Explore a Career with Lauritzen Gardens

Join an Award-Winning Garden Destination

About Our Organization

Lauritzen Gardens—named Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and ranked #3 by USA Today for Top Botanical Gardens in the United States—is a 100-acre urban oasis showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Nebraska landscape.

As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to conservation across the Great Plains, environmentally responsible horticulture, and creating meaningful, inspiring experiences for our community. Our team takes pride in maintaining a world-class destination where people can connect with nature year-round.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Lauritzen Gardens, your work directly supports a beautiful, mission-driven environment—and we make sure our team is supported too.

Job Summary

The Lead Horticulturist is responsible for horticulture maintenance of several themed garden spaces and takes a lead role in seasonal display development. This position typically outlines the responsibility of leading and overseeing a team of horticulturists, ensuring proper care and maintenance of garden spaces. This role involves planning, implementing, and supervising various horticulture tasks, managing staff, and potentially collaborating with other professionals. Overall, the Lead Horticulturist plays a crucial role in ensuring the garden's health, beauty, and sustainability, while also leading and developing a team of horticulturists.

Primary Job Duties

• Develop and execute yearly maintenance plans, collaborating with the Horticulture Manager for each garden overseen.
• Collaborate with the Horticulture Manager in bed renovation and redesign.
• Understand and implement proper techniques for soil and plant care, including planting, weeding, watering, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, and other tasks as required for each assigned garden space.
• Develop seasonal-themed exhibits and displays as assigned.
• Proficiency in using power tools and equipment, such as a leaf blower, snow blower, string-trimmer, hedge trimmer, bed edger, skid-steel loader, golf cart, and utility vehicles.
• Ensure the safety of the work environment and adhere to relevant regulations.
• Monitor plant health, implement pest control measures, and address any issues that arise.
• Supervise horticulture volunteers as required.
• Interact with garden guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of basic plant maintenance.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of safe operation of tools and equipment.
• Willingness to perform hands-on horticulture tasks in all weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and rotating weekends with other horticulture team members.
• Customer service experience and the ability to work with diverse populations and volunteers.
• Ability to work under supervision, independently, and as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license required.

What We Offer

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