Gardener

Gardener

As a member of Rice University's 30+ person Grounds team, the Gardener plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and inspiring environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining the university's ornamental gardens, flower beds, and more than 300 trees, ensuring the campus reflects Rice's world-class reputation.

Reporting to the Director of Grounds & Landscape Design, the Gardener supports the university's mission through innovative and effective landscape management. The role emphasizes excellence in plant care, including preventative maintenance and corrective procedures, to promote the health, beauty, and vibrancy of campus green spaces.

The ideal candidate is passionate about horticulture, enjoys working collaboratively within a supportive team, and takes pride in creating and sustaining beautiful outdoor spaces. In addition to joining a meaningful and mission-driven team, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, health insurance, tuition discounts, and access to campus facilities.

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person, Monday through Friday, from 6 : 30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May be required to work overtime 34 times a year. Must be available to work occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions, especially during a campus emergency.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed hourly rate is $17.00$18.08, depending on qualifications and experience. Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements :

• No formal education
• 2 years of hands-on landscaping, horticulture, or gardening experience

Skills :

Preferences :

Essential Functions :

Additional Functions :

Work Conditions :

Work Environment : Primarily an outdoor work environment, which includes exposure to temperature and weather extremes (heat, cold, rain, etc.). Work Hazards : Exposed to dirt, dust, fumes, pollen, noise, and hazardous chemicals such as insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Some work may occur at heightened elevations on ladders and scaffolding. Work with heavy equipment such as chainsaws, mowers, hedge trimmers, etc.

Physical Demands : HEAVY : Exert up to 70 lbs. of force occasionally, and / or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and / or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Requires walking or standing up to 8 hours per day and multi-limb coordination to operate heavy equipment and drive a vehicle. Other physical requirements of the job include the ability to bend / crouch / kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance.