Horticulture Supervisor

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

Salary : $72,238.40 – $98,092.80 Annually
Location : Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-01712
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 02/19/2026
Closing Date: 3/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

About the Position
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory – City of Saint Paul

Do you thrive at the intersection of plant science, leadership, and public spaces? The City of Saint Paul is seeking a passionate and experienced Horticulture Supervisor to lead and elevate the horticulture operations at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. This role blends expert-level plant care with team leadership, sustainable practices, and public engagement – helping shape one of Minnesota’s most beloved botanical and garden destinations.

From greenhouse crop production and botanical collections curation to ornamental landscapes and the Japanese Garden, this position ensures that our living collections are vibrant, sustainable, and inspiring for thousands of visitors each year.
In this role, you can expect to:

1. Lead and develop a high-performing team
   Supervise horticulture staff, volunteers, and interns – providing direction, coaching, scheduling, performance management, and hands-on support.
2. Curate and care for diverse plant collections
   Oversee botanical collections, floriculture crop production, greenhouse operations, zoo exhibit landscapes, and the Japanese Garden – ensuring expert-level cultural care and display excellence.
3. Design and maintain exceptional public displays
   Plan, organize, and evaluate seasonal and permanent plant installations that meet high aesthetic and quality standards
4. Implement sustainable horticulture practices
   Lead Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biocontrol programs, pesticide application compliance, and environmentally responsible crop production systems.
5. Manage operations, safety, and resources
   Develop work plans and schedules, maintain inventories and procurement records, oversee SDS and pesticide compliance, ensure PPE standards, and support facility improvements and capital recommendations.

For more information and essential functions, see our Horticulture Supervisor job description

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

• Eight years of experience in horticulture or a related industry, not including sales. Public gardens experience and leadership experience is preferred.
  • NOTE: A Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or a closely related plant science degree such as botany, agriculture, greenhouse management or floriculture, may be substituted for four years of experience. An Associate’s degree in those areas may be substituted for two years of experience.
• Must possess a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (written tests part A and E) within six months of the date of appointment.
• 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 or submit the following required document(s) via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
   • A resume (optional)

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.

Internal Only Job Posting: This posting is open only to current, certified, classified City employees.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists are typically created from a pass/fail assessment. Those who pass the assessment will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.

Final Selection Process: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list 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 will also require a medical examination, driver’s license check, and a background check which may include criminal history and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying with education.

Resources Contact Information:
Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519
Email:

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

Veteran’s Preference for Internal 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

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

03

If you have a degree, specify the field.
04

Do you possess a valid Minnesota Class D Driver’s License or equivalent out-of-state driver’s license?

• Yes
• No

05

What standards or systems have you implemented to maintain high aesthetic and cultural care expectations across multiple horticultural environments?
06

Describe your leadership style when supervising skilled staff, volunteers, or interns in a technical environment.
07

Describe your approach to curating and managing diverse botanical collections in a public garden setting.
08

Describe your experience managing budgets, procurement, and inventory within a horticulture or public operations setting.
09

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

10

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).
11

Are you currently a Saint Paul resident?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer

12

If you indicated “yes” as a current Saint Paul resident, please indicate your zip code.
Required Question