Horticulturist I - Outdoor

Summary : This position is responsible for the selection and addition of plant species into the Garden's Living Collections for assigned areas to support plant conservation and build research capacity. The living collection includes herbaceous perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and vines, and a critical component of this position is the expansion of assigned collections according to MBG policies and guidelines. Design, installation and maintenance of landscapes and individual plants must be conducted to the highest standards. Researching and recording cultivation information is essential, as is using this information to modify the growing environment as necessary to ensure plant health. Accurate and detailed record keeping and plant labeling is critical.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Works with Supervisor to target and develop plant collections and landscapes according to Garden policy and area descriptions
• Utilizes Index Seminum, the Garden's Targeting Database, and other resources to select species and develop the garden's collections
• During species selection, conducts research entering information on plant habit and cultivation into the Targeting Database
• Utilizes internal data sources such as the Living Collections Management System, Targeting Database and external data sources to aid in individual plant cultivation and landscape maintenance decisions
• Records relevant procedures in Living Collections Management System to support integrity of records for short term operations and long term institutional knowledge
• Exhibits the highest level of ethical conduct in obtaining and sharing plant material and ensures compliance with MBG policies
• Performs plant record keeping at the highest level ensuring that all plants in the collection have accession labels at all times and all maintenance information regarding the collection (i.e. new plantings, divisions, moves, deaths, etc.) is up to date at all times.
• Performs a wide range of landscape / maintenance tasks important to the cultivation, preservation, protection and transplanting of existing plants; including but not limited to soil preparation, planting, staking, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation, pruning, training, IPM and pesticide application as needed
• Understands, consistently monitors, and implements appropriate irrigation requirements for a variety of plant material and utilizes technology to tailor irrigation schedules to assigned collections
• Requests propagation of plants in the collections to ensure survival, paying particular attention to rare and threatened species and those of wild origin
• Applies landscape / maintenance tasks to ensure care of assigned garden areas meets Missouri Botanical Garden expectations.
• Plants and maintains displays in a manner that enables plant genetics and accessions data to be preserved and allows the public to easily distinguish plants when reading plant labels
• Completes landscape designs and oversees the layout and installation of plant material
• Plans, in advance, for minor and major landscape changes and requests plant material in time for it to be propagated and grown to size by nursery staff
• Operates technical equipment, submits maintenance requests in a timely manner, and maintains general care of tools and equipment necessary for operations to include but not limited to : vehicles, forklifts, pallet trucks, carts, lifts, Cushmans, tractors, cultivators, mechanical sprayers, and a variety of hand tools
• Participates in field work locally, nationally and internationally for plant collecting expeditions, as well as, horticulture capacity building
• Assigns, leads and directs the work of volunteers to deliver and complete projects
• Completes assigned tasks as needed in support of seasonal displays and annual flower shows
• Ensures that all tool storage areas and work areas are kept clean and tidy
• Performs assigned weekend watering rotation duties
• Performs snow removal on Garden grounds, when called upon, to maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately to supervisor
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed and adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards
• Maintains a professional demeanor, answering informal questions from the public as needed when working on Garden grounds
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Behaves & communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors / managers, volunteers, visitors and others.

Supervisory Responsibilities : None.

Competencies :

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Education :

Computer Skills :

Mathematical Skills :

Reasoning Ability :

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations :

Physical Demands :

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Contacts with Individuals / Organizations inside / outside the Garden :

Supervisor : Manager, Landscape and Plant Collections