Gardener (HRC) - UMN Arboretum - Chanhassen, MN

Gardener (HRC)

9 month (March-November)
This gardener is responsible for helping support the overall care and maintenance of the landscape in the Arboretum Horticultural Research Center (HRC). Gardeners perform landscape maintenance and horticultural care tasks such as mowing, maintenance of infrastructure like fences and roads, irrigation systems, and field plot preparation.

This position will also assist with the repair, adjustment, and maintenance of farm and greenhouse machinery and equipment and ensure the safe operation and maintenance of equipment including riding mowers, skid steer loaders, edgers, chainsaws, litter lifts, snow plows and brushes, weed whips, backpack blowers, and other equipment used in grounds maintenance.

This position is also part of the Arboretum's snow management operations, requiring work outside of regularly scheduled hours including occasional early morning, evening, and weekend operations. Gardeners may instruct, direct, and train assistant gardeners, plot technicians, seasonal employees, student workers, interns, and volunteers in assigned tasks and the safe usage of tools and equipment, and assist in recruiting volunteers.

This position may provide support to other teams at the HRC depending on seasonal priorities, including but not limited to greenhouse work, landscape and arboricultural operations, natural lands management, special group projects, or other HRC research initiatives. This position is considered an essential employee responsible for maintaining essential operations, responding to weather events, and other landscape operations during weather related emergencies and other University closures.

This position is a full-time (9-month) Teamsters Unit 3 position, with a typical season lasting from March to November. Hours are generally 7am to 3:30pm, with evening and weekend shifts occasionally required during the spring and fall seasons. Bargaining unit consideration begins on 2/12/2026 and ends on 2/19/2026.

Essential Functions
Mowing (40%)

• Collaborate with research and production staff to mow, string trim, and clean up leaves on research and production fields.
• Mow fallow plots, natural areas (including the Tamarack Lake property), edges, fencelines, and ditches.
• Mow the HRC and Apple House yard.

Yard, Road, and Fence Care (40%)

• Care for annual and perennial garden beds adjacent to the HRC and Apple house facilities.
• Monitor and report issues on field roads, handle small patching and repair needs of field roads.
• Push up piles, assist in deliveries, and assist with chipping in the mulch piles.
• Clear overgrowth along fencelines using herbicides, thinning, and pruning.
• Ensure structural integrity of deer fences and handle small scale repairs.

Irrigation (5%)

• Assist in spring irrigation startup and fall irrigation shutdown.
• Regularly assist in inspecting and maintaining source to field plot irrigation systems, with sources including ponds, wells, and municipal connections.
• Assist in irrigation repairs and setup in research plots in coordination with research teams.

Field Maintenance (5%)

• Assist in field preparation for research and production through discing, plowing, spreading fertilizer, etc.
• Coordinate with researchers to assist with other field preparation requests as needed.

Other Work (10%)

• Assist in delivery pick up and receiving of equipment and supplies from the University of Minnesota campus and offsite dealers or vendors.
• Assist in the transportation of vehicles and equipment between the HRC and the Horticulture Operations Headquarters mechanic shop.
• Oversee volunteers to assist with all aspects of job scope.
• Assist with other Arboretum projects as assigned.
• Maintain and properly and safely use equipment
• Perform snow removal operations including hand shoveling and equipment operation
• Serve as an essential employee for weather related response and other University closures

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and three years of related experience and training in commercial gardening, grounds maintenance and/or greenhouse work which must include at least six months of related vocational technical training or equivalent education. At the discretion of the hiring authority, the six months of related vocational technical training may be waived for specific vacancies and comparable relevant work experience may be substituted.
• Must have and maintain a valid MN driver's license.
• Within one year of employment, must possess and maintain a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator's license.
• Within one year of employment, may be required to obtain ISA Certified Arborist credential.
• Required to work in all weather conditions in all seasons and may require evening and weekend work as need
• Must be able to perform manual labor including frequent lifting/carrying/transporting loads up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or four year degree in horticulture, arboriculture, or closely related field.
• At least three years experience maintaining irrigation systems.
• Experience working collaboratively and leading a team towards a common goal.
• Ability to operate equipment related to grounds management functions, including front-end loaders, tractors, and pickup truck mounted snow plows, leaf blowers, riding and push mowers, string trimmers, salt/sand spreaders, snow blowers, and dump trucks.

Pay Range: $28.67 / Hour

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Teamsters position: Bargaining unit consideration begins on 2/12/2026 and ends on 2/19/2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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