the Horticulture department and supervisor to implement assigned section(s) of Fundraiser Plant Sales.
• Reports and/or assists in the coordination of preventative and routine maintenance and potential safety concerns.
• May teach classes in areas of expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), and two years of experience in horticulture. Strong knowledge and understanding of plant culture and best practices for ornamental and/or native plant care.

Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
This position is not responsible for providing patient care.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• Specific knowledge of:
  • Perennials and ornamental grasses
  • Spring flowering bulbs
  • Trees and shrubs
  • Natives and water wise
  • Salt and heat tolerance
• Ability to identify major plant genera and species, knowledge of botanical names, and characteristics of a wide range of ornamental and native plants;
• Ability to identify a wide variety of horticultural weeds, insects (including beneficials), and diseases, determine and implement appropriate treatment;
• A valid Utah driver's license and proof of insurability;
• A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or obtain within first six months of employment;
• Able to safely and proficiently operate all equipment and tools common to the trade;
• Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position and to work safely in inclement conditions, heat, cold, precipitation, etc.
• Demonstrated human relations skills; including effective written and oral communication;
• Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence;
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Adobe.
• Experience working in a public garden;
• 2 years' experience leading others;
• Landscape design & use of related software;
• Advanced degree in Horticulture.

Type
Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.