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Collections Horticulturist

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