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A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Please also include relevant training, photos or a portfolio of relevant work. Submit everything as one file, due to system limitations.

Job Summary

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. 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. Visit our website HERE.

The Collections Horticulturist is a member of the Horticulture Team reporting to the Horticulture Lead and has collaborative relationships with MBGNA's Curators, Natural Areas, Education, and Visitor Experience teams. This position is an 80% (32 hours/week) permanent position with responsibilities at both Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Weekly work schedule may vary to fit organizational and individual schedules and will be determined in coordination with the Horticulture Lead and in accordance with University guidelines. The schedule will include occasional evenings and weekends and occasional travel.

What You'll Do

The Collections Horticulturist promotes the art and science of horticulture in designed and intentional landscapes, understands cultural requirements for growing plants, is knowledgeable in garden design and composition, and engages with University and community partners in support of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) mission. Responsibilities include the hands-on active care and maintenance of the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, including the surrounding landscapes, supports collections management and enhancement throughout MBGNA, assists colleagues with garden maintenance and horticulture team projects, and leads a diverse crew of volunteers and student staff to accomplish annual goals.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time offA retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions (match begins after one year)Many choices for comprehensive health insuranceLife insuranceLong-term disability coverageFlexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expensesResponsibilities*Operations and Coordination (60%):Prepare and present the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden and surrounding gardens for annual peony bloomMaintain and enhance perimeter and entry gardens throughout MBGNA's landscapes including but not limited to the Reader Center gardens and the Geddes EntranceUpdate and implement garden management plans in support of MBGNA's collections management plan and in coordination with the Curator, Horticulture Lead, and Collections CommitteeSupport    plant    production    for    plant    sales,    garden    displays,    collection enhancement, research purposes, and university courses and programsParticipate in other horticultural operations as needed including general garden maintenance, seasonal tasks, exhibitions, and projectsAssist with long-range planning for display gardens, including garden design, plant selection, and participating in garden bed renovationsImplement proper and appropriate horticultural practices to grow healthy plants and quality garden displaysUnderstand Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and recognize, diagnose, and properly treat pest problems as neededParticipate in weekend watering schedulesLeadership and Management (20%):Supervise student staff including internsEstablish and lead recurring and episodic volunteer(s)Identify, plan, and implement special projects aligned with MBGNA's strategic plan in coordination with the Curator and Horticulture lead and support by the Collections CommitteeOrganizational Collaboration (20%):Coordinate with Curator and Horticulture Lead to ensure plans align with Collections Committee processesProvide content, programs, and outreach activities with Education and Communication teamsPartner with Facilities team to ensure infrastructure improvement and maintenanceMeet with Education and Visitor Experience teams to ensure audiences and uses are foregrounded in care and design paradigmSupport GIS & Plant Records Specialist with data management including keeping accurate and current plant records, fixing/replacing labels and signs, ensuring content and mapping accuracy, and similar responsibilitiesOther tasks or responsibilities as assignedRequired Qualifications*Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Botany, Biology, or related field; equivalent combination of two plus years experience and completion of training and/or certificate in professional horticulture programs; or four plus years of professional experience in horticulture, landscape management, or nursery/greenhouse productionExperience managing volunteers and engaging with the publicPossess a Michigan Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license or complete certification within six-months of start dateModes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The salary range for this position is $38,000 - $40,000.

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 Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.