Herc-Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

This position is located at the U of M Horticultural Research Center in Victoria, MN. This position is a full-time (9-month) Teamsters Unit 3 position; typically beginning March 1st and ending on November 30th annually. The position is responsible for maintaining apple trees and other fruit plants from greenhouse to research nurseries and orchards at the Horticultural Research Center.

Job Description:
50% Plant, prune, stake, transplant, irrigate, and perform other duties required to produce and grow apple trees and other plants needed at the Horticultural Research Center.

10% Identify and control pests and weeds. Apply herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, fertilizer and other materials as needed to maintain good growing conditions. Hand weeding and mulch application as needed.

15% Manage, train and grow young fruit trees in nursery and research plots and orchards. Assist in bud-grafting and other forms of propagation needed to reproduce and grow fruit trees. Assist in the harvest of apples and other fruit grown at the Horticultural Research Center.

20% Assist in the breeding and evaluation of new fruit varieties, primarily apples but to include other fruits such as apricots, pears, plums and blackberries.

5% Adhoc projects as assigned

Additional Information:

Must be willing to work 5 days per week or less due to weather and availability of funding; including occasional weekends. Schedule will vary.

*** This job description describing the current responsibilities of this position is subject to change.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and one (1) year of related training or experience in commercial gardening/ orchard care, grounds maintenance, and/or greenhouse work or caring for fruit trees, particularly at a research facility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, climb 8-foot ladders, and be able to lift 50 pounds for extended periods of time.
• Pesticide applicator's license may be required for some positions.