Red Butte Garden is seeking a Horticulturist II, for our Greenhouse team, IPM lead

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden is seeking a Horticulturist II to lead the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program within the Garden’s greenhouse production facilities, seasonal container displays, and indoor plant displays. Assists in the implementation of all Greenhouse team responsibilities, including ensuring plants are properly irrigated, ensuring the operation, maintenance, and repair of greenhouse facilities and equipment, implementation and care of the outdoor container and indoor display programs, implementation of plant production program, and that job responsibilities avoid impact to Garden events. 

Assists with providing leadership and training for part-time staff and volunteers in accomplishing department goals/duties. This position requires the performance of chemical applications as required/assigned and requires a non-commercial pesticide applicators license.

Work Schedule

The position requires attendance in order to perform job duties. Will typically work a routine 5-day/week schedule, typically Sunday through Thursday, however actual days and times may vary to ensure satisfactory implementation of job responsibilities, and to provide necessary care while avoiding impact to scheduled events and peak greenhouse activities. Also includes occasional summertime evening shifts. Must be able to respond 24/7 when Greenhouse systems send an alarm/warning or ensure the appropriate response.

Responsibilities

• Leads in programming and implementing the Integrated Pest Management Program; duties include and are not limited to: scouting, monitoring, sanitation, identifying and diagnosing plant health concerns, researching and confirming appropriate controls for indoor spaces and greenhouse production, applying appropriate controls, and tracking, evaluating, and documenting the effectiveness of control measures. Pests include plant-feeding insects, diseases, weeds, and structural pests. IPM tools include sanitation, disinfecting, a variety of beneficial controls, bio-rational (derived from mature), soft (environmentally low impact) products, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. as required; the former is strongly encouraged.
• Maintains a current chemical inventory and SDS sheets.
• Leads in facilities maintenance and repair projects as needed or assigned. Troubleshoots facilities issues, determines and recommends repairs. Assists Greenhouse Manager with yearly maintenance tasks, including but not limited to peak vent, wet wall, and ventilation maintenance.
• Daily assists with oversite and irrigation of all plant materials, including in the greenhouses, holding area, outdoor containers, and interior displays.
• Assists in providing leadership and training for seasonal staff and volunteers in the performance of department responsibilities.
• Assists with implementing the Plant Production Program, including propagation through various methods, transplanting, PGR applications, and maintaining optimum conditions for production.
• Assists with plantings for outdoor containers and interior seasonal displays for multiple seasons per year, hanging baskets for the spring plant sale fundraiser, floral displays for the annual volunteer appreciation event, and other projects as assigned.
• Assists with receiving and inspecting plant material deliveries, alerting the Greenhouse Manager to potential concerns, and the Seasonal Trial Plant Program.
• Serves as a professional member of the horticulture safety sub-committee, and other committees as required. Assists in training staff on safety regarding but not limited to pesticide and workplace safety.
• Teaches programs in the area of expertise, and assists in responding to public inquiries, providing content for garden publications, website, TV, and radio spots.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Greenhouse or Nursery Management, Horticulture, Floriculture, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), and two years of experience in horticulture. Strong knowledge and understanding of plant culture and best practices for ornamental and/or native plant care.

Preferences include

• 2 or more years of experience in pest management in a production greenhouse or similar environment;
• Specific knowledge of best care practices for a wide variety of plant taxa, knowledge of botanical names, characteristics of a wide range or ornamental plants and their light, cultural, water, and fertilization requirements;
• Demonstrated proficiency in identifying plant pests, including weeds, insects, and diseases, and determining and implementing appropriate treatment methods (IPM) including using beneficials, common insecticides and fungicides, application techniques, and pesticide safety practices;
• Specific knowledge of integrated pest management programming, including sanitation techniques, chemical and biological control products and rotation schedules;
• At least 2-years’ experience in leading others;
• A valid driver’s license and proof of insurability;
• A Utah Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, or ability to obtain the same within 6 months of hire;
• Working knowledge of EPA and State regulations and laws regarding pesticide use and safety, and plant material shipping quarantine requirements;
• Commitment to provide excellent customer service and maintain a consistent professional demeanor/presence;
• Able to safely and proficiently operate and troubleshoot equipment common to the trade, including greenhouse controllers, heaters, cooling units, fertilizer units, misters, germination chambers, pesticide application equipment, greenhouse tools, etc.;
• 1 year of experience in greenhouse plant production, with a strong knowledge of greenhouse operation and protocols, propagation methods, sanitation techniques, plant fertility, and chemistry;
• Able to safely and effectively perform all physical tasks essential to the position;
• Demonstrated organizational and managerial skills;
• Demonstrated proficiency with computers, including, Microsoft office, data tracking software, and spreadsheet applications;
• Experience working in a public garden;
• Advanced degree in Horticulture.

For more information, and to apply online see https://employment.utah.edu/jobs/

And reference Job# PRN39373B