Assistant Gardener

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one year of related training or experience in horticultural care of fruit trees or woody plant collections, or greenhouse operations.
• Must have and maintain a valid MN driver’s license.
• May be required to possess and maintain a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator’s license.
• 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

• Associate or bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field.
• Experience working in a fruit orchard
• 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.

Temporary 8-month Teamster position.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on 4/10/26 and ends on 4/17/26

Overview
This assistant gardener position is responsible for assisting gardeners, senior gardeners, and horticulturists in the holistic care of the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center. Assistant gardeners perform landscape maintenance and horticultural care tasks such as pruning, weeding, watering, mulching, and mowing operations; invasive plant and weed management including mechanical, chemical, and other control methods; plant health care including pest and disease scouting, monitoring, and treatments; research plot renovation including assisting with bed preparation, planting, and establishment of new plant material; and the safe operation and maintenance of equipment. This position also assists in fruit harvest, grading, sorting, packing, and transit. This position is part of the Arboretum’s snow management operations, requiring work outside of regularly scheduled hours including occasional early morning, evening, and weekend operations.

Assistant gardeners may instruct, direct, and oversee work of student workers, interns, and volunteers in assigned tasks and the safe usage of tools and equipment. This position may also provide support to other teams outside of the Fruit Production and Greenhouse teams depending on departmental priorities, including but not limited to seasonal displays, landscape and
arboricultural operations, natural lands management, and special group projects. In addition, this position may assist with education and outreach activities, special events (e.g. Apple field trips, Maplefest, etc.), and other institutional programs.

This position is considered a back-up essential employee responsible for maintaining essential operations, responding to weather events, and other landscape operations during weather related
emergencies and other University closures.

This is a temporary, 8-month position starting April 13 2026 and ending November 30 2026.

Essential Functions
Horticultural Care 85%

• Weed, mulch, and chip brush in assigned areas
• Mow, string trim, and clean up leaves in assigned areas
• Maintain and properly and safely use equipment
• Manage, train, and grow young fruit trees in nursery, research plots, and orchards.
• Scout for pests and apply herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, fertilizer, and other materials as needed to maintain optimum growing conditions in production and research plots. Fruit

Harvest and Grading 10%

• Determine maturity and pick apples for sale in the Applehouse
• Grade apples and pack in bags for sale
• Clean, set-up, organize and stock apple displays
• Train and monitor temporary, student and volunteer workers in the Applehouse and orchards
• Provide friendly and helpful customer service

Other Duties 5%

• Maintain equipment, clean and organize greenhouses and facilities, clear snow, take supply inventory, etc.

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.

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.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).