Search
Header navigation

Horticulturist I

PublishedPublished: Published today
Salary : $44,512.00 - $60,403.20 Annually
Location : Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-02144
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Central

About the Position
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has an opportunity for a Horticulturist I to help cultivate and maintain the plant collections, landscapes, gardens, greenhouse displays, parks, grounds, and medians enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the city. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your horticultural experience in varied indoor and outdoor settings while contributing to attractive, healthy, and welcoming public spaces.

Here's what you can expect to do:
  • Plant, water, fertilize, propagate, prune, groom, and maintain a wide variety of plants and landscapes.
  • Monitor plants for pests, diseases, and growing conditions and maintain related horticultural records.
  • Assist with the design, installation, and care of gardens, planters, botanical collections, greenhouse displays, and zoo exhibits.
  • Safely operate and maintain horticultural tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles while following established safety practices.
  • Collaborate with staff and help guide volunteers, interns, or other team members in plant care, maintenance, and display work.

For more information and essential functions, see

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of , 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.

Position Requirements
12 months of experience in horticulture or a related industry, not including sales.

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

How to Apply

  1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
  2. Upload the following required document(s) via the online application system. You will not be able to submit your application without the document(s) attached. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
    • A resume


First time applying online? Read our

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
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.

Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.

Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered.

Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months 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 requires a medical examination, driver's license check, and a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment.

Human Resources Contact Information:
Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519
E-mail:

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

Veteran's Preference for Promotional 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

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.
The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.

Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:

City Paid Benefits
  • Health Insurance
  • Vacation/Holidays
  • Sick Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Retirement Program

Optional Benefits
  • Dental
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Disability Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance

For a detailed overview, visit
01

The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and application processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.
  • Yes

02

Do you possess a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Which of the following represents your highest level of completed education?
  • High School diploma or GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • None

04

Which best describes the number of years in horticulture or a related industry, not including sales. (The experience requirement is based on full-time paid work experience. Full-time employment is defined as 40 hours per week.)
  • Less than one year of experience
  • One year, but less than two years of experience
  • Two or more years of experience
  • No experience

05

Describe in detail your experience in the following areas:A) Greenhouse crop or bedding plant productionB) Tropical plant identification and maintenanceC) Integrated Pest Management, biocontrols, or organic methods for plant pest control
06

Describe any horticulture related project or public program development in which you have participated as a member of a team.A) What was your specific role?B) What challenges did you face, and how did you deal with those challenges?C) What was the outcome of the project or program?
07

Describe experience with speaking, leading tours, presenting educational programs, or providing customer service to the public in a diverse setting.
08

RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)
  • City of Saint Paul website
  • City of Saint Paul employee
  • City of Saint Paul job interest card
  • City of Saint Paul walk-in
  • City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
  • City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
  • Friend or family member
  • League of Minnesota Cities website
  • Governmentjobs.com website
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • X (formerly known as Twitter)
  • Indeed.com website
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Pollen website
  • MinnesotaWorks.net
  • College or University
  • Community organization
  • Job fair
  • Professional association
  • Saint Paul Elevate Session
  • People of Color Career Fair
  • Other

09

RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).
10

I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question