Arboretum Assistant

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual membership to Wildflower Center

Discounts on Center classes

Shop and Gallery discounts

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is seeking a part-time Arboretum Assistant to support landscape maintenance and tree planting in the Texas Arboretum. This 19-hour/week position runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to Noon, through December 23, 2026, with a possible extension up to 6 months depending on needs and funding.

Responsibilities include trail maintenance, mulching, mowing, soil prep, irrigation setup, and operating grounds equipment.

Qualifications

• Previous landscape maintenance experience.
• Must perform strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Trail maintenance, mulching, mowing and edging, soil preparation and tree planting.
• Operate grounds equipment including riding m mower, utility vehicles, leaf blower, string trimmer, skid steer, mini-excavator and tractor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Landscape maintenance

Manual labor tolerance

Driver license

Job description

Job Posting Title

Arboretum Assistant

Hiring Department

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

19

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue Until Dec 23, 2026

Location

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Job Details

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.

Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose Statement

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is looking for part-time seasonal help to assist with landscape maintenance and tree planting in the Texas Arboretum. The Texas Arboretum encompasses 20 acres within the Wildflower Center dedicated to growing a collection of trees native to Texas with a focus on Oaks. This position is a 19-hour per week position, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to Noon. Position is for 2 months through December 23, 2026, with a possibility of extension for up to 6 months total based on need and funding.

Responsibilities

• Trail maintenance, mulching, mowing and edging, soil preparation and tree planting, installation of irrigation and cages for newly planted trees.
• Equipment operation to complete job duties including riding lawn mower, utility vehicles, leaf blower, string trimmer, skid steer, mini-excavator, and tractor.
• Soil preparation for tree planting with use of mini-excavator and tractor with tiller.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Previous landscape maintenance experience including equipment operation.
• Must be able to perform strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver License.
• Bending and lifting required.
• Lift/carry up to 50 Ibs. Push/pull up to 50 Ibs

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous tree planting experience.
• Skill in the use and safe operation of grounds maintenance equipmentsuch as riding mowers, string trimmers, skid steers, excavators, tractors, and hand tools.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary Range

$20.00 per hour

Working Conditions

Must be able to perform strenuous manual labor in all weather conditions.

Work Shift

Monday through Friday, 8:00am to Noon, 19 hours per week

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.