Arboretum Apprenticeship

Summary: This is a seasonal apprenticeship position that works directly with maintenance staff in the field to assist in the organization and implementation of seasonal color plantings, arboretum and garden plantings, care and maintenance of ornamental plants, assistance in labeling plant collections, and management of the Arboretum’s computerized irrigation system. This is a field position responsible for assisting with training and managing the seasonal internship positions. This position reports to the Director of the Arboretum and assists in the development of excellent plant care standards and the planning of yearly operational needs for plant collection maintenance.

Duties include the following:

• Complete independent judgment is required in the organization of work, establishment of priorities, and coordination of activities.
• Confers with Arboretum director for prioritization of projects, equipment, and additional labor needs.
• Works directly with Arboretum director and other staff in developing color designs for the annual flower displays. Planning and design of these areas is to be completed 6 months prior to growing and installation.
• Develop, oversee, and implement the fertilization and pesticide schedules and application methods.
• Provides training and technical guidance to Arboretum maintenance personnel in the proper procedures for various types of vegetation maintenance.
• Directs and implements proper horticulture practices used in planting and ongoing maintenance of the facility, experience in protection of woody and herbaceous plant material from deer is required.
• Assists in the management of computerized Toro Irrigation system and assists with repairs as necessary. Trains student interns on repair methods and scheduling of system.
• Assists in the organization and evaluation of purchasing needs for plant collections and assists Curator in record keeping of maintenance for all collections including ornamental and herbaceous plant material, trees, and shrubs. Excellent knowledge and understanding of Latin nomenclature for maintenance of plant collections is required.
• Teaching horticultural techniques and practices to volunteers, master gardeners, and horticulture instruction for monthly programs at Arboretum is occasionally required.
• Evening and weekend hours as required and assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of cultural requirements for growing diverse temperate plants in USDA zone 6 or equivalent.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods, materials, and tools used in horticultural growing procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of proper watering, spraying and fertilizing methods as applied to horticultural operations.
• Ability to recognize conditions of plant disease and infestation.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to work with and motivate the work of volunteers on site, in conjunction with the volunteer coordinator’s scheduling of workdays.
• Ability to operate hand and power tools used in daily maintenance activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks. Must be proficient in Microsoft Access databases.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Ability to work with entire Arboretum staff, and volunteers as a team member to achieve excellence in operations.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

• Current or recent graduate from a horticulture or arboricultural program at an accredited college or university with the goal of possessing a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree. At least two full years of industry experience is required.
• Considerable related technical experience in the culture of ornamental plants.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• ISA Arborist Certification training is encouraged to be sought during employment.

Required Special Qualifications:

• Candidates must have a valid Kentucky Driver’s License
• A Kentucky pesticide applicators license is required for this position; continued employment is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining this license.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with varying degrees of physical abilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reasonable near- and far-sightedness, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.