Horticulture Supervisor

Full Job Description

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – City of Saint Paul

Do you thrive at the intersection of plant science, leadership, and public spaces?

The City of Saint Paul is seeking a passionate and experienced Horticulture Supervisor to lead and elevate the horticulture operations at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

This role blends expert-level plant care with team leadership, sustainable practices, and public engagement — helping shape one of Minnesota’s most beloved botanical and garden destinations.

From greenhouse crop production and botanical collections curation to ornamental landscapes and the Japanese Garden, this position ensures that our living collections are vibrant, sustainable, and inspiring for thousands of visitors each year.

In this role, you can expect to:

1. Lead and develop a high-performing team
   Supervise horticulture staff, volunteers, and interns — providing direction, coaching, scheduling, performance management, and hands-on support.

2. Curate and care for diverse plant collections
   Oversee botanical collections, floriculture crop production, greenhouse operations, zoo exhibit landscapes, and the Japanese Garden — ensuring expert-level cultural care and display excellence.

3. Design and maintain exceptional public displays
   Plan, organize, and evaluate seasonal and permanent plant installations that meet high aesthetic and quality standards

4. Implement sustainable horticulture practices
   Lead Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biocontrol programs, pesticide application compliance, and environmentally responsible crop production systems.

5. Manage operations, safety, and resources
   Develop work plans and schedules, maintain inventories and procurement records, oversee SDS and pesticide compliance, ensure PPE standards, and support facility improvements and capital recommendations.

For more information and essential functions, see our Horticulture Supervisor job description.

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals.

At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve.

Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.

We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.

Requirements

Eight years of experience in horticulture or a related industry, not including sales. Public gardens experience and leadership experience is preferred.

NOTE: A Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a closely related plant science degree such as botany, agriculture, greenhouse management or floriculture, may be substituted for four years of experience.

An Associate’s degree in those areas may be substituted for two years of experience.

Must possess a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (written tests part A and E) within six months of the date of appointment.

Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of- state driver's license.

Qualifications

1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
2. Upload or submit the following required document(s) via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
   • A resume (optional)

First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.

Additional Information

Assessment: Qualifications Rating

The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire.

Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.

Internal Only Job Posting: This posting is open only to current, certified, classified City employees.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists are typically created from a pass/fail assessment. Those who pass the assessment will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.

Final Selection Process: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position.

Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire.

You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.

Pre-Employment Screening: This position will also require a medical examination, driver's license check, and a background check which may include criminal history and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying with education.

Resources Contact Information:
Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519
Email: michelle.lebow@ci.stpaul.gov

The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Veteran’s Preference for Internal Candidates: If you are a disabled veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statutes 197.455 you must submit a photocopy of your confirmation from the Veterans Administration of a permanent service-connected disability rated at fifty percent (50%) or more preferably at time of application.

Click here for more information.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.