Assistant Horticulturist – Seasonal (March through October)

Ladew Topiary Gardens, Inc.•Jacksonville, MD

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Job purpose The Assistant Horticulturist serves as a member of the specialized horticulture team and reports to the Director of Horticulture and Facilities, often receiving daily tasks from a Horticulture Section Coordinator. The overall purpose of this position is to create and maintain Ladew’s Gardens and Facilities providing visitors an opportunity to create memories and have a connection with nature. This position works collaboratively with other horticulture staff members, volunteers, and visitors on a daily basis. Ladew is known as one of the top gardens in the country and is recognized for excellence in horticultural display; maintaining and advancing this public garden’s standing in the industry is integral to this position.

Requirements

Experience with garden maintenance preferred OR participation in horticulture related program with demonstrated current knowledge
Proven successful track record of operating in a collaborative manner in a team environment and ensuring that accountability for assigned tasks are completed
Horticultural general practices
Collaboration
Communication & Relationship Management
Exemplary Customer service
Ethical Conduct
Technical Capacity

Responsibilities

Assist with the routine care for diverse plantings of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, and bulbs across Ladew’s twenty- two acres of formal gardens
Perform seasonal garden tasks including hand watering and monitoring irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought
Perform seasonal landscape work including planting, weeding, mulching, pruning, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting, pond maintenance, leaf removal
Assist Horticulture team by performing duties in a collaborative and engaging manner working with other members of the Ladew team including seasonal staff, interns and volunteers to meet departmental and organizational goals with the explicit intent of preserving Harvey Ladew’s overall design intent, interpretation, and vision of his gardens
Perform weekly push mowing and detailed string trimming and edging utilizing equipment in a proper and safe manner
General clean-up of garden beds and paths, clean-up of litter
Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily horticulture operations
Participate in snow and ice removal, as needed
Maintain tools and equipment used in a safe and preserving manner to ensure tools and equipment are in the most appropriate form for use
Participate in special events, as scheduled, and assist with preparation and setup/cleanup of these special events, as directed
Support peers and staff in achieving overall institutional goals