College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

JOB PURPOSE: To maintain the apple orchard, and various fruit trees, and landscapes on the grounds of Applewood: The Charles Stewart Mott Estate using good environmental stewardship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Cares for and maintains fruit trees and orchard of 29 varieties of apple trees. These include the following trees and bushes: pear, plum, peach, apricot, and blueberries.
2. Performs winter and summer pruning and thinning of fruit trees and clean up using ladders, pruners, saws, and hands.
3. Conducts research, design, grafting, planting, irrigation, weed control, fertilization, and tree training to maintain the historic integrity of the orchard.
4. Undertakes the harvesting, cold storage, and distribution of fruit to the Flint community and “Taste of Applewood.”
5. Practices Integrated Pest Management: scouting and monitoring traps for pests; monitoring weather and degree-day data for forecast models relating to insect pests and plant diseases.
6. Applies chemical applications to the fruit trees utilizing and maintaining a large tractor and orchard sprayer.
7. Maintains rose collection, crab apple tree collection, and bowling green turf.
8. Performs various operational duties such as equipment maintenance, painting, recycling, snow plowing, and supply inventory and ordering.
9. Directs and teaches Landscape Assistant, contracted partners, and volunteer staff on proper completion of orchard tasks and practices.
10. Perform all levels of landscape and ground maintenance tasks as directed.
11. Collaborate with Foundation colleagues by: (a) assisting with creative development, support, and evaluation of Applewood’s programs; (b) sharing expertise through creation and presentation of public workshops in horticulture and other related topics of interest; (c) participating in event set-up and tear-down; (d) providing horticulture technical assistance to grant staff, grantees, volunteers, organizations, and groups; (e) leading guided grounds tours of Applewood and supporting other public program functions. 
12. Participates in the development and implementation of Applewood’s Master Plan, Program Plan, Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and other Foundation initiatives, as requested.
13. Engages in continuing education to stay informed of advances in horticulture, community engagement, and computer-aided drafting software.
14. Completes other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in horticulture or apple orchard related field, bachelor’s degree preferred, 
• Minimum of three years of experience working in apple orchards and with other fruit trees.
• Michigan Commercial Certified Pesticide Applicator’s License with commercial core, 1C fruit, 3A turfgrass, and 3B ornamental plant categories or must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Knowledge of insect pests, plant diseases, invasive plant species, integrated pest management, tree fruit culture, apiculture, pollination, and standard horticultural practices.
• Experience with weather analysis/disease and pest model software. Michigan State University Enviro-Weather preferred.
• Comfortable handling machinery including tractors, chainsaws, and other implements.
• Experience using computer-aided drafting software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DEMANDS:

Ability to travel up and down stairs and ladders; bend, stoop, and lift to move materials; to pull/push, lift and carry up to 55 pounds on a regular basis; and to reach both above and below shoulder height. The nature of the work requires the ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments in varying temperatures and weather conditions.