Job Location

Position Type

Position Summary

The Horticulturist is responsible for performing horticultural activities in turf, hardscape, and landscape areas occupied by Crystal Bridges, and other facility related assignments that may arise from time to time. The Horticulturist must be proficient in all responsibilities which fall under the landscape grounds technician role, as well as the expanded responsibilities that are listed below in bold. In addition to the principal responsibilities the horticultural role requires proficiency in at least one of the horticultural competencies listed under technical skills

Positions Principal Responsibilities

• Lawn, Tree, and Shrub Maintenance perform assigned lawn, tree, and shrub maintenance

• Annual and Perennial Ornamental Garden Maintenance maintain assigned garden areas including seasonal flower displays and perennials

• Paved Area Maintenance perform routine cleaning, basic repair, and snow and ice removal of the parking lots, walkways, and other paved areas

• Leaf Removal perform removal of leaves from lawns, shrub, and planting beds

• Equipment and Ornamental Mechanical Fixture Maintenance maintain and repair tools and equipment as needed for proper function, as well as garden restrooms, drinking foundations, and garden furniture and fixtures

• Security/Public Relations greet visitors, maintain the security and integrity of the grounds and museum, and serve as a source of information for visitors.

• Irrigation Maintenance monitor and maintain irrigation systems, trouble shoot problems or evaluate performance, perform field diagnostics and repairs throughout all aspects of the system

• Landscaping builds which includes dirt work, rock work, and other hardscape installation. It also includes installing all manner of plants, mulch, drainage, and low voltage lighting

• Developing and installing basic landscape designs based on understanding of plant types, environmental factors, and maintenance practices.

• Basic plant identification and implementing maintenance and cultural practices to maintain or improve plant health.

• Utilize Microsoft Excel or other database software to organize data for asset organization and management programs.

• Perform quality control checks and audits of landscape contractor work and communicate findings to leaders and contractor in verbal and written forms.

• Represent trails and grounds department in site walks and project meetings with Crystal Bridges employees and volunteers working on projects and programs that overlap with assigned trails and grounds work.

• Prepare designs and quantity estimates for maintenance and project work that fall under assigned areas and programs.

• Identify, develop, communicate, and perform long term (6 month- 1 year) maintenance strategies in assigned areas of the grounds to improve safety, environmental, and aesthetics of assigned areas.

• Prepare and deliver written and verbal presentations to trails and grounds staff and leaders highlighting horticultural programs and initiatives.

Technical skills

The horticulturist employee must have formal education, licensed, certification, or demonstrated skillset in at least one of the horticultural competencies listed below. The minimum requirement is that a horticulturist must be able administer one of the following strategies or initiatives with very little daily oversight.

• Comprehensive understanding of plant species, plant types, plant identification, and plants uses in landscape and natural environments. And a strong understanding of the various cultural and maintenance practices that can be incorporated into a landscape setting or garden that will provide healthy and vibrant plants.

• Arboriculture and/ or forestry. Ability to perform various types of pruning and felling work with trees or various sizes and species. Understanding of diseases, pests, and associated hazards and concerns dealing with tree health and safety.

• A strong understanding of integrated pest management principles and practices. And ability to develop and administer a proactive IPM program in a landscape, garden, and natural settings.

• Proficient in design, installation, and maintenance of large-scale commercial irrigation systems including central control systems. An understanding of water management approaches for establishing and maintaining healthy landscapes and utilizing water resources efficiently.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, Skills, and Traits

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English

• General computer skills required

• Possess a strong commitment to customer service

• Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of business

• Ability to work independently and with initiative

• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve

• Training and experience working with powered equipment including mowers, like trimmers, blowers, rototillers, chainsaws, etc.

• Basic knowledge and documented skill in turf care, arboriculture, and plant care.

• Ability to clearly and concisely present in written and verbal format.

• General project estimating and understanding.

Work Experience

• At least 4 years of experience in landscaping, garden maintenance, or a related field; previous work experience in public horticultural gardens a plus. And/or a combination of horticulture-based schooling and work combining for at least 4 years.

• Must be able to identify, care for, and maintain annuals, perennials, woody shrubs and trees, weeds and wildflowers, and other local and native plants. Expertise in plant care with knowledge of cultivated ornamental and native plants, and knowledge of plant taxonomy preferred.

License and Certifications

• Valid Arkansas Drivers License with clean driving record

• Able to obtain an ODA Pesticide Technicians license

• Certificate or license in specialized areas of horticulture is preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting or leaning while on post will not be permitted.

• Physical demands: Work is very strenuous, requiring standing and walking 95% of the time, with kneeling, crouching, turning/twisting, and reaching required for the majority of job activities. Must be able routinely to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.

• Work Environment: Majority of work is performed outdoors where worker is subject to climate changes and inclement weather. At times, worker will be exposed to potential hazards associated with use of mechanical tools and pesticides common to gardening, landscaping and lawn care.

About Crystal Bridges

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding American art. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization by arts patron and chair of the museums board of directors, Alice Walton. Since opening to the public on 11-11-11, the museum has welcomed more than 5 million visitors and garnered 15,000 membership households. Some 280,000 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost.

Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A series of pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds house the galleries and amenities such as a restaurant, museum store designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. In addition to the museums architecture, a Usonian house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was preserved, acquired, and moved to the museum grounds in 2015, and a rare Buckminster Fullers Flys Eye Dome was installed in 2017, both providing access to American architectural masterworks in a natural setting.

Sculpture and walking trails link the museum's 120-acre park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. A new entrance, elevator tower, and pedestrian bridge was added to the north side of the building in 2017, increasing access to the museums north lawn and newly enhanced North Forest Trail. More than 600,000 visitors a year utilize the museums five miles of walking trails.

Crystal Bridges permanent collection spans five centuries of American artworks from early American to the present, and is always free to view. Crystal Bridges is committed to telling broad and inclusive stories by acquiring and showcasing the highest quality works by artists underrepresented in art history and conventional museum frameworks. Works such as Asher B. Durands Kindred Spirits, Gilbert Stuarts George Washington, and Georgia OKeeffes Jimson Weed are displayed alongside contemporary artists such as Kerry James Marshall, Maya Lin, Fritz Scholder, Jaune Quick-To-See-Smith, Felix Gonzales-Torres, and Amy Sherald represent some of the finest achievements in American art. The collection continues to grow, while the museum also offers temporary exhibitions that complement the collection and can also reveal arts connections to equality and justice.

Crystal Bridges provides year-round programming for all ages. In 2019, more than 800 public programs and events were offered, including lectures, performances, classes, and continuing education for K-12 teachers. Crystal Bridges stays connected online with the full collection available via eMuseum, an award-winning app, a podcast called Museum Way, all available for free, and many of the museums lectures such as the Distinguished Speaker Series are on Crystal Bridges YouTube channel. An online-learning initiative provides opportunities for students and teachers with arts-based courses, as well as SmartHistory with arts history videos and essays. Crystal Bridges also offers two research fellowship programs. The Tyson Scholars in American Art program encourages and supports full-time scholarship that seeks to expand boundaries and traditional categories of investigation into American art and visual culture. The Reese Teacher Fellowship provides for research into the development of interdisciplinary connections between American art and core curriculum subjects of language arts, history, social studies, and the sciences. In addition, Crystal Bridges administers the awarding of the Don Tyson Prize, an unprecedented award recognizing significant achievements in the field of American art. Additional information about Crystal Bridges is available online at CrystalBridges.org.

About the Momentary

The Momentary is a new contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. A satellite to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary presents visual, performing, and culinary arts. The mission of the Momentary is to champion contemporary arts role in everyday life and explore the unfolding story of contemporary American arts in an international context by actively commissioning and exhibiting outstanding works that explore new ideas and inspire action. The Momentary was founded by the Walton family, based on the vision of Tom, Olivia, and Steuart Walton. The Walton Family Foundation is supporting this project as a way to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. The Momentary welcomes all with free general admission. Additional offerings include an artist-in-residence program, culinary experiences including an Onyx Coffee Lab, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, an outdoor festival space, and a gift store. For more information, visit theMomentary.org. The Momentary is located at 507 SE E Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.