Collections Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Location: Chaska, Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in partnership with the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, is one of the nation’s premier university-based public gardens. The Arboretum’s extensive landscapes across its 1,200 acres include 49 display and specialty gardens, 44 plant collections representing 6,100 taxa of plants including the nationally accredited pine and ornamental grass collections, and native and restored woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. The Arboretum seeks a passionate and experienced horticulture manager to oversee the daily operations of the horticulture and collections department. Reporting to the Director of Horticulture and Collections, the position has shared leadership responsibility for all aspects of landscape operations, garden and collections management, arboriculture and plant health care, and stewardship of the Arboretum’s extensive natural resources. The position coordinates closely with other departments including curation, facilities and project management, education, and guest services on ongoing, cross‑functional operations and projects. The successful candidate will have broad technical horticultural experience and expertise as well as demonstrated management, communication, and leadership skills. The Assistant Director of Horticulture will lead a team of full‑time, part‑time, and seasonal employees, including Civil Service and labor‑represented staff. This role is responsible for ensuring appropriate personnel training, development, and performance feedback. The position fosters a workplace environment where all staff are committed to principles and practices of respect, diversity, inclusivity, continuous improvement, excellent customer service, and teamwork. The position will be expected to play a leadership role on Arboretum‑wide committees, contribute regularly to all‑staff meetings, and demonstrate excellence in coordination and communication across the organization.

• Coordinate the day‑to‑day planning and execution of the holistic horticultural management of the Arboretum’s 1,200‑acre landscape including staff supervision, prioritization of work, and allocation of resources.
• Collaboratively coordinate a seven‑day a week operation including early morning and weekend weather monitoring and snow removal, staff organization, arboretum‑wide communications, event support, and trail or road closures.
• Assist with setting departmental short‑ and long‑term goals and priorities to ensure horticultural excellence in alignment with other world‑class botanical gardens and arboreta.
• Provide horticultural expertise and insight for departmental and Arboretum‑wide projects including operational improvements, irrigation and landscape management, garden design and redevelopment, and collections development.
• Supervise an adaptive approach to plant health care through the development and execution of integrated pest management, soil health, and arboriculture and tree risk assessment programs.
• Manage greenhouse and nursery production team in the timely and efficient production of annual and perennial plants, collection material, and seasonal displays.
• Assist with management of food demonstration areas and learning greenhouse in coordination with Education Department.
• Assist with landscape infrastructure maintenance and improvement assessments to help establish prioritizations of repair, replacement, or renewal of hardscape features, benches, irrigation, drainage systems, etc.
• Regularly inspect grounds and horticultural maintenance areas and facilities to ensure compliance with industry standards for maintenance and safety.
• Ensure procedures and policies meet environmental health and safety standards across all aspects of horticulture and landscape operations by working closely with related University units.

• Oversee full scope of staffing and personnel management for the horticulture team, including assisting with organizational structure development, hiring, employee reviews, goal setting, and performance management.
• Assist in preparing, managing, and overseeing resources and budgets for all functions of the horticulture and collections department.
• Oversee departmental committees, staff training, and professional development opportunities and contribute to the Arboretum internship program.
• Coordinate with the Arboretum’s Facilities and Project Management department to solicit, hire, and manage contractors for horticultural projects such as pavement, irrigation, drainage, or minor construction projects.
• Foster a work culture that values significant volunteer engagement to increase capacity of staff to maintain and improve garden and managed landscape areas.

• Serve as liaison to other departments to coordinate Arboretum activities such as educational programming, event planning, public communications, and research.
• Assist in cultivating external partnerships that advance the mission of the Arboretum.
• Interface with various city, state, and other government agencies and University units.
• Assist in media inquiries and interviews in coordination with the Arboretum marketing team.
• Other duties across the organization as assigned.

• BA/BS degree plus at least eight years of experience in horticulture; garden development, design, or maintenance; greenhouse management; arboriculture and plant health care practices; and/or natural lands stewardship OR master’s degree plus at least six years of experience OR a terminal degree plus at least four years of experience.
• Minimum of two years of related supervisory experience leading teams in complex horticulture operations.
• Within one year of employment, must earn and maintain ISA Certified Arborist credential.
• Required to work in all weather conditions in all seasons and may require evening and weekend work as needed.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, plant sciences, forestry, or other related field.
• Experience working in public gardens.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, grant writing, and team leadership.
• Experience leading teams in a unionized work environment.
• Experience operating equipment related to grounds management, 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.

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.