Collections Horticulturist
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How to Apply
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Please also include relevant training, photos or a portfolio of relevant work. Submit everything as one file, due to system limitations.
Job Summary
University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) stewards over 840 acres of land and water across four properties in and around Ann Arbor, with Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens serving as its two anchor locations. With more than 500,000 annual visitors, MBGNA is committed to becoming a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the lands and waters we steward. Visit our websiteHERE (https://mbgna.umich.edu/) .
The Collections Horticulturist is a member of the Horticulture Team reporting to the Horticulture Lead and has collaborative relationships with MBGNA's Curators, Natural Areas, Education, and Visitor Experience teams. This position is an 80% (32 hours/week) permanent position with responsibilities at both Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Weekly work schedule may vary to fit organizational and individual schedules and will be determined in coordination with the Horticulture Lead and in accordance with University guidelines. The schedule will include occasional evenings and weekends and occasional travel.
What You'll Do
The Collections Horticulturist promotes the art and science of horticulture in designed and intentional landscapes, understands cultural requirements for growing plants, is knowledgeable in garden design and composition, and engages with University and community partners in support of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) mission. Responsibilities include the hands-on active care and maintenance of the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, including the surrounding landscapes, supports collections management and enhancement throughout MBGNA, assists colleagues with garden maintenance and horticulture team projects, and leads a diverse crew of volunteers and student staff to accomplish annual goals.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions (match begins after one year)
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Responsibilities*
Operations and Coordination (60%):
Prepare and present the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden and surrounding gardens for annual peony bloom
Maintain and enhance perimeter and entry gardens throughout MBGNA's landscapes including but not limited to the Reader Center gardens and the Geddes Entrance
Update and implement garden management plans in support of MBGNA's collections management plan and in coordination with the Curator, Horticulture Lead, and Collections Committee
Support plant production for plant sales, garden displays, collection enhancement, research purposes, and university courses and programs
Participate in other horticultural operations as needed including general garden maintenance, seasonal tasks, exhibitions, and projects
Assist with long-range planning for display gardens, including garden design, plant selection, and participating in garden bed renovations
Implement proper and appropriate horticultural practices to grow healthy plants and quality garden displays
Understand Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and recognize, diagnose, and properly treat pest problems as needed
Participate in weekend watering schedules
Leadership and Management (20%):
Supervise student staff including interns
Establish and lead recurring and episodic volunteer(s)
Identify, plan, and implement special projects aligned with MBGNA's strategic plan in coordination with the Curator and Horticulture lead and support by the Collections Committee
Organizational Collaboration (20%):
Coordinate with Curator and Horticulture Lead to ensure plans align with Collections Committee processes
Provide content, programs, and outreach activities with Education and Communication teams
Partner with Facilities team to ensure infrastructure improvement and maintenance
Meet with Education and Visitor Experience teams to ensure audiences and uses are foregrounded in care and design paradigm
Support GIS & Plant Records Specialist with data management including keeping accurate and current plant records, fixing/replacing labels and signs, ensuring content and mapping accuracy, and similar responsibilities
Other tasks or responsibilities as assigned
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Botany, Biology, or related field; equivalent combination of two plus years experience and completion of training and/or certificate in professional horticulture programs; or four plus years of professional experience in horticulture, landscape management, or nursery/greenhouse production
Experience managing volunteers and engaging with the public
Possess a Michigan Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license or complete certification within six-months of start date
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .
Additional Information
The salary range for this position is $38,000 - $40,000.
For more information about Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, please visit mbgna.umich.edu .
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for at least seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
272156
Working Title
Collections Horticulturist
Job Title
Collections/Natural Areas Spec
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Part-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Organizational Group
Vp Sustain Climate
Department
Botanical Gardens & Arboretum
Posting Begin/End Date
12/28/2025 - 1/18/2026
Salary
$38,000.00 - $40,000.00
Career Interest
Libraries & Museums
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