Horticulture Technician - Grand Rapids, MI,

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept ...

Job description

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. Meijer Gardens' commitment is to create a legacy of lifelong learning, enjoyment, and a rich cultural experience for generations to come. 
 
Horticulture Technician 

Are you looking for a full-time role where your hard work truly makes a difference? Do you enjoy staying active, working with your hands, and being part of a team that brings cultural events and community experiences to life? If so, we'd love to welcome you to our team

About the Position

Bring your passion for plants, outdoor environments, and hands‑on horticulture work to our team We're looking for a skilled Horticulture Technician to help maintain our display gardens, greenhouses, conservatories, irrigation systems, and turf areas. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in high‑quality landscape care, and is comfortable operating a wide range of horticultural equipment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking steady full-time hours with benefits and perks, a positive work environment, and the chance to grow with a strong, supportive team.

What You'll Do

• Support greenhouse and conservatory operations, including plant production, environmental monitoring, and general upkeep.
• Operate a variety of horticultural and landscape‑maintenance equipment, including pickup trucks, tractors, utility carts, commercial mowers, trailers, loaders, skid steers, snowplows, dump trucks, and similar machinery.
• Ensure all landscape spaces are safe, healthy, and visually appealing.
• Maintain display gardens, turf areas, irrigation systems, and plant collections.
• Perform horticultural tasks including planting, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, watering, and integrated pest management.

What We're Looking For

• A dependable, hardworking individual who takes pride in their work
• A team-oriented mindset and willingness to help where needed
• Ability to operate machinery and equipment
• Availability for 1st shift (7 am or 7:30 am start time) 
• A positive attitude and eagerness to learn

Why You'll Enjoy Working With Us

• Full-time employee benefits and perks 
• A welcoming, energetic, and collaborative team environment
• Meaningful work supporting culture, tourism, and community engagement
• Opportunities to develop new skills and grow within the organization
• A workplace where your contributions are noticed and valued

If you're seeking a full-time role where you can stay active, contribute excellence, and be part of something special, we encourage you to apply.

Join us in creating memorable experiences

Requirements:

Education:  
 High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred
Certifications/Licenses:
Current First Aid and CPR certification preferred

Ability to obtain and maintain valid State of Residence driver's and chauffeur's license prior to hire date. 

Ability to obtain and maintain valid Aerial Lift Operator, and MI pesticide applicator licenses prior to hire date or within a set time within the course of employment.

Experience: 
Minimum of 2 years of hands‑on, relevant experience required.
Minimum of 2 years of hands‑on, relevant horticulture or landscape maintenance experience preferred.
Technician or Maintenance (light duty) experience preferred.
 
Knowledge and Abilities

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Able to pass a respirator fit test as defined by worker protection standards
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification preferred
• Ability to interact with facility guests, staff, vendors, and contractors in a courteous and professional manner to support a safe and positive experience.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• General knowledge of fire codes, ADA accessibility requirements, and basic event safety practices, with the ability to follow established procedures.
• Basic working knowledge of computer systems.
• Basic proficiency with common business applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Word, or comparable tools.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks effectively while maintaining awareness of time and event deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing exhibition needs and schedules while exercising sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
• Commitment to personal accountability, reliability, and completing assigned work to established standards.
• Ability to demonstrate the brand Core values and standard of service excellence
• Ability to work a varied schedule, weekends, and periodic holiday shifts.
• Ability to adjust work hours on an agreed as-needed basis during peak project periods, which may occasionally include modified hours or limited weekend availability during peak season.

Organizational Expectations

• Welcoming: Fostering joy and an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.
• Excellence: Approaching all we do with world-class intentionalism.
• Innovation: Embracing the future to create unique and engaging experiences in art, culture and nature with a commitment to creativity.
• Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
• Stewardship: Preserving and enhancing our community, physical, cultural, and financial resources for current and future generations.

Working Conditions:

Physical Requirements:
Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. Must be able to regularly move up to 20 pounds, frequently up to 50 pounds, and occasionally 100+ pounds (such as loading, unloading, and moving supplies, medium to heavy tools, and equipment). Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching are required. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder and must be able to work at heights up to 50 feet. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others is required. Includes occasional object manipulation with or without assistance and the ability to efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors with exposure to extreme temperatures, loud noise, dust, fumes, hazardous materials, cleaning agents, small spaces, and varying heights. Conditions may include challenging weather such as temperatures exceeding 100°F, dropping below 0°F, rain, snow, high humidity, and direct sunlight in both outdoor settings and greenhouse environments. Basic mobility is required across offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. PPE is required for certain tasks. Social interaction is required.

As part of our onboarding process, all new hires are required to complete our background check.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.