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Arboretum Native Plant Garden Assistant

Apply now(opens in a new window) Job No: 511036
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, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Facilities and Landscaping, Career Management, Honoring Context and Culture, 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, gardens, and Lake Wingra shoreline. We restore and manage native ecosystems, conduct restoration ecology research, and provide many learning opportunities for volunteers and visitors. The Native Plant Garden is located on 4 acres surrounding the Visitor Center. It is a teaching and demonstration garden, representing the native plant communities of southern Wisconsin, with a focus on pollinator conservation.

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 

Schedule:

 Weekdays, usually 4 days, 5 hours per day

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 a valid driver's license that meets UW Risk Management standards.
Must be able and willing to work around pollinators, including bees, wasps, butterflies, flies, beetles, etc.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Experience in plant identification (Wisconsin native plants and weeds) is preferred.
Ability to safely use tools and equipment (pruners, loppers, rakes, hoes, brush saws, etc) and consistently wear proper safety equipment (gloves, ear plugs, eye protection).
Able to work well with staff, interns, and volunteers who work in the Gardens.
Must be reliable.

Position Summary/Job Duties:

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Garden tasks such as planting, weeding, mulching, raking, watering, plant care, site preparation, maintaining paths and other tasks as needed
• Monitor garden areas and conduct pollinator surveys
• Lab cleanup and tool/equipment care
• Help maintain displays of native plant material
• Enter data and maintain photo archives from pollinator surveys
• Assist with pollinator conservation projects, as directed.

Questions about the position can be directed to Susan Carpenter at susan.carpenter@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:

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/
 
 

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Applications close: Central Standard Time

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