Details

Open Date 07/29/2024

Requisition Number PRN39373B

Job Title Horticulturist

Working Title Horticulturist II Greenhouse IPM

Job Grade D

FLSA Code Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

This position requires attendance in order to perform job duties. Will typically work a routine 5-day/week schedule, typically Sunday through Thursday, however actual days and times may vary to ensure satisfactory implementation of job responsibilities, and to provide necessary care while avoiding impact to scheduled events and peak greenhouse activities. Also includes occasional summertime evening shifts. Must be able to respond 24/7 when Greenhouse systems send an alarm/warning or ensure the appropriate response.

VP Area President

Department 00340 - Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range 19.00 or more depending on experience

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum ( RBGA ) is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and together with the University of Utah, is the State Arboretum of Utah. We are located on 100 acres in the foothills on the eastern edge of the University of Utah campus. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. The Garden; which is community-funded; is renowned for its numerous plant collections, display gardens, 580,000 springtime blooming bulbs; including a vast collection of daffodils; gorgeous private event spaces, a world-class outdoor concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.

Red Butte Garden is seeking a Horticulturist II to lead the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program within the Garden’s greenhouse production facilities, seasonal container displays, and indoor plant displays. Assists in the implementation of all Greenhouse team responsibilities, including ensuring plants are properly irrigated, ensuring the operation, maintenance, and repair of greenhouse facilities and equipment, implementation and care of the outdoor container and indoor display programs, implementation of plant production program, and that job responsibilities avoid impact to Garden events.

Assists with providing leadership and training for part-time staff and volunteers in accomplishing department goals/duties. This position requires the performance of chemical applications as required/assigned and requires a non-commercial pesticide applicators license.

A generous benefits package is included (seeherefor a full description of the benefits package):

• 14.2% employer retirement contribution in addition to employee contributions (automatic and immediately vested)

• Paid parental leave (in addition to FMLA )

• 11 paid holidays per year plusvacation accruals each month

• Excellent health insurance options that are both affordable and allow access to care through the University of Utah health system

• Tuition reduction for employees and family members

• Options for short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and HSA / FSA savings plans are available

• Free public transportation pass (seeherefor more information)

Other perks of working at the Garden, a department of the University of Utah:

• Discounts for campus events and the campus store, as well as campus library privileges.

• Staff receive a half-price discount on Garden classes, an employee discount in our gift shop, advance registration opportunities for kids camps and concerts, and two free concert tickets for our Outdoor Concert series.

• Staff are provided work shirts and gloves, and on-the-job training.Red Butte Garden is accessible via several bus routes that stop in Research Park and at the University Medical Center, as well as the Trax Red line, followed by a short walk or on-demand university campus shuttle. The campus shuttle offers a direct line to Red Butte Garden via the Sunnyside Route. For more information see:

• https://commuterservices.utah.edu/uta/

• https://commuterservices.utah.edu/campus-shuttle/

• https://www.redbuttegarden.org/directions/

Responsibilities

• Leads in programming and implementing the Integrated Pest Management Program; duties include and are not limited to: scouting, monitoring, sanitation, identifying and diagnosing plant health concerns, researching and confirming appropriate controls for indoor spaces and greenhouse production, applying appropriate controls, and tracking, evaluating, and documenting the effectiveness of control measures. Pests include plant-feeding insects, diseases, weeds, and structural pests. IPM tools include sanitation, disinfecting, a variety of beneficial controls, bio-rational (derived from mature), soft (environmentally low impact) products, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. as required; the former is strongly encouraged.

• Maintains a current chemical inventory and SDS sheets.

• Leads in facilities maintenance and repair projects as needed or assigned. Troubleshoots facilities issues, determines and recommends repairs. Assists Greenhouse Manager with yearly maintenance tasks, including but not limited to peak vent, wet wall, and ventilation maintenance.

• Daily assists with oversite and irrigation of all plant materials, including in the greenhouses, holding area, outdoor containers, and interior displays.

• Assists in providing leadership and training for seasonal staff and volunteers in the performance of department responsibilities.

• Assists with implementing the Plant Production Program, including propagation through various methods, transplanting, PGR applications, and maintaining optimum conditions for production.

• Assists with plantings for outdoor containers and interior seasonal displays for multiple seasons per year, hanging baskets for the spring plant sale fundraiser, floral displays for the annual volunteer appreciation event, and other projects as assigned.

• Assists with receiving and inspecting plant material deliveries, alerting the Greenhouse Manager to potential concerns, and the Seasonal Trial Plant Program.

• Serves as a professional member of the horticulture safety sub-committee, and other committees as required. Assists in training staff on safety regarding but not limited to pesticide and workplace safety.

• Teaches programs in the area of expertise, and assists in responding to public inquiries, providing content for garden publications, website, TV, and radio spots.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Greenhouse or Nursery Management, Horticulture, Floriculture, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), and two years of experience in horticulture. Strong knowledge and understanding of plant culture and best practices for ornamental and/or native plant care.

Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

This position is not responsible for providing patient care.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• 2 or more years of experience in pest management in a production greenhouse or similar environment;

• Specific knowledge of best care practices for a wide variety of plant taxa, knowledge of botanical names, characteristics of a wide range or ornamental plants and their light, cultural, water, and fertilization requirements;

• Demonstrated proficiency in identifying plant pests, including weeds, insects, and diseases, and determining and implementing appropriate treatment methods ( IPM ) including using beneficials, common insecticides and fungicides, application techniques, and pesticide safety practices;

• Specific knowledge of integrated pest management programming, including sanitation techniques, chemical and biological control products and rotation schedules;

• At least 2-years’ experience in leading others;

• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurability;

• A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or ability to obtain the same within 6 months of hire;

• Working knowledge of EPA and State regulations and laws regarding pesticide use and safety, and plant material shipping quarantine requirements;

• Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence;

• Able to safely and proficiently operate and troubleshoot equipment common to the trade, including greenhouse controllers, heaters, cooling units, fertilizer units, misters, germination chambers, pesticide application equipment, greenhouse tools, etc.;

• 1 year of experience in greenhouse plant production, with a strong knowledge of greenhouse operation and protocols, propagation methods, sanitation techniques, plant fertility, and chemistry;

• Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position;

• Demonstrated organizational and managerial skills;

• Demonstrated proficiency with computers, including, Microsoft office, data tracking software, and spreadsheet applications;

• Experience working in a public garden;

• Advanced degree in Horticulture.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.