Assistant Horticulturist

University of North Florida; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Florida, Department of Physical Facilities, Grounds, seeks a Grounds Worker to assist in day-to-day cultivation, care and maintenance of plants within a designated area, under the guidance of a head horticulturist, ensuring landscape health and aesthetic appeal.

Responsibilities include preparing garden sites, planting and transplanting, plant care and irrigation management, pest control, pruning, greenhouse oversight, equipment maintenance, and keeping records; you will

Qualifications

• Certification in horticulture, botany, or plant-based sciences with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Or a high school diploma with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Directly related to job functions as per Florida Statute.

Responsibilities

• Prepare garden sites using hand tools or machinery.
• Plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, and lawns.
• Water, weed, fertilize, prune to meet design goals.
• Scout for pests and diseases; coordinate controls.
• Prune trees to improve structure following standards.
• Oversee greenhouse production with lead horticulturist.
• Adjust irrigation, shade, and ventilation in greenhouses.
• Maintain equipment and keep records of plant materials.
• Train student employees and supervise campus volunteers.
• Provide guided tours and attend events.

Skills

Plant care

Irrigation management

Pest management

Training student employees

Record keeping

Education

Certification in horticulture, botany or plant-based sciences

High school diploma with 4+ years of relevant experience

Job description

Department

Physical Facilities, Grounds

Compensation

$17.96 Hourly

Responsible for assisting in the day-to-day cultivation, care and maintenance of plant life within a designated area, including planting, weeding, pruning, irrigation management, pest control, and propagation, under the guidance of a head horticulturist, ensuring the overall health and aesthetic appeal of the landscape or garden space.

Other duties include:

• Preparing garden sites: Using hand tools or machines to prepare new garden plots, soils, and sites
• Planting and transplanting: Assisting with and supervising the planting and transplanting flowers, shrubs, trees, seeds, bulbs, and lawns
• Plant Care: Maintaining plants and gardens by watering, weeding, fertilizing, shearing, pruning to achieve aesthetic, design goals.
• Pest & Disease Management: Follow the GBMI best management practices for integrated pest management. Scout and monitor for pest, disease, and fugal issues. Report to the spray Tech with recommended IMP cultural controls.
• Subordinate tree pruning: Remove, shorten competing branches to develop a single leader to improve the structure and stability of each tree following the ANSI A300 and Z133 or newer pruning standards.
• Greenhouse: Work with the Lead Horticulturist to oversee, plan and schedule the production of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
• Adjusting irrigation systems: Adjusting mist irrigation systems, shade, and ventilation in greenhouses, gardens, or nurseries.
• Maintaining equipment: Operating, adjusting, and performing minor maintenance and repairs on equipment used in cultivation, moving plants, soil mixing, and spraying.
• Maintaining records: Keeping records of plant materials, supplies, equipment, and other requisitioned items
• Identifying plants: Assist with plant identification signage labels.
• Training student employees: Providing training and work direction to student employees.
• Directing campus volunteers: Providing training and work direction for campus landscape and grounds volunteers
• Additional responsibilities: Give guided tours and presentations. Attend special events.

Required Qualifications

Completion of an approved certification in horticulture, botany or plant-based sciences field and 2+ years of relevant experience or a high school diploma and 4+ years of relevant experience. directly related to the job functions. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.