Houston Botanic Garden seeks Irrigation Specialist

Position Description

The mission of the Houston Botanic Garden is to enrich life through discovery, education, and conservation of plants and the natural environment. Opened in September 2020, the Garden strives to inspire all people to love plants and be good stewards of the natural world.

The Houston Botanic Garden is seeking an Irrigation Specialist who will be primarily responsible for maintaining the irrigation system. This role will also help maintain and repair horticulture equipment, as well as support the horticulture team in general horticulture tasks. Reporting to the Horticulture Manager, the Irrigation Specialist will also coordinate with the Senior Horticulturist for daily operations, and will work both independently and with a group of horticulturists. The ideal candidate is a confident, hands-on, resourceful person with a strong background in irrigation and plumbing. Additionally, the ideal candidates will also be skilled in maintenance of horticulture equipment and machinery, as well as in gardening. This multi-faceted position will also involve assisting with preparation for volunteer horticulture workdays to support general garden maintenance tasks.

Salary: $22-$26/hr, depending on experience.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings match, short-term disability, long-
term disability, and life insurance available.

Main Job Responsibilities:

• Renovation of irrigation areas as needed.
• Responsible for making irrigation repairs and leading irrigation maintenance.
• Support horticulture equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Perform regular building maintenance tasks (simple wood and/or steel structures).
• Operate equipment and tools to accomplish work efficiently and safely.
• Maintain horticulture tools and equipment.
• Participate in hands-on work in cultivated gardens and stewardship of natural
  ecosystems, including weeding, watering, planting, and mulching.
• Assist in garden volunteer and education programs.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Texas certified Landscape Irrigator.
• Proven work history that exemplifies competency in irrigation systems.
• Ability and willingness to perform hands-on work in all types of weather typical in
  Houston.
• Position subject to passing a criminal background check.

Ideal Candidates will also possess:

• Previous experience maintaining and repairing horticultural equipment (blowers, string
  trimmers, chainsaws, carts, etc.), highly desired.
• Experience and confidence in operating horticulture equipment and machines.
• Previous professional experience in a large horticultural setting (park, botanic garden,
  or university campus).
• Proficiency working with Baseline irrigation controllers.
• Confidence and self-reliance to get the job done.
• Ability to be flexible and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrated passion for plants and nature.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others.

Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter, along with the contact
information for three professional references, to hr@hbg.org. We will contact those
candidates who most closely match our requirements.