Position Purpose:

The Horticulture Technician – Landscape Design is responsible for the development, protection, and enhancement of the native plants at Bonnet Springs Park. They combine artistic and technical expertise to create aesthetically pleasing and functional plant beds and outdoor spaces. Candidate should be knowledgeable about threats to native habitats including plant pests, pathogens and diseases.

Essential Responsibilities:

Manages the plant communities within the BSP Grounds, Gardens, Greenhouse and Butterfly House including: planting, watering, weeding and trimming as needed.
Suggests designs and has the ability to create detailed plans and drawings for landscaping projects/plant beds.
Considers factors such as climate, soil conditions and hardscape elements in designs.
Confers with management to report conditions, plan planting and harvesting schedules and to discuss changes in fertilizer, herbicides or cultivating techniques.
Ensures weed control in all of the plant beds and exhibits
Helps to determine maintenance needs and partners with the Maintenance Team to ensure completion of repairs.
Completes duties such as, cultivation, harvesting, maintenance or altering Greenhouse environmental conditions.
Assists with planting seasonal or annual plant bed rotations, designs, and exhibits
Assists with maintaining the population of butterflies in the exhibit through natural process and plant cultivation
Works with volunteers, developing long-term productive relationships
Ensures the cleanliness and “show-ready” look of the greenhouse
Continually looks for ways to improve overall efficiency of operations and adjust needs based on attendance levels, operating needs and other variables.
Serve as a project leader for department initiatives related to improving guest or staff satisfaction, leadership development and compliance.
Maintain positive communications with all park visitors.

Essential Functions:

Conducts all business in a moral and ethical manner leaving no room to question the integrity of the park or its staff
Completes daily activities as assigned by the Horticulture Manager.
Maintains a working knowledge of general and departmental safety procedures. Attends safety training programs and works to earn specific certifications as needed.
Assists with implementation and monitoring programs that assure a safe facility and work environment that is in compliance with all appropriate regulations--Ergonomics, Emergency Responses, Injury and Illness Prevention, and Hazard Communications Programs.
Performs additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Education:

Education/certifications in horticulture, botany, natural sciences, or a related field is preferred.

Experience

Three to five years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Botanical, nature center and/or native landscaping is preferred.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of Florida native plants and plant maintenance highly desirable
Knowledge of transplanting techniques and native plant production is desirable.
Possess planning and organization skills with attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize, and follow-through
Must be willing and able to work varied and long shifts including holidays, weekends, and events
Outstanding personal communication skills, ability to interact and communicate effectively and collaborate with their team, co-workers, community partners, donors, and agency contractors

Requirements:

Pass a background check and mandatory drug test
Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable through the park’s insurance carrier
Ability to walk around in a 168-acre park
Must have good people skills and be comfortable dealing with the public

Work Environment:

The work environment for this position is primarily outdoor in heat, though cold weather work may be necessary. Indoor office work is minimal but expected. The candidate must be able to adapt to either condition very quickly as transitioning from indoor to outdoor could occur multiple times per day.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job include but are not limited to regularly required to sit, stand, walk, see, hear, talk, drive and meet with others. Must be able to bend, stretch, kneel and twist. Employee must possess conversational hearing, with or without aid, as well as adequate vision and ability to verbally communicate effectively. Additionally, employee must possess dexterity to operate standard office equipment, drive a golf cart and ability to occasionally lift 40 pounds or more. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bonnet Springs Park

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Horticulture Technician – Landscape Design