Native Plant Horticulturist I: Seed Collecting & Garden Care

Missouri Botanical Garden; Gray Summit (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve seeks a horticulture technician to design, maintain, and care for outdoor displays and collections. You will support planning, installation, and ongoing maintenance of native landscapes and seed programs, while keeping meticulous accession records and plant labeling.

The role covers hands-on tasks including soil prep, planting, mulching, weeding, irrigation, and herbicide use, as well as installations, volunteer supervision, and seed collection.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of hands-on horticulture experience.
• Strong knowledge of native plants and landscape maintenance techniques.
• Comfort interacting with the public in a safe, friendly manner.
• Able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must have valid driver's license and pass background checks.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Maintains landscape tasks: soil prep, planting, mulching, weeding, irrigation, and herbicide application.
• Assists horticulture staff with landscape installation and maintenance.
• Supervises volunteers and manages seed collecting operations.
• Keeps meticulous records for accessioning and plant labeling.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's in Horticulture

Tools

Hand tools

String trimmers

Lawn mowers

Backpack sprayers

Blowers

Job description

Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve seeks a horticulture technician to design, maintain, and care for outdoor displays and collections. You will support planning, installation, and ongoing maintenance of native landscapes and seed programs, while keeping meticulous accession records and plant labeling.

The role covers hands-on tasks including soil prep, planting, mulching, weeding, irrigation, and herbicide use, as well as installations, volunteer supervision, and seed collection.