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Arboretum Land Care Assistant

Apply now(opens in a new window) Job No: 511037
Division/Organization: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Department: Arboretum Education Programs
Job Type: UW Student Jobs
Remote Eligbility: Not Remote
Location: ARBORETUM-MCKAY CENTER
Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $15.00
Job Categories: Interpersonal Communication, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Teamwork/Collaboration, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Facilities and Landscaping, Career Management, Federal Work-Study Preferred

Department Overview:

 The Arboretum is a University of Wisconsin research and teaching facility, which includes 1200 acres of prairies, woodlands, savannas, wetlands, native plant gardens and Lake Wingra shoreline, as well as a 40-acre traditional arboretum containing the largest and most diverse woody plant collection in Wisconsin. We restore and manage native ecosystems, maintain and interpret our woody plant collection, conduct restoration ecology research and provide many learning opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

The Arboretum provides an in-depth experience for student employees, through hands-on practical experience, leadership training, and collective activities across Arboretum units.

Anticipated Start Date:

 Mid May 2026

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):

 Late August 2026

Remote Work Eligibility Detail:

Not Remote

 

Anticipated Hours Per Week:

 Minimum: 20 Maximum: 30

Schedule:

 Typically Monday - Thursday, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:

 Minimum: $15.00

Number of Positions:

 2

Qualifications:

 Must be enrolled as a student for the fall 2026 semester.
Must hold valid driver’s license that meets UW Risk Management standards. Ability to drive a manual transmission vehicle and/or farm tractor is preferred.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks including lifting, shoveling, stooping, bending, hauling, kneeling and other motions for extended periods of time.
Ability to work in difficult terrain, under adverse field conditions and during inclement weather, including heat, sun, humidity, rain, and insects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Good oral and written communication skills required.
Basic horticultural and plant identification skills preferred.
Experience using landscape maintenance hand and power tools desirable.

Position Summary/Job Duties:

Arboretum Land Care Assistants will work independently and as members of teams under the direct supervision of the Land Care Manager and woody plant collection Curator to carry out management activities in the Arboretum’s restorations and horticultural collections. Work will include a wide variety of tasks that may include, but will not be limited to:

--Weed control and invasive species management using manual and mechanical methods.
--Harvest of seeds from native plants.
--Removal and planting of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
--Care (weeding, planting, mulching, pruning & other plant cultural practices) of horticultural collection specimens.
--Other duties as assigned.

Questions about the position can be directed to Michael Hansen at michael.hansen@wisc.edu

If you are applying to more than one job at the Arboretum, please rank your interest in each position in priority order (1st, 2nd, etc) and indicate this in your cover letter.

Physical Demands:

Candidates must be willing to do physical work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
The Arboretum is located 4 miles south of campus and is not on a bus line. Reliable transportation is required.

Institutional Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

Accommodation Statement:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
 
 

Advertised: Central Standard Time
Applications close: Central Standard Time

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