Horticulturalist

Description

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events located in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched in the country with Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit and Live Nation producing over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. COTALAND is an amusement park with over 30 attractions and experiences, including first-of-their-kind roller coasters. 

Landscaper (Horticulturalist) is responsible for the health, quality, and installation of all plant material throughout the property. This role requires horticultural knowledge, greenhouse experience, and the ability to lead landscape crews while maintaining the highest standards of plant care and presentation.

Requirements

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain the health and quality of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropical, and container plantings.
• Assist greenhouse operations including watering, fertilization, pruning, pest management, propagation, and environmental controls.
• Identify plant health issues, nutrient deficiencies, diseases, and insect problems, and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform daily work assignments and ensure projects are completed safely and efficiently.
• Coordinate and perform installation of trees, shrubs, perennials, seasonal color, and specialty plantings.
• Execute proper planting techniques, irrigation practices, pruning, mulching, and plant maintenance.
• Monitor irrigation systems and ensure proper watering schedules for newly installed and established landscapes.
• Inspect incoming nursery stock to ensure plants meet quality standards before installation.
• Maintain accurate records of greenhouse inventory, chemical applications, fertilization schedules, and plant replacements.
• Work closely with supervisors to prioritize daily tasks and support special events and seasonal displays.
• Operate landscape equipment and assist with general grounds maintenance as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of greenhouse or nursery experience.
• 3+ years of commercial landscape installation and maintenance experience.
• Strong knowledge of ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and tropical plants.
• Experience supervising or leading landscape crews.
• Ability to diagnose common plant diseases, insect pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and proper watering practices.
• Experience with fertilizer programs and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Ability to read landscape plans and execute installations accurately.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in Horticulture, Plant Science, or related field.
• Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license (or ability to obtain).
• Experience operating greenhouse environmental control systems.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Experience with commercial landscapes, botanical gardens, theme parks, or resorts.

Key Skills

• Advanced plant identification
• Greenhouse production and care
• Crew leadership
• Landscape installation
• Irrigation knowledge
• Plant diagnostics
• Quality control
• Time management
• Communication
• Attention to detail

Salary commensurate with experience. 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

COTA strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.