Horticulturist

Primary Function

The Horticulturist is responsible for supporting the Horticulture Manager in all aspects of care and maintenance of the landscape at Calder Gardens. This includes daily hands-on maintenance of the diverse plantings of herbaceous plants, trees, and shrubs including weeding, planting, watering, and pruning; supporting public use of the site along with related events and programs; working with seasonal gardeners, interns, and contractors; playing a large part in managing and supervising volunteers to maintain the gardens.

Target Start Date March 2026

Job Qualifications

Education, Training 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
  Associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, environmental studies or related field preferred.
• We encourage applicants with diverse horticultural backgrounds and skills to apply. The ideal candidate possesses experience in garden maintenance and horticultural practices. 
  Previous public garden employment a plus.
• Flexible schedule, including availability for weekends and evenings.

Experience

• One year of relevant experience required.
• Licenses, Certifications
• Valid driver’s license valid in Pennsylvania that must be maintained for the duration of employment. 
• Additional certifications or training horticulture a plus.

Clearances:  

• Criminal Background-National
• MVR Driving Record 

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 90%+ of worked time is spent standing or moving around the work area.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move 50 lbs with proper tools and equipment.
• Ability to move to access files, equipment or supplies. 

Vision Requirements:

• This position may require extended time on the computer during the winter months.

Communication Requirements:  

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference.  
• Communicate with others in conversational and written English. 

Working Conditions:

• Position operates in Calder Gardens buildings and grounds. 
• This position may require extended time on the computer during the winter months.
• Ability to walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl.
• Ability to traverse grounds and gardens daily, working outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, humidity, and rain, sometimes for extended periods of time.  
• Ability to operate electric equipment and power tools in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Care and Maintenance
  • The Horticulturist is responsible for assisting the Horticulture Manager with all day-to-day maintenance of the Calder Gardens landscape and living collections.
  • Maintain the garden under the Horticulture Manager’s direction including weeding, planting, watering, pruning, and dividing.
  • Ensure cleanliness and safety of the garden through daily morning walkthrough, including clearing damage, debris and litter. 
  • Support the Horticulture Manager in monitoring the water needs of the gardens.
  • Learn how to operate and maintain drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. 
  • Assist the Horticulture Manager in maintaining plant health through Integrated Pest Management principles including scouting, identifying, reporting, and documenting pests and diseases. 
  • Repair plant bed damage due to extreme weather, construction disturbance, and visitor intrusion. 
  • Alert the Horticulture Manager to related hardscape issues such as damage to signs and plant bed protections.
  • Along with the Horticulture Manager, inventory, maintain, store, and stage tools and equipment for daily horticulture operations.
  • Maintain the department’s storage and operation space with attention to cleanliness and safety. 
  • Operate vehicles including a utility vehicle and pick-up truck as needed. 
  • Provide detailed and timely instructions to volunteers with regards to their work assignments. 
  • Provide training orientation to volunteers as needed. 
  • Assist with data collection and monitoring of the garden.
  • Collaborate with the horticulture manager to achieve strategic departmental goals. 
  • Be present in the garden in the Horticulture Manager’s absence.
  • Attend scheduled meetings as part of the Calder Gardens Horticulture team and Operations department. 
  • Support other departments with various tasks as needed. 
  • Work carefully around all works of art on the campus, both indoors and outdoors. 
  • Safely use a fall-protection harness and lanyard when working in fall hazard zones.
  • Perform other duties as needed. 
• Communication and Teamwork
  • Act as an ambassador for Calder Gardens answering visitors’ questions about horticulture, Calder Gardens history, design, and general information. 
  • Assist the Horticulture Manager in supporting horticulture-related activities, events and programs such as corporate partners and members events, education and community events, and volunteer programs. 
  • Commitment to perform any and all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of garden management. 
  • Must be a collaborative team-player and willing to maintain positive engagement with the public and colleagues. 
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Commitment to complete and abide by safety training. 
  • Basic PC skills and familiarity with MS Office and Google Suite. 
  • Completion of OSHA 30 training. 
  • Perform other tasks as assigned.

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. 1. Accountability:
   1. Prepares for work assignments and meetings,
   2. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through,
   3. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment.
2. Job Quality:
   1. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,
   2. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output,
   3. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role.
3. Service:
   1. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions.
   2. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values.
   3. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas.
4. Leadership:
   1. Sets a good example for others,
   2. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication,
   3. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach.
5. Collaboration:
   1. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making,
   2. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others,
   3. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.