Assistant Horticulturist

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Health Savings Account

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

12 paid holidays plus winter break

Job summary

A leading memorial garden in Kansas City seeks an Assistant Horticulturist to manage horticultural design and maintenance, supervise staff, and work closely with volunteers. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture and at least five years of experience. The position offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, and a flexible schedule. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a commitment to horticultural excellence, contributing to a meaningful visitor experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of professional horticultural experience.
• Ability to design, install, and maintain garden beds.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design, install, and maintain garden beds.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to interact with a diverse audience.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and perform frequent bending, squatting, and other physical tasks throughout the workday.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining the Memorial Garden and assigned areas.
• Develop seasonal planting plans and long-term strategies.
• Supervise and evaluate horticultural staff.
• Coordinate daily work plans and ensure work is completed to a high standard of quality and safety.
• Lead and support volunteers by teaching proper horticultural techniques and best practices.
• Ensure plant health through proper pruning, fertilization, irrigation, pest management, and soil care.
• Collaborate with Foundation leadership to align garden presentation with the mission and values of the organization.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a safe and organized manner.

Skills

Horticultural design

Supervisory leadership

Plant materials knowledge

Landscape maintenance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field

Job description

The Assistant Horticulturist is an action-oriented leadership position responsible for the overall horticultural design, installation, care, and maintenance of the Ewing & Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden and designated areas within Kauffman Legacy Park. This role ensures the highest standards of horticultural excellence and presentation befitting a memorial garden, providing visitors with a meaningful and premier display garden experience.

Position Summary

The Assistant Horticulturist works closely with volunteers to teach and model sound gardening practices. This position requires both strategic oversight and hands‑on horticultural work. The role is primarily outdoor with some indoor responsibilities, and candidates must be able to perform manual labor under the climatic conditions typical of Kansas City, Missouri.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the horticultural design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the Memorial Garden and assigned park areas.
• Develop and implement seasonal planting plans, maintenance schedules, and long-term garden strategies appropriate for a memorial setting.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate one full-time Horticulturist and one part-time seasonal Horticulturist.
• Coordinate daily work plans and ensure work is completed to a high standard of quality and safety.
• Lead and support volunteers by teaching proper horticultural techniques and best practices.
• Ensure plant health through proper pruning, fertilization, irrigation, pest management, and soil care.
• Collaborate with Foundation leadership to align garden presentation with the mission and values of the organization.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a safe and organized manner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of professional horticultural experience, including supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of plant materials, landscape maintenance techniques, and display garden standards.
• Demonstrated ability to design, install, and maintain garden beds.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to interact with a diverse audience.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and perform frequent bending, squatting, and other physical tasks throughout the workday.

Salary and Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City – Preferred Care Blue medical insurance, with 100% of the employee premium paid by the Foundation
• Health Savings Account: Annual employer-funded HSA covering the maximum out-of-pocket BCBS medical expense ($4,000 for individual coverage)
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance: Coverage up to one times annual salary
• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement Plan: 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 3% (both subject to service requirements)
• Paid Time Off: 15 days (three weeks) of vacation annually
• 12 paid holidays, plus the week of winter break

This position also offers a flexible schedule and the opportunity to work in a mission-driven environment dedicated to stewardship, beauty, and public engagement.