Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) is a professional services organization supporting non-profits founded by Alice Walton, including the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, Art Bridges Foundation, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, and Heartland Whole Health Institute.
Job Description:Position Title: Horticulturist
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: NON-EXEMPT
Division: Property Management
Department: Trails and Grounds
Reports to: Grounds Operations Management
Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) supports operating non-profits founded by Alice Walton including the Alice
L. Walton Foundation, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, Art Bridges, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, and Heartland Whole Health Institute. The role of horticulturist plays a critical role in our organization to ensure our landscape meets best in class horticultural standards across our campus.
About the Position:The Horticulturist position for Art and Wellness is responsible for performing horticultural activities in turf, hardscape, and landscape areas across our campus. The Horticulturist must be proficient in all responsibilities which fall under the landscape grounds technician role, as well as the expanded responsibilities that are listed below in bold. In addition to the principal responsibilities the horticultural role requires proficiency in at least one of the horticultural competencies listed under technical skills
What you will do:Key Roles & Responsibilities
- Lawn, Tree, and Shrub Maintenance - perform assigned lawn, tree, and shrub maintenance
- Annual and Perennial Ornamental Garden Maintenance - maintain assigned garden areas including seasonal flower displays and perennials
- Paved Area Maintenance - perform routine cleaning, basic repair, and snow and ice removal of the parking lots, walkways, and other paved areas
- Leaf Removal - perform removal of leaves from lawns, shrub, and planting beds
- Equipment and Ornamental Mechanical Fixture Maintenance - maintain and repair tools and equipment as needed for proper function, as well as garden restrooms, drinking foundations, and garden furniture and fixtures
- Security/Public Relations - greet visitors, maintain the security and integrity of the grounds and museum, and serve as a source of information for visitors.
- Irrigation Maintenance -monitor and maintain irrigation systems, trouble shoot problems or evaluate performance, perform field diagnostics and repairs throughout all aspects of the system
- Landscaping builds - which includes dirt work, rock work, and other hardscape installation. It also includes installing all manner of plants, mulch, drainage, and low voltage lighting
- Developing and installing basic landscape designs based on understanding of plant types, environmental factors, and maintenance practices.
- Basic plant identification and implementing maintenance and cultural practices to maintain or improve plant health.
- Utilize Microsoft excel or other database software to organize data for asset organization and management programs.
- Perform quality control checks and audits of landscape contractor work and communicate findings to leaders and contractors in verbal and written forms.
- Represent trails and grounds department in site walks and project meetings with Crystal Bridges employees and volunteers working on projects and programs that overlap with assigned trails and grounds work.
- Prepare designs and quantity estimates for maintenance and project work that fall under assigned areas and programs.
- Identify, develop, communicate, and perform long term (6 month- 1 year) maintenance strategies in assigned areas of the grounds to improve safety, environmental, and aesthetics of assigned areas.
- Prepare and deliver written and verbal presentations to Trails and Grounds staff and leaders highlighting horticultural programs and initiatives.
Technical skillsThe Horticulturist employee must have formal education, licensed, certification, or demonstrated skillset in at least one of the horticultural competencies listed below. The minimum requirement is that a horticulturist must be able administer one of the following strategies or initiatives with very little daily oversight.
- Comprehensive understanding of plant species, plant types, plant identification, and plants use in landscape and natural environments. And a strong understanding of the various cultural and maintenance practices that can be incorporated into a landscape setting or garden that will provide healthy and vibrant plants.
- Arboriculture and/ or forestry. Ability to perform various types of pruning and felling work with trees or various sizes and species. Understanding of diseases, pests, and associated hazards and concerns dealing with tree health and safety.
- A strong understanding of integrated pest management principles and practices. And ability to develop and administer a proactive IPM program in a landscape, garden, and natural settings.
- Proficient in design, installation, and maintenance of large-scale commercial irrigation systems including central control systems. An understanding of water management approaches for establishing and maintaining healthy landscapes and utilizing water resources efficiently.
Qualifications required for your success:- Well-rounded understanding of horticulture and related sciences.
- A strong working knowledge and aptitude of plant identification process
- Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of business
- General skillset with using computers and mobile tablets or similar devices to manage digital information.
- Comfortable working outside in all different types of weather conditions and natural environments with rugged terrain.
- Excellent people and customer service skills that are based on courtesy, respect, and approachability.
- Strong organizational skills
- Trouble shooting/ analyzing systems - Problem Solving Skills
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, etc., basic computer skills
- Effectively use a variety of hand and power tools
- Ability to work independently and with initiative
- Ability to effectively contribute to a project team dynamic
- Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
- Must be physically and mentally fit to respond to emergency situations
Personal attributes that support your success
- You are a team player and express servant-leadership when collaborating with others.
- You are results oriented and exercise sound judgment in your work.
- A lifelong learner, who is inquisitive and solves problems with bold thinking and innovation.
- A visionary who plans with imagination and wisdom.
- Committed to building and modeling equitable systems, beginning with diversity, access, and inclusion.
- Cultivate strong relationships through building trust and acting with integrity with colleagues and leaders.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, innovative environment where change is constant.
- Goal-setting individual with measured focus on operational excellence and results.
Physical demands and work environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands: In the work environment described, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 50 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, construction site, classrooms, libraries, trails, and nature, and in communities served. Work environment may include exposure to potentially hazardous chemical solutions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Incumbent must meet a flexible work schedule that may include evenings, and weekends and available on-call for emergencies.
