What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nursery Technician position at Holden Forests & Gardens?
Nursery Technician
Holden Arboretum - Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science
Holden Arboretum - Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science
Opportunity:
The Nursery Technician is responsible for the day-to-day care of plants, including propagation, potting, watering, weeding, and pest control in greenhouse and outdoor nursery environments. This role supports the production and maintenance of healthy, high-quality plants that advance the mission and goals of Holden Forests & Gardens, including Living Collections, gardens, conservation, education, and plant sales initiatives.
This position provides daily plant care and monitoring in greenhouse and nursery environments while supporting ongoing nursery operations. Working alongside seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns, the Nursery Technician provides training and guidance as needed. The role requires a commitment to ongoing professional growth, teamwork, strong customer service, and a consistent standard of excellence in plant care and presentation.
Reporting to the Director of Collections and Nursery Operations, this position carries out work in alignment with the Collections Policy, Collections Plans, and institutional priorities. The Nursery Technician implements these plans using appropriate propagation methods and horticultural best practices to achieve desired outcomes in a timely, efficient, manner.
Position Details:
- Reports to the Director of Collections and Nursery Operations
- Full-time, non-exempt position
- 40 hours a week guaranteed
- This position requires rotation weekend work and occasional after-hours coverage.
- Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
Key Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities of the Nursery Technician include, but not limited to:
Key responsibilities of the Nursery Technician include, but not limited to:
- Supports Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
- Provide daily care of greenhouse and nursery plants, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, spacing, and repotting
- Maintain optimal growing conditions based on seasonal and crop needs
- Monitor plant health and quality to ensure vigorous, high-performing plants
- Maintains high standards of cleanliness, organization, and operational order in workspaces
- Perform routine irrigation maintenance and general nursery upkeep
- Provide guidance to seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers
- Prepare plants for sale, display, or planting
- Operate nursery equipment safely and effectively
- Participate in weekend and after-hours coverage
- Monitor plants regularly for pests, diseases, and nutrient issues
- Implement IPM practices using biological, cultural, and chemical controls
- Apply pesticides in compliance with regulations and maintain required records
- Support beneficial insect use within IPM programs
- Carry out propagation tasks as directed in support of institutional priorities
- Assist with basic propagation methods, including seed sowing, cuttings, and division
- Assist with seed handling and storage as requested
- Maintain accurate plant records and labeling in BG-Base and related systems
- Support inventory tracking and basic production data collection
- Maintain nursery and pesticide inventories
- Work closely with internal clients to provide healthy, high-quality plants
- Coordinate with horticulture teams to ensure efficient plant movement and staging
- Share horticultural knowledge and expertise with staff, and through classes, videos, workshops and tours as requested
- Share horticultural knowledge and expertise in oral and written form through interviews, blogs, and articles as requested
Qualifications and Skills:
- Demonstrate a passion for people, plants and nature
- A bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, plant physiology, or related field with three (3) years’ experience caring for and propagating plants in a nursery setting
- Five (5) years’ experience caring for and propagating plants in a nursery setting would be considered in lieu of a degree
- A solid foundation of various propagation techniques such as: seed stratification & scarification, seed sowing, division, cuttings, and various grafting methods
- Interest in working outdoors year-round performing duties in all weather conditions.
- Experience working in team-based environment
- Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive, preferred
- Familiarity with database or inventory software preferable
- Maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle record, as this position will drive vehicles including golf cart, truck, and Kubota
- Ability to occasionally travel regionally and nationally preferred
- Pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment
- BG-Base Software preferred or to learn and utilize basic data entry/look-up within 120 days of hire
- Labeling Software preferred
- Will receive Workers Protection Safety Training on the first day of work and will renew annually
- OSHA Vehicle/Equipment Training
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Willing and able to operate small power equipment and perform strenuous, hands-on work year-round, in all types of weather conditions
- Working outdoors or indoors where ambient temperatures span 0-100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven and/or rocky
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch; use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, and controls, reach with hands and arms, and have the ability to talk and hear
- The ability to exert 50 pounds of force regularly
When you join HF&G, you join a team of professionals who are passionate about improving Northeast Ohio’s communities through our mission-driven programs. Some of the additional reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work:
In addition to the hourly rate of $22.50, we offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) | Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references. Candidates will start to be reviewed on July 31, 2026 and will continue until the role is filled.
Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.
Apply:
Qualified applicants should submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references. Candidates will start to be reviewed on July 31, 2026 and will continue until the role is filled.
Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.
Salary : $23 - $23