Glasshouse Assistant (Hourly)*

General Description

This position assists conservatory/greenhouse staff in the maintenance and care of the Bolz Conservatory, production greenhouses, rotating exhibits and events, and interiorscape plantings, and by providing weekend and holiday coverage at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.The Bolz Conservatory is approximately 10,000 square feet with a 25-foot rushing waterfall and is home to our tropical and orchid collections and free-flying canopy bird, ground bird, and koi populations. The Glasshouse Gardener provides wildlife husbandry skills in addition to horticulture practices involved with garden maintenance.

The selected candidate will work with Olbrich Conservatory volunteers and will collaborate with Olbrich Botanical Society staff to manage and care for interiorscape plantings throughout the public-facing visitor center complex. Other responsibilities include integrated pest management (IPM) of the conservatory, greenhouse, and interiorscape. On a rotating basis, this position will be responsible for the care of an 11,000 square foot production greenhouse consisting of 4,800 square feet for floriculture crop production, 600 square feet for cool orchids, 1,850 square feet for intermediate orchids, and 2,450 square feet for tropical plant collections.

This position is funded for an average of 21 hours per week. The weekly schedule is generally Friday through Monday between the hours of 7:30 am and 1:30 pm, but the schedule may vary due to seasonal work demands (for example: Spring production season, Olbrich’s Blooming Butterflies event, and Orchid Escape). This position will participate in a rotating schedule with other staff, to provide the ability to have one weekend off each month.

The City of Madison is an equal opportunity employer functioning under an affirmative action plan. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.  Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply! 

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Greenhouse Watering and Maintenance

• Water, fertilize, and groom plants in assigned greenhouse spaces.
• Observe that mechanical systems are functioning as scheduled through the environmental control system.
• Provide repotting/propagation support to horticulturists.
• Maintain sanitary conditions to prohibit spread of pests and disease (i.e. wash/sanitize nursery pots/trays, keep floor/bench space clear of debris and algae growth, etc.).
• Organize seed and nursery supplies. Alert staff to low inventories of supplies.
• Scout/remove pests and/or notify assigned horticulturists.

Bolz Conservatory Maintenance

• Hand water conservatory beds according to water/fertilization bed schedule.
• Perform general cleanup of debris in beds and plant grooming.
• Implement best horticulture practices, including, but not limited to, pruning, transplanting, staking, dividing, and propagating, at the discretion/supervision of the Conservatory Curator.
• Observe that mechanical systems in the conservatory are functioning as scheduled through the environmental control system.
• Provide wildlife husbandry to wildlife populations in conservatory. Work in conjunction with animal care volunteers.
• Scout/remove pests and/or notify assigned horticulturists.
• Assist with regularly scheduled team maintenance projects in the conservatory (i.e. annual pruning, water feature cleaning, pathway power washing, and window cleaning).
• Provide assistance and leadership to conservatory volunteers as needed.

Interiorscape Plant Care

• Hand water containers/planters throughout visitor center complex with the use of an Aqua-Mate portable watering device.
• Scout/remove pests and/or notify assigned horticulturists.
• Refresh planters/containers with new material or rotate plant material with stock from the tropical house.
• Repot and fertilize when necessary.
• Move planters/containers as needed for exhibits, rentals, and programs.
• Manage interiorscape volunteers.

Special Programs/Exhibits

• Assist with the planning/design, install, maintenance, and tear downs of special exhibits in the conservatory.

Other Duties                 

• Check/send email.
• Provide weekend/holiday watering updates to staff.
• Reference plant records for accession information.
• Assist in newsletter article development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience performing plant care and maintenance within a horticultural or botanical facility.

-OR-

• One (1) year of experience working with the following:
  • Orchid crops and tropical plants; AND
  • Injured and/or sick animals, including applying veterinary recommended treatments; AND
  • Tools and equipment used in the greenhouse/landscape industry.

-OR-

• Bachelor's (or higher level) degree in Horticulture, Botany, or other related plant science.

Special Requirements

Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position.

Possession of a Wisconsin State Pesticide Certification license within 90 days of the start date. Failure to obtain and maintain this certification will result in termination of employment, absent extenuating circumstances.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Ability to perform heavy manual and semi-skilled tasks relating to the propagation of plants and the operation of greenhouses and a conservatory for an extended period of time.

Ability to work in hot, humid conditions.

Ability to work at heights.
 

*Payroll title for this position is Conservatory Curator Assistant 1 (Hourly)