Job Opportunity at the ABQ BioPark: Assistant Gardener (Curandera Garden)

The successful candidate will assist with a variety of duties involved in the planning, care, and maintenance of medicinal plants and the Curandera garden exhibit, and will perform a variety of related tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. This position reports to the BioPark Curator of Plants and is part of the Horticulture department, receiving direction from higher level supervisory or management staff within the department. 

This position is employed through a temporary staffing agency, not the City of Albuquerque, and is located at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden. This is a grant-funded part time position and is limited to a two-year term. 

The Assistant Gardener duties for the Curandera Garden may include, but are not limited to:

• Participate in a variety of grounds and plant maintenance duties including trimming shrubs, weed abatement, mowing and edging lawns, watering plants and trees, and sweeping grounds; assist in the set-up and planting of new plants.
• Learn to perform various basic gardening, plant maintenance and nursery duties; water, re-pot, prune and transplant plants; harvest seeds.
• Assist with preparing flower beds for planting; fertilize flower beds and mulch with chips; prune and trim shrubs; trim trees as needed; inspect flower beds and surrounding areas for diseases and pests.
• Learn to operate a variety of gardening and maintenance equipment including a mower, leaf blower, line trimmer, aerator, and fertilizer spreader. Assist with performing minor maintenance and repair on equipment as needed.
• Perform general grounds maintenance duties; pick up litter from grounds; utilize power blower and vacuum to dispose of leaves and debris.
• Assist with pest control operations as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications 

Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply. Experience in landscape maintenance or horticulture is preferred. Applicants must be able to perform basic gardening activities including repeated bending, kneeling, and lifting in variable outdoor conditions. Applicants can also expect constant exposure to extreme heat, noise, dust, pollen, insects, and other environmental conditions as part of ongoing work requirements.

Candidates must pass a security background check and drug screen to be hired.

Work schedule:  

Part-time, not to exceed 30 hours per week. Hours to be completed Monday-Friday between 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

Pay rate:  

$12.00 per hour. This position is employed through a temporary staffing agency, not the City of Albuquerque.

To apply:

Please prepare a résumé, with contact information for three references.

Send this information to [email protected] with the subject line Application for Assistant Gardener - Curandera with Albuquerque BioPark. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.