Employment
The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is a community-supported public garden inspiring curiosity, discovery, and appreciation of the natural landscape. It strives to be a leading botanical, educational, and recreational destination fostering the value and enjoyment of nature.
Seasonal Event Assistant
Summary
The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is a community supported public garden inspiring curiosity, discovery, and appreciation of the natural landscape. The Seasonal Event Assistant will work with other staff and volunteers on grounds to help with the set-up, tear down and implementation of successful public and private events at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens, in rural Madrid, Iowa. The Seasonal Event Assistant reports to the Venue Manager.
This role serves to help event staff with daily tasks supporting events open to the public, as well as private events including weddings, reunions, celebrations and other events. This role also will help engage guests visiting the Arboretum. This position is part-time and primarily works varied hours, as needed, on a Thursday through Sunday schedule for a total of approximately 10 hours weekly.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist with the set up and tear down of outdoor venues, including chairs and tables
- Assist with the set up and tear down of indoor venues, including chairs and tables
- Assist with the pre-event and post-event clean up of decorations and activity areas
- Assist during special events, as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Much of the work involves walking, standing, lifting, crouching, pushing, pulling, and carrying items.
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and work dexterously with hands and arms.
- The Seasonal Event Assistant will be exposed to all weather conditions.
Duration
Summer season June 1 – August 31; approximately 10 hours per week. Potential to work weekend days in spring/fall, if needed.
Compensation
Pay is hourly at a rate of $10-$12 per hour.
Application instructions
Please send letter of interest to Kim Anderson, Venue Manager: kim@iowaarboretum.org
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Landscape Horticulture Aide
Summary
The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is a community supported public garden inspiring curiosity, discovery, and appreciation of the natural landscape. The Landscape Horticulture Aide will work with other staff and volunteers on grounds to help with the management of the Iowa Arboretum and Garden’s vast plant collection and natural areas.
This role will perform all job duties associated with horticulture management and care of arboretum displays and gardens. Job duties are directly related to the stewardship and care of assigned garden spaces and collections including assisting with IPM, propagation, planting, weeding, mowing, and cataloguing. This role reports to the Curator of Collections and Grounds, will assist other senior horticulture staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintains general care of horticultural tools, and technical equipment (i.e., sharpening, tightening, lubricating, and general cleaning.) Refers more serious problems to management personnel.
- Maintains a professional demeanor, answering informal questions from the public as needed when working.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Behaves & communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
- Landscape management including weeding, pruning, mulching, raking, deadheading, watering, and other horticulture/grounds duties.
Competencies
- Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
- Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
- Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
- Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision-making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
- Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the arboretum’s values and support for a positive organizational climate.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 1 year of hands-on, relevant horticulture work experience required.
- Working knowledge of common garden plants, native plants, and general landscape management techniques.
- Proficient plant identification knowledge and ability to use resources to aid in identification and memorization.
- Proficient in operating and knowledge of safe operation procedures for various types of landscape maintenance equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding horticulture collection.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
- Able to pass a standard national background check.
Education
- Working on acquiring a B.S. degree in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, and/or related field required.
Computer Skills
- Proficiency with Google Products (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, Photos, etc.).
- Ability to utilize the internet for researching, able to discern fact-based sources of information.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Physical Demands
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. (i.e., load, unload and move gardening supplies, medium to heavy weight tools and equipment).
- Must be able to work in high heat and humidity, below freezing temperatures, and high wind.
- Requires standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching for extended periods of time– 90% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
- Ability to wear arboretum-issued Personal Protective Equipment.
- May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., climb ladders, etc.).
Supervisor
Curator of Collections and Grounds
Schedule
- This position is flexible schedule. Ideal candidate would be part time 10-20 hours during spring/fall semesters and full-time during the summer season. Some weekend days required.
Application Instructions
Please send cover letter and resume to David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds:
Preferred start date: May 18, 2025
Applications will continue to be accepted for the position until a suitable candidate is selected and accepts an offer of employment.
Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize major duties and responsibilities of employees and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Iowa Arboretum, Inc. they are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.
Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
The Iowa Arboretum, Inc. supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.