Horticulture Manager

Job Description:

Horticulture Manager

Description

Join Missoula County in making a meaningful impact, where your work supports our vibrant community, promotes public service, and contributes to a better future for all.

Job Description:

RATE OF PAY: $34.49

DEPARTMENT: ECOLOGY AND EXTENSION

JOB STATUS: REGULAR, FULL-TIME

BARGAINING UNIT: NONE, PERSONNEL PLAN

CLOSING DATE: AUGUST 6, 2026

TO APPLY: Please include with your completed application, a letter of interest and a resume. Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

DEFINITION: Oversees the horticulture programs and staff of the Department of Ecology and Extension, including oversight of the Plant Clinic and the Rocky Mountain Gardens, and provides technical assistance and education for the community and horticulture industry on plant ecology, pathology, horticulture, and pest management in Missoula County.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Oversees and supports department horticulture staff and the Rocky Mountain Gardens to develop and implement educational programming, field trials, and demonstration for horticultural success in Western Montana’s growing conditions. Coordinates with Missoula County’s MSU Extension Horticulture Agent to support programming and assist in the integration of Master Gardener volunteers into department activities. Oversees and coordinates activities of the Plant Clinic. Responds to inquiries from the public and provides information on horticulture, natural resources, agriculture, soils, and pest management. Identifies insect and plant samples. Diagnoses plant and pest problems and suggests options to manage them. Provides information on sustainable methods in pest management. Trains and manages volunteers on intake protocols for the Plant Clinic. Works with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Montana Department of Agriculture, and MSU Schutter Diagnostic Lab for survey and monitoring of invasive pests and plant diseases. Informs the public on new insect and plant disease problems in the Missoula area.Coordinates field visits to diagnose horticultural problems. Performs field monitoring on insect and plant diseases. Installs and monitors traps for new pest species. Trains volunteers on how to set and check traps, and record and report findings. Advises and assists turf, ornamental & nursery businesses with technical issues. Serves as a resource for the Montana Nursery & Landscape Association board of Directors, Montana Heritage Apple Program, Great Plains Diagnostic Network, Montana Cut Flower Association, and others. Recruits, hires, trains, supervises and evaluates staff, including permanent, seasonal, temporary, and short-term employees, interns and volunteers.

Serves as a member of the Department’s Leadership Team, assists with strategic vision and budget decisions related to horticulture programs in the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Requires a bachelor’s degree. Degrees best suited for this position are horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, botany, natural resources and related biological sciences.Requires three years of experience providing technical assistance or education about plant ecology, natural resources, or pest management. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires completion of Master Gardener training program within one year of employment. Requires the ability to obtain a Montana Government Pesticide Applicator license within four months of hire.

PHYSICAL/ENVIROMENTAL DEMANDS: Work will require considerable time in both an office setting and in the outdoors. The outdoor work may involve physical exertion such as walking over uneven terrain, bending, stooping, and occasional heavy lifting (10 to 50 pounds) in all types of weather.

Additional Job Description:

TO APPLY: Please include with your completed application, a letter of interest and a resume. Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

As a Missoula County employee, you will be a part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community.

Missoula County is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or military status