Gardener and Assistant Curator

smithcollege; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College's Botanic Garden seeks a Landscape Gardener to maintain diverse garden spaces and support research, education, and recreation. You will collaborate with staff to manage plant health, records, and landscape aesthetics, including design and installation of new plantings.

The role involves mentoring interns, coordinating with colleagues, and applying integrated pest management while complying with state and federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3–5 years of professional horticulture experience with emphasis on perennial garden design, curation and maintenance.
• Minimum one year experience with alpine plants; valid driver’s license; driving credentialing requirements to be completed.

Responsibilities

• Independently maintain multiple garden areas to high horticultural standards.
• Apply horticultural knowledge for plant selection, propagation, soil management, watering, fertilization, and pest control.
• Ensure garden infrastructure and hardscaping are in good repair and report deficiencies.
• Design, plan, renovate, and install new plantings guided by policies and strategic goals.
• Maintain accurate plant records in databases and inventory plant tags; support living collections.
• Coordinate activities with Botanic Garden staff to ensure timely completion of work and efficient resource use.
• Assist other staff with projects and contribute to pest management strategies while complying with regulations.
• Provide mentorship and support to interns, work-study students, and researchers using the collections.

Skills

Horticulture

Garden design

Plant maintenance

Pest/disease management

Mentoring interns

Education

Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field

Equivalent professional experience

Job description

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

Department

Botanic Garden

Job 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 b