Native Plant Horticulture Specialist — Outdoor Displays

Missouri Botanical Garden; Gray Summit (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve is seeking a diligent horticulture technician to design, maintain and care for outdoor displays and collections. You will support planting, pruning, irrigation, seed collection and accurate labeling while recording field notes and accession records.

You will supervise volunteers, collaborate with staff, ensure safety standards, perform seasonal tasks, and help manage materials and tools. Strong communication and physical stamina are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1–3 years of hands-on, relevant horticulture work experience.
• Strong knowledge of native plant materials and landscape maintenance techniques; proficient in operating various landscaping tools and equipment.
• Must enjoy interacting and working in close proximity to the general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Ability to work outside, often in variable environments and weather conditions.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of landscape maintenance tasks: soil prep, planting, mulching, weeding, watering, fertilization, irrigation and herbicide application.
• May assist horticulture staff with landscape installation and maintenance as needed.
• Oversees day-to-day landscape upkeep and volunteer assignments; performs off-season tasks including invasive plant removal and storm cleanup.
• Responsible for watering duties in greenhouse and garden and for seed collection, cleaning and storage; maintains records.
• Maintains accurate records of plants in the permanent collection and ensures safety standards are followed; reports accidents and near-misses.
• Supervises volunteers who install and maintain outdoor displays and collect and clean seeds.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Accountability

Problem Solving

Safety awareness

Education

Associate's or B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, and/or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve is seeking a diligent horticulture technician to design, maintain and care for outdoor displays and collections. You will support planting, pruning, irrigation, seed collection and accurate labeling while recording field notes and accession records.

You will supervise volunteers, collaborate with staff, ensure safety standards, perform seasonal tasks, and help manage materials and tools. Strong communication and physical stamina are essential.