Senior Horticulturist

Position Title:

Senior Horticulturist

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or related field

Experience managing staff, including professional staff, seasonal staff, volunteers and/or students

Experience working with the public, including public gardens or in public horticulture

Experience managing landscapes or gardens with diverse plantings and features, such as water features, intense horticulture displays, native gardens, and/or children's gardens

Experience managing budgets

Job Description:

Summary

Reiman Gardens is currently accepting applications for a Senior Horticulturist (Agricultural Specialist III). This position will report to the Associate Director of Horticulture and Operations. This role is a mid-level supervisor and jointly responsible for all outside garden care and maintenance. This position functions in a team relationship with other horticulture staff to uphold Reiman Gardens' reputation as the premier public horticulture institution in the state of Iowa.  

The Senior Horticulturist will plan, coordinate, delegate, execute, maintain, and troubleshoot all aspects of horticultural care for assigned garden spaces, as well as support other Horticulturist(s) in the accomplishment of the same actions for their assigned spaces. This includes but is not limited to seasonal garden maintenance goals, garden planting design and renovation projects, emergency response to irrigation and snow removal, and horticultural programmatic support.  

The incumbent will support the broader Reiman Gardens team during peak events or projects, including but not limited to, conservatory display changes, volunteer and member events, and winter light show installation. The incumbent will also participate in garden strategic planning and may serve on one or more planning committees or working groups tasked with implementation of those plans and programs.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

For more information about Reiman Gardens, please visit: Reiman Gardens

Level Guidelines

• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals

• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude

• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action

• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems.

• May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices

• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff

• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist

• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please Note: To receive full consideration, applications should be received by April 28, 2026.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

April 15, 2026

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

R18992