College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

How to Apply

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. A one-page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in this position and outline experience that directly relates to it.

Summary

The University of Michigan, Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum is looking for one full-time temporary (9 month, 2 term limited) Greenhouse and Display Gardens Horticulture Technician. You will report to the Horticulture Lead with daily work coordinated with the Greenhouse and Display Gardens Horticulturist. You will assist with the development and care of living plant collections to support teaching, research, public outreach, and conservation goals. This position is onsite 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend and evening responsibilities.

Who We Are

University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) stewards over 840 acres of land and water across four properties in and around Ann Arbor, with Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens serving as its two anchor locations. Click here to view our Strategic Plan. With more than 500,000 annual visitors, MBGNA is committed to becoming a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the lands and waters we steward. We put that commitment into action by:  

• Positioning humans as active participants within the natural world and compelling the university community and our publics to negotiate the full complexity that entails
• Advancing partnerships, programs, user experience, and all that we steward to catalyze equity and justice in a radically changing world
• Emerging as University of Michigan's premier partner for research, teaching, and public impact in sustainability, climate-forward practices, and biocultural diversity
• Promoting healthier communities, cultures, and ecosystems through active care and cultivation of the gardens, fields, natural habitats, and dynamic systems that sustain our world

Responsibilities*

• Prepare the display gardens for daily visitation, special events, and educational programs in coordination with the Greenhouse and Display Gardens Horticulturist and consistent with Collections Management Plans
• Maintain specimens, collections, and crops using appropriate horticultural techniques and following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies including applying pesticides 
• Create annual display designs and produce display crops through various propagation methods
• Maintain accurate and current plant records, fixing/replacing labels and signs, creating and maintaining crop production schedules, and similar responsibilities
• Participate in the weekend watering rotation and assist with conservatory and greenhouse operations including indoor watering, cleaning floors, removing compost, moving plants, operating vents and similar
• Operate power equipment including utility vehicles, tractors, trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws
• Lead student staff and volunteers to accomplish work goals
• Work in multiple conditions and tolerate the physical challenges of a garden and greenhouse work environment

Required Qualifications*

• Associate's degree or higher in a related field or 1+ years of experience in horticulture, gardening, landscape maintenance, nursery or greenhouse plant production
• A State of Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License or willingness to obtain one within 90 days of starting is required (MBGNA provides study materials and covers certification expenses)
• Occasionally move and safely transport potting soil and planters weighing up to 40 pounds
• A valid Driver's License and  motor vehicle record (MVR) check is required

Additional Information

Compensation:  $18.50 per hour

This temporary position may meet eligibility requirements for health care benefits. For more information, please see the eligibility section for temporary employees here.

For more information about Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, please visit mbgna.umich.edu

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for at least seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Job Detail