Overview
Plant care Specialist / Horticulturist Jobs in Excelsior Springs, MO at Blue Sparrow Lawn & Landscape
Qualifications & Experience
The Plant Care Specialist / Horticulturist will help guide how plants are cared for across Blue Sparrow properties and will be responsible for teaching and developing our field teams. Because of that, we’re looking for someone who already has a strong horticultural foundation and is ready to put that knowledge to work.
Required Qualifications
Candidates should have one or more of the following:
- Degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Landscape Horticulture or a closely related field
- OR 5+ years of professional experience in plant husbandry, horticulture, nursery production, ornamental plant care or a closely related field
- A combination of formal horticultural education and significant hands-on field experience may also be considered
Candidates must also demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and landscape plants
- Strong plant identification skills
- Knowledge of proper pruning techniques and timing
- Understanding of plant health, soil conditions, drainage, irrigation and environmental stress
- Ability to recognize and diagnose common insect, disease and cultural problems
- Knowledge of proper planting and establishment practices
- Understanding of plant selection, mature size, exposure and the concept of putting the right plant in the right place
- Ability to evaluate an existing landscape and identify opportunities to improve plant health, appearance and long-term performance
- Willingness and ability to work hands-on in the field
- Ability to teach, train and guide other employees
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Valid driver’s license
Highly Valued Qualifications
The following are not required, but would make a candidate especially attractive:
- Missouri Commercial Pesticide Applicator or Technician License
- Experience with pesticide, herbicide and plant health care applications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Nursery or greenhouse experience
- Landscape design and plant-selection experience
- Experience training or leading landscape crews
- Knowledge of Kansas City-area soils, climate and commonly used landscape plants
- Industry certifications or continuing horticultural education
The Person We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who already knows horticulture but is hungry for the opportunity to do something bigger with that knowledge.
Maybe you’ve spent five, ten or fifteen years working with plants and you’re ready for the next step. Maybe you have a horticulture degree but haven’t found a company where you can really put it to use. Maybe you’ve become the person everyone already comes to when they have a plant question.
We want to give that person an opportunity to build a career.
You’ll still be hands-on. You’ll work in landscape beds, prune plants, diagnose problems, help with installations and work alongside our crews.
But you’ll also teach.
You’ll help our bed maintenance crews understand plants instead of simply maintaining around them. You’ll help our installation teams understand why planting practices matter. You’ll assist with plant selection and design. You’ll help diagnose problems on our properties.
Most importantly, you’ll help us continue developing the Blue Sparrow Standard for horticulture and plant care.
We’re looking for someone with knowledge, curiosity, confidence and a desire to grow into greater responsibility as Blue Sparrow grows.
Pay: $22.00 – $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
Education:
- Bachelor’s (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Title: Plant care Specialist / Horticulturist
Company: Blue Sparrow Lawn & Landscape
Location: Excelsior Springs, MO
Category:
