Gardener and Assistant Curator

Smith College; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College in Northampton, MA seeks a Landscape Garden Technician to maintain multiple garden areas, select and propagate plants, and support education and research programs.

Under the Landscape Curator, you will supervise interns, coordinate with staff, and contribute to integrated pest management while ensuring safety and documentation in all activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3–5 years of professional horticulture experience with emphasis on perennial garden design, curation and maintenance.
• 1 year minimum horticultural work with alpine plants; Massachusetts driver license; drive credentials; background check.
• Massachusetts Core Applicator or Private Applicator license within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Independently maintain multiple garden areas to high professional horticultural standards.
• Apply horticultural knowledge to plant health, soil management, watering, fertilization and pest control.
• Ensure garden infrastructure is in good repair and report deficiencies.
• Design, plan, renovate and install new plantings guided by policies and management plans.
• Maintain plant records in databases, inventory plant tags, and support Living Collections.
• Coordinate with staff to optimize health, aesthetics, safety, and resources.
• Assist other gardeners and facilities staff as needed.
• Support integrated pest management and minimize chemical interventions.
• Support research, education and student engagement with the Botanic Garden.
• Maintain inventories of supplies, tools, and spaces; ensure safety and proper storage.
• Communicate purchasing needs; obtain estimates for products and services.
• Perform duties related to collection maintenance and operation.
• Operate a pickup truck or utility cart when required.

Skills

Inclusive programming

Plant identification

Plant cultivation

Garden design

Reading instructions

Pesticide handling

Record keeping

Team collaboration

Mentoring interns

Email communication

Adaptability to tech

Workload planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

IrisBG

Job description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [e-mail]. DepartmentBotanic GardenJob Description

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

With guidance from the Landscape Curator, work independently and with other Botanic Garden staff to maintain the health, aesthetics, safety, maps, and records of the RBR Border, Rock Garden, Systematics, Fern Garden, Lanning Fountain landscape, annual border, Lyman beds, and adjacent lawns and gardens. Work with supervisor to select and or propagate plants for these areas as required and assigned. Regularly supervise, mentor, train, collaborate with, and serve as a resource for interns, work study students, faculty, and researchers who wish to use the collections for research, education, conservation, and recreation. As needed, assist with other landscape care projects and events as assigned by the Landscape Curator or Director. Support efforts to advance inclusion and belonging in teaching and learning about plants, people, and place, including efforts to broaden access and participation in public horticulture and related educational opportunities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently maintain the RBR Border, Rock Garden, Systematics, Fern Garden, Lanning Fountain landscape, annual border, Lyman beds, and adjacent lawns and gardens to the highest professional horticultural standards.
• Apply horticultural knowledge to maintain healthy plants through plant selection, propagation, soil management, watering, fertilization, plant placement, weeding, mowing, pest/disease treatments, and all other appropriate interventions.
• Ensure garden infrastructure, structures, and hardscaping are in good repair and communicate deficiencies to appropriate personnel.
• Design, plan, renovate, and install new plantings. Consult college policies, Collection Policy priorities, Collections Management Plan, Botanic Garden educational objectives, and strategic planning goals to guide selection of plant materials, design of spaces, and installation of associated infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate plant records in the collections database, GIS database, and related record keeping systems. Inventory, install, and replace plant tags in garden spaces. Follow protocols for accessioning, deaccessioning, inventorying, and moving plants. Enable the work of the Manager of Living Collections through regular communication and collaboration.
• Coordinate activities and projects with other Botanic Garden staff to ensure efficient and timely completion of work. Create and assess work plans that optimize collection health, campus aesthetics, safety, time management, and efficient use of resources.
• Assist other gardeners, horticulturalists, and facilities staff with projects as needed.
• Contribute to integrated pest management strategies and solutions. Scout for pests and diseases and maintain plantings in a way that minimizes the need for chemical interventions. Take necessary steps to manage pest and disease issues including applying pesticides in compliance with all state and federal regulations. Stay current on emerging pests and pathogens and their detection, treatments, and prevention.
• Enable and support research, education, and student engagement at the Botanic Garden. Provide a supportive experiential learning environment for interns, work-study students, and those using the garden for scholarship or recreation. Supervise, mentor, train, collaborate with, and serve as a resource for students, interns, and work study students. Facilitate access to the collections, gardens, and arboretum for research, education, conservation, and recreation.
• Maintain accurate inventories of supplies, tools, work spaces, and materials. Ensure that tools and work spaces are safe, secure, organized and functional. Make service requests or schedule specialist services when needed.
• Communicate purchasing needs and budget requests to supervisor. Obtain estimates for products, services, and materials.
• Perform duties related to garden and conservatory collection maintenance, collection management, curation, and botanic garden operations as required for the Botanic Garden to thrive.
• Drive pick-up truck or utility cart when needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in horticulture, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3 to 5 years of experience working professionally in horticulture with an emphasis on perennial garden design, curation and maintenance.
• Minimum of one-year experience in horticultural work with alpine plants, or equivalent formal education.
• Valid driver’s license required. Must complete and comply with all College driving credentialing requirements. Upon award of this position, a Division of Motor Vehicles background check will be completed.
• Obtain a Massachusetts Core Applicator or Private Applicator License within 6 months of hire. Willingness to upgrade to at private certification if required (within one year of being notified by the college).
• Physical ability to lift 40 pounds and bend and stretch with reasonable nimbleness, team lift objects up to 80 pounds, move and plant (with assistance) heavy balled trees and shrubs.

SKILLS:

• Experience with and capacity to support inclusive programming designed for teaching and learning about plants, people, and place, including efforts to broaden a sense of belonging, and access to and participation in public horticulture and related educational opportunities.
• Extensive and broad knowledge of plant identification, cultivation and propagation.
• Knowledge of and experience with aesthetic presentation of annuals, perennials and woody plants appropriate for gardens in the local climate. A test will be given to confirm plant identification and horticultural skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design garden beds and implement installations.
• Ability to understand written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use horticultural chemicals, hand tools, general horticultural equipment, machinery, power tools (including a chainsaw) and materials safely and effectively.
• Ability to independently make sound and correct decisions on the care of garden plants and shrubs.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, maps, and plant labels using Botanic Garden software, computer equipment, and printing/engraving equipment.
• Ability to send and receive email in a timely manner.
• Willingness and ability to adapt to modern technology, methodologies, and updates in the scientific literature.
• Ability to work with others as a team to complete priority projects as they arise.
• Ability to supervise student workers, interns, and other labor.
• Ability to correctly identify regionally common perennial, tree, and shrub species, pests and pathogens, and correctly evaluate plant health and safety. A verbal test on campus will be given.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in accessing the internet, using the Smith College email and calendar systems, Workday (payroll & HR system) and applicable work order system(s).
• Experience using IrisBG preferred, or willingness and ability to learn and utilize the system otherwise.
• Capacity and willingness to participate in continuing education and on-the-job training.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposure to all types of outside weather conditions and diverse horticultural plant materials. Occasional work with pesticides and other horticultural chemicals.

Schedule:

Mon.-Fri., 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Applications will continue being reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions is filled.

CompensationThis position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a progressive wage schedule. The Step 1 hourly rate is $28.77. New hires are typically placed at Step 1.

Position Type

Regular

About Smith College Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail]. As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.