Explore a Career with Lauritzen Gardens

About Our Organization

Lauritzen Gardens, acclaimed as the Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and voted #5 by USA Today for Top Botanical Gardens in the United States, is home to 100 acres of horticultural displays showcasing the diverse Nebraska landscape. Lauritzen Gardens is a non-profit organization that provides conservation efforts across the Great Plains, practices and promotes thoughtful and ecologically minded horticulture practices, creates educational and inspirational experiences, and offers a year-round schedule of tours, programs, and workshops that explore, explain, and celebrate the world of plants. Lauritzen Gardens is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and providing joyful experiences for its visitors.

Job Summary

The Horticulturist is responsible for assisting in all aspects of garden and land management in an assigned area to a high standard of ecological horticulture excellence under direct supervision. In this position, the employee will assist in managing outdoor gardens and plant collections by performing tasks such as weeding, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, edging, raking, planting, fertilizing, and applying pesticides. The Horticulturist will assist in creating designs and installing annual designs and show designs throughout the year. Like other full-time employees at Lauritzen Gardens, the Horticulturist is expected to work 40 hours per week in a schedule that may include a weekend day and participate in other duties assigned, including, but not limited to: snow removal, festivals and event staffing, special projects, and overtime work as needed.

Primary Job Duties

• Plant, prune, water, fertilize, and maintain trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and turf.
• Monitor plant health and diagnose pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Assist with landscape design, garden installations, and seasonal displays.
• Display commitment to excellence and a keen eye for garden detail.
• Be able to understand and interpret instructions to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Bring creative solutions to challenges.
• Be able to lift 40 lbs. safely, stand, squat, kneel 8 hour a day, and work safely in extreme environmental conditions.
• Must be willing to use fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides with the label-stated safety precautions and attain and applicator's license within 12 months of start date.
• Operate small engine equipment safely (golf cart, weed-eater, blower, edger, etc.).
• Clean and use hand tools and equipment responsibly.
• Weekly computer usage.

Education & Experience

• Must have at least 1 year of horticulture experience.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in education, life science, or design is preferred, and consideration will be given to those who are actively pursuing a degree.
• Valid driver's license.
• Understand the foundations of ecological and horticultural skills and be able to assist in managing the landscapes and plants under their care to the highest standards.
• Be able to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Be comfortable working with people of all ages.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401 (k) with company match.
• 8 Paid Holidays + 2 Paid Floating Holidays.
• Garden Membership.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Bereavement Leave.
• Opportunities for professional development.