Gardener – Casual

National Tropical Botanical Garden; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gardener at National Tropical Botanical Garden's Kampong campus seeks a dependable team player who will perform hands-on horticultural and grounds maintenance to support plant collections, appearance, health, and visitor experience.

You will operate garden tools, apply fertilizers and IPM practices, monitor plant health, and assist with events and garden operations. A high school diploma or GED and a willingness to work Saturdays are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; or one year of related horticultural, landscaping, grounds maintenance, or similar experience and/or training.
• Previous experience working with plants, gardens, landscaping, or botanical collections is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine lawn and grounds maintenance, including mowing, weed-eating, edging, and other maintenance activities as directed.
• Prepare public-access areas for visitors prior to opening by removing debris, blowing pathways and gathering areas, and ensuring the garden is clean and presentable.
• Support general plant collection maintenance, including watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, staking, mulching, planting, and removal of plants as directed.
• Monitor plant health and condition, identify potential concerns, and communicate observations to the Horticulture Manager.
• Apply organic and chemical fertilizers and other approved horticultural products when required and in accordance with safety requirements.
• Safely operate and maintain garden power tools and equipment (lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, blowers).
• Assist the Visitor Services Team with mission-related events and activities as assigned.
• Assist with garden closing procedures, including securing designated areas and moving trash and recycling to appropriate locations.
• Provide courteous and professional assistance to visitors and support a positive visitor experience.

Skills

Horticulture

Plant care

IPM

Safety consciousness

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Lawn mowers

Weed trimmers

Chainsaws

Hedge trimmers

Blowers

Job description

The Gardener will have a strong interest in plants and a desire to care for and maintain plant collections in a botanical garden setting. This position performs hands-on horticultural and grounds maintenance work to support the care, appearance, health, and overall presentation of The Kampong. The Gardener should be dependable, safety-conscious, detail-oriented, and able to work effectively as part of a team.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Perform routine lawn and grounds maintenance, including mowing, weed-eating, edging, and other maintenance activities as directed.
• Prepare public-access areas for visitors prior to opening by removing debris, blowing pathways and gathering areas, and ensuring the garden is clean and presentable.
• Support general plant collection maintenance, including watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, staking, mulching, planting, and removal of plants as directed.
• Develop and maintain a basic understanding of the plants, collections, landscape, and history of The Kampong.
• Monitor plant health and condition, identify potential concerns, and communicate observations and recommendations to the Horticulture Manager.
• Monitor and manage trash and recycling on designated collection days, including Mondays and Thursdays.
• Apply organic and chemical fertilizers in accordance with established procedures, product labels, and safety requirements.
• Practice proper planting techniques and monitor newly planted material to promote the highest possible survival rate.
• Maintain plant collections and landscaped areas using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices whenever feasible.
• Apply herbicides, pesticides, and other approved pest-management products when necessary and in accordance with applicable regulations, product labels, training requirements, and NTBG procedures.
• Control weeds in landscaped and designated areas using appropriate physical, mechanical, and chemical methods.
• Safely operate and maintain a variety of garden power tools and equipment, which may include lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, blowers, and other horticultural equipment.
• Maintain garden tools, equipment, and vehicles responsibly and safely; keep all tools, equipment, and vehicles clean and in good working order.
• Keep assigned garden areas neat, well-maintained, and free of debris.
• Assist the Visitor Services Team with mission-related events and activities as assigned.
• Assist with garden closing procedures, including securing designated areas and moving trash and recycling to appropriate locations.
• Provide courteous and professional assistance to visitors when appropriate and support a positive visitor experience.
• Perform all duties in accordance with NTBG safety policies, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), equipment manuals, product labels, and established procedures.
• Select, use, inspect, and properly maintain required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by garden management.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate; or one year of related horticultural, landscaping, grounds maintenance, or similar experience and/or training. Previous experience working with plants, gardens, landscaping, or botanical collections is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Gardener will have a demonstrated interest in horticulture, plants, gardens, and plant collections, along with a basic knowledge of horticultural practices, including planting, watering, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, and general plant care. The Gardener must be able to observe plant conditions, recognize potential concerns, and communicate observations to the Horticulture Manager. The ability and willingness to learn and follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices is required, as is the ability and willingness to safely handle and apply fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and other approved horticultural products when required and after appropriate training.

The Gardener must be able to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power tools, vehicles, and horticultural equipment. The ability to read and understand product labels, safety information, operating and maintenance instructions, and workplace procedures is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are important, along with the ability to work effectively and cooperatively with employees, managers, volunteers, visitors, students, and other members of the public. The Gardener must be able to work independently, prioritize assigned tasks, follow directions, and demonstrate sound judgment in completing assigned responsibilities.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The Gardener must be able and willing to work outdoors for extended periods in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, rain, and high humidity. The position requires the ability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 50 pounds and frequently bend, kneel, crouch, reach, stretch, and work on the ground or above shoulder level. The position involves physically demanding horticultural and grounds-maintenance activities that may be performed for extended periods. The Gardener must also be able to safely operate applicable tools, equipment, and vehicles following appropriate training.

Work Schedule and Additional Requirements

The Gardener must be available to work Saturdays and occasional holidays as needed and must be willing and able to work flexible shifts and hours based on garden operations and visitor needs. The Gardener requires a willingness to support the Visitor Services Team and participate in mission-related events and activities when assigned. The Gardener must follow all NTBG policies, procedures, and safety requirements and maintain a professional, respectful, and collaborative approach when working with visitors, volunteers, and coworkers.

Pay range: $19.75-$21 per hour

This position is open until filled.

NTBG is an equal opportunity, equal access employer. A copy of NTBG’s Drug Free Workplace Policy can be found here .