Horticulturist I

Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.

2. We strive for excellence.

3. We thrive on diversity.

4. We celebrate collaboration.

5. We champion innovation.

6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.

7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.

8. We act ethically.

9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Horticulturist I is responsible for the planning, maintenance, and operations of the campus community garden, other student garden spaces, and an outreach hydroponic garden. They manage and mentor student volunteers, plan and host educational programs and events, and collaborate with campus partners to advance sustainability goals. This role combines hands-on garden management with community engagement and sustainability education for students, faculty, and staff.

This position will interact on a consistent basis with: Staff, students, vendors, contractors, volunteers and community members.

This position typically will advise and counsel: Staff, students and volunteers.

This position will supervise: NA

Job Duty 1 -
Plan, design, and oversee the maintenance of the campus community garden, student garden spaces, and outreach hydroponic garden.

Job Duty 2 -
Recruit, train, and coordinate student, faculty, and staff volunteers ensuring meaningful engagement in garden operations.

Job Duty 3 -
Implement sustainable gardening practices and techniques, such as composting, organic pest management, and rainwater harvesting.

Job Duty 4 -
Maintain garden infrastructure, tools, equipment, and irrigation systems.

Job Duty 5 -
Track and manage garden budgets and maintain detailed records of activities and outcomes.

Job Duty 6 -
Design and deliver workshops, demonstrations, and seminars on gardening, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Collaborate with faculty to integrate garden-based learning into coursework and research projects.

Job Duty 7 -
Organize guided tours to educate visitors about the gardens' purpose, plants, and sustainability initiatives. Facilitate hands-on learning experiences such as planting, soil testing, and seed propagation activities.

Job Duty 8 -
Plan and execute garden events, including seasonal festivals and harvest celebrations. Manage event logistics, including setup, equipment rentals, catering, and volunteer coordination. Collaborate with campus departments and student organizations to co-host events aligned with the garden's mission and goals.

Job Duty 9 -
Cultivate partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community groups to promote collaborative initiatives and expand the garden's impact beyond campus.

Job Duty 10 -
Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Educational Requirements
Technical Diploma, Associate's Degree, or two years college course work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience
Two to three years of job-related experience.

Additional Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Certifications, Licenses or Permits:
Georgia Commercial Pesticide License, and Category 24

ABILITIES
o Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
o Ability to work independently in a dynamic and fast-paces environment
o The job requires occasional travel up to 10% or more of the time and the individual must have the
ability to handle object up to 20 lbs or more

KNOWLEDGE
o Landscape maintenance management experience
o Community outreach and event/program coordination preferred
o Experience with organic gardening practices, including soil health management, crop rotation, and
integrated pest management essential
o Requires knowledge of horticultural practices and processes including the use of Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) principles, landscape design, turf management, plant selection and cultivation

SKILLS
o Attention to detail
o Strong organizational skills
o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to engage and inspire

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Job Grade: C6

Pay Range: $17.98/hr - $24.45/hr

Location: Atlanta, GA

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening