Nitobe Memorial Garden Horticulturist Trades Qualified

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Trades 2 - Horticulturist

Job Title

Nitobe Memorial Garden Horticulturist Trades Qualified

Department

Horticulturists | Botanical Garden and Centre for Horticulture

Compensation Range

$6, $7,226.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

February 17, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

March 31, 2027

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

This role offers a unique opportunity for growth and mentorship in the field of Japanese gardening. This position provides valuable exposure to traditional Japanese gardening techniques, direct interaction with the Japanese gardening community, patrons and stakeholders, and the chance to deepen your existing knowledge and experience. You'll have the opportunity to learn hands-on from an experienced mentor and further develop your expertise in Japanese garden practices and customs.

If you already possess comprehensive knowledge and experience in the field, and are eager to expand and refine your skills, this position is an excellent opportunity for both professional and personal growth.

Please note that weekend availability is required.

Job Summary

Nitobe Memorial Garden (NMG) is a part of UBC Botanical Garden and is one of the world's most authentic Japanese Gardens outside Japan. The NMG Horticulturist TQ combines horticultural excellence with cultural knowledge and ambassadorship – omotenashi – Japanese hospitality. This position focuses on maintaining the many and varied aspects of NMG, along with acting as a representative of NMG participating in all aspects of work within a Japanese special collection. This position supports the NMG's horticultural maintenance, including providing exceptional Japanese horticultural skills, techniques, and the continuation of cultural relevance.

This position participates in all aspects of work within NMG; including, but not limited to: plant acquisition, supervision of labour, horticulture training program related teaching, extension and research activities, and informally representing the NMG with outside organizations. The Horticulturist TQ assists senior horticulturists and researchers in conducting and undertaking research, maintaining scientifically valuable plant collections, and develops and maintains contacts in the wider scientific community.

Organizational Status

Work is performed under the general supervision of Nitobe Memorial Garden Curator-Horticulture or appropriate senior staff as required. Exercises judgement and initiative in handling matters of a non-routine nature in the absence of established policies, procedures, and guidelines. Works with and provides advice and guidance to Garden horticulture staff on Japanese garden related needs. Works with an collaborates with the Garden Team.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Work Performed

• Using traditional and modern Japanese Horticultural techniques and tools, this position participates in all aspects of horticultural work within NMG.
• Responsible for routine and specialized horticulture activities, including wedding, watering, planting, mulching, monitoring plant pests and plant health, applying fertilizers and integrated pest management plans, pruning, and all aspects of vegetative and seed propagation required for NMG.
• This work includes: accessing Japanese reference guides; overall understanding of Japanese aesthetic principles as they are applied to both gardening and ways of knowing; selection and acquisition of specialized Japanese plant materials; identifying and labeling plants according to current and correct botanical nomenclature.
• Responsible for the care of plants within research collections, including rare and specialized plants and plant collections, using the appropriate hand tools and mechanized equipment to maintain the plants.
• Performs specialized garden maintenance, such as maintenance of the area around the waterfall, the iris beds, maintain the moss areas, and ensuring the irrigation is working correctly and hand-watering areas that are not under the irrigation system.
• In the absence of the NMG Curator establishes priorities for subordinate staff and monitors progress of major projects.
• As a fundamental approach, demonstrates Japanese gardening techniques, practices and culturally significant methods to garden research staff to ensure the ongoing integrity of the plant collections potentially impacted by research projects.
• Carries out tasks related to all components of NMG including routine garden maintenance.
• Uses a range of horticultural tools to prepare and maintain NMG grounds.
• Assists senior horticulturists in conducting investigations and developing new methods and techniques relating to cultural requirements, growing procedures, nutritional requirements, and production of nursery stock of plants and species in all areas of the NMG.
• Helps guide the development of junior horticultural staff, labourers, apprentices, and student trainees (including students in the Horticulture Training Program) through practical training, supervision, and horticultural leadership, emphasizing the direct importance and historical significance of NMG as a place of Japanese heritage and horticultural impact.
• Participates in the planning and organizing work for other Horticulturists or Labourers working within NMG equipment and tools to meet operational requirements following departmental policies, procedures and objectives for use within NMG.
• Supports the work of UBC Botanical Garden research staff to facilitate research, including (but not limited to) monitoring the work of researchers and responding to research enquiries, and relaying this information to the Botanical Garden Research Manager.
• Participates in the writing of specialized reports and information.
• Stays current in the practices of horticulture, specifically Japanese gardening, through professional development and self-directed learning.
• Provides horticultural expertise and advice to external organizations on the techniques and elements associated with work within a Japanese garden, including (but not limited to) other botanical gardens and institutions.
• Performs related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Exercises judgment in the handling of matters, including technical decisions involving complex problems and judgment and initiative in addressing such issues. Represents the university and is responsible for the integrity and cultural significance of NMG; inappropriate decisions may result in strained and/or loss of connections within the Japanese Canadian community, including ties with Japanese Consul and Japanese universities. Additionally, errors could jeopardize the collection, loss of collection and/or the loss of species and may cause service delays and costs, impacting the overall operations and budget of the garden.

Supervision Received

Work is performed under the supervision of the NMG Curator-Horticulturist, including mentorship in the unique elements of work within an authentic Japanese Garden.

Assists with supervising the work of subordinate staff at NMG, participates in the training, oversight and assignment of the work of staff and students with the input of managers. Under the supervision of NMG Curator/Horticulturist, monitors subordinate staff, and ensures they are utilizing the methods, practices and cultural significance of Japanese gardening within NMG, including, when directed, to training Guest Services staff on the correct opening and closing procedures of all elements within the garden.

Minimum Qualifications

• Certification to a journeyperson level as a Horticulturist and/or Red Seal, Pesticide Applicator's Certificate, a valid BC driver's license and a minimum five years of related experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Japanese Landscape Planning, Design, Management, Resource Science is preferred.
• Formal training in Japanese horticulture and Japanese garden maintenance preferred.
• Knowledge of Japanese horticultural practices and garden aesthetics, particularly for traditional Japanese gardens, including experience in pruning, plant selection, and garden layout principles unique to Japanese culture.
• Beginner level proficiency in spoken Japanese, with an understanding nuances between colloquial and formal, beginner level reading and writing (fluency preferred)
• Ability to clearly describe and explain complex horticultural and curatorial aspects of Japanese Gardens.
• Ability to perform advanced maintenance, and to plan and implement maintenance programs.
• Meticulous attention to detail and design.
• Ability to make thoughtful, informed decisions.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job (e.g., lifting, standing, working outdoors, operating equipment, tree climbing/ladder work).
• Ability to participate in instructional and training programs related to areas of work.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively train, supervise, and motivate employees.
• Ability to apply sustainability concepts to new and existing programs and facilities.
• Ability to work alongside volunteers.

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at

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