Horticultural Specialist

Job Description

Job Summary:

The UW-Madison Arboretum promotes ecologically sustainable relationships between people and the land through research, stewardship, education, and public engagement.

The Longenecker Horticultural Gardens (LHG) at the Arboretum houses the largest and most diverse collection of woody plants in the state, containing over 2,600 different taxa and approximately 4,000 specimens spread over 40 acres. The gardens have been an integral part of the Arboretum since its inception in 1935 and host hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Highlights include a major lilac collection, the most up-to-date collection of flowering crabapples in the world, and an extensive conifer collection. The longtime mission of LHG has been to evaluate woody plants for landscape and climate adaptation, as well as aesthetic merit, and to maintain a comprehensive collection of superior landscape plants for academic teaching, genetic resource preservation and educating the gardening public.

The position works under the general supervision of the Longenecker Garden Curator and is a member of the Arboretum Land Care field crew. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable in the cultivation of woody plants using best horticultural practices. This includes being familiar with proper planting techniques, pruning practices, integrated pest management, plant physiology and nutrition and basic soil biology.

The Arboretum is committed to embracing social equity and intentional inclusivity as fundamental parts of everything we do, and to fostering connections to the land among diverse audiences.

Responsibilities:

Supports the activities of assigned field or ground areas by maintaining plant production, record keeping, and maintenance to ensure operational efficiencies.

65% Coordinates the planting, sowing, fertilization, trimming, watering, and spraying of assigned areas
5% Maintains inventory data for assigned area including tagging, insect monitoring, and planting and moving
5% Develops, coordinates and executes spraying programs for fungicide, pesticide, and herbicide applications
5% Performs all necessary snow removal duties in the winter
10% Supports educational, communication, and outreach activities and programs with internal and external stakeholders, including visitors, volunteers, and/or student employees
10% Supports management of Arboretum natural areas and grounds, as well as infrastructure maintenance; may prepare for and implement prescribed fire

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

Education:

Required
H.S. Diploma

Qualifications:

Minimum requirements:

2 years of professional work experience in horticultural maintenance, in a public garden environment, or in a related field, OR Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, forestry, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledgeable in woody plant identification and cultivation.
Ability to work well individually, as well as a member of a crew with other staff members or volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
Experience using large and small power equipment as well as garden related hand tools.
Ability to perform a wide range of landscape maintenance tasks important to the preservation, protection and display of the collection, including but not limited to proper pruning, soil preparation, specimen planting and removal, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pesticide application, tree work, and seasonal deer enclosure installation.
Capacity to help with database management and run plant labeling systems.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn plant records database and other new systems.
Ability to seasonally assist with snow removal and plowing.
Ability to behave and communicate in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, inclusion, and cooperation with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, and visitors.
The position requires manual dexterity and the ability to work for long periods in all weather conditions, performing skilled and highly technical manual tasks. Must be able to stoop, stretch, bend, lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion, and safely operate power equipment.

The selected candidate will need the following certifications at time of hire or have the ability to complete within 12 months of hire:

Certification as Wisconsin pesticide applicator

Certification in chainsaw safety,

Certification in First Aid, CPR, AED

License/Certification:

Required
Drivers License – Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Required
Pesticide Applicator – State Licensure
Certification as Wisconsin pesticide applicator, or ability to become certified within 12 months of hiring

Work Schedule:

Regular work hours: M-F 7am-12pm & 12:30pm-3:30pm Additional and/or irregular hours may be required for snow removal, prescribed burns and hazardous tree removal.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $22.00 HOURLY
Depending on Qualifications

How to Apply:

To be considered, applications must be submitted online. Please click on the “Apply Now” button to start the application process. You will be required to upload a cover letter and resume. Your materials should include all relevant education and/or work experience as it relates to this position. Our search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify applicants selected to participate further in the selection process directly. We will notify all applicants once the search is completed and we have selected a top candidate who has accepted the position.

Contact:

Josh Goldman
[email protected]
608-890-4612
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Horticulture/Forestry Spec(FP077)

Department(s):

A34-OVCR/ARBORETUM/ARBORETUM

Employment Class:

University Staff-Ongoing

Job Number:

303106-CP

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

University of WisconsinMadison