College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

How to Apply

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. A one-page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in this position and outline experience that directly relates to it.

Summary

The University of Michigan, MBGNA is looking for a full-time temporary (9 month, term limited) Woody Plants and Trails Technician. You will report to the Woody Plants and Trails Manager to help manage living plant collections and natural areas to support teaching, research, public outreach, and conservation goals of the U-M MBGNA. Employment is March - November, 2024. This position is onsite 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and evening work.

Who We Are

University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) stewards over 840 acres of land and water across four properties in and around Ann Arbor, with Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens serving as its two anchor locations. Click here to view our Strategic Plan. With more than 500,000 annual visitors, MBGNA is committed to becoming a transformative force for social and ecological resilience through the lands and waters we steward. We put that commitment into action by:

• Positioning humans as active participants within the natural world and compelling the university community and our publics to negotiate the full complexity that entails
• Advancing partnerships, programs, user experience, and all that we steward to catalyze equity and justice in a radically changing world
• Emerging as University of Michigan's premier partner for research, teaching, and public impact in sustainability, climate-forward practices, and biocultural diversity
• Promoting healthier communities, cultures, and ecosystems through active care and cultivation of the gardens, fields, natural habitats, and dynamic systems that sustain our world

Responsibilities*

• Woody plant installation and maintenance including pruning, mulching, watering and installing plant protection
• Trail inspection, installation, topdressing, repairing and installing erosion control features including water bars, grade dips, swales
• Building and installing steps, handrails, boardwalks and fencing
• Cutting, clearing and chipping invasive plant species, brush, fallen branches and trees
• Help with felling and removal of larger trees
• Conduct soil improvement practices to promote woody plant root growth
• Survey woody plant collections for condition and maintenance needs, mapping using GIS, installing/replacing plant labels
• Work with student staff on native plant ID and invasive plant ID and control methods
• Lead interns, students and volunteers in related work
• Apply herbicides
• Help with prescribed burns

Required Qualifications*

• Associate's degree or higher in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Some experience or ability to operate a variety of vehicles, including pickup truck, dump truck, tractors, and utility vehicles; power equipment including mowers, trimmers, brush cutters, chainsaws, and wood chipper; hand tools including drills, power saws, shovels, rakes, or hoes
• A State of Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License or willingness to obtain one within 90 days of starting (MBGNA provides study materials and covers certification expenses)
• A valid Driver's License and motor vehicle record (MVR) check
• Some experience with planting trees, shrubs and/or trail design and installation, landscaping.

Additional Information

• Compensation: $18.50 per hour
• Physical Demands:
  • Exposure to work in a variety of weather conditions, tolerate biting insects, poison ivy and other challenges of outdoor work
  • Occasionally move and safely transport items weighing up to 40lbs
• This temporary position may meet eligibility requirements for health care benefits. For more information, please see the eligibility section for temporary employees here
• For more information about Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, please visit mbgna.umich.edu

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for at least seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.