Garden Manager

Cause Capacity • Piedmont, CA

2d • $35 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

California Wild Natives is seeking an experienced, hands-on Garden Manager to lead care of assigned residential gardens across San Francisco and the Peninsula, with occasional visits to North Bay and East Bay gardens. The Garden Manager reports to the Garden & Operations Manager and serves as the in-field supervisor for Fine Gardeners, working alongside the crew and running gardens independently when the manager is not on site. This senior horticultural role combines garden leadership and quality control with advanced horticultural work, crew training, and operational communication.

The Garden Manager sets daily priorities, organizes work, maintains Wild Natives’ quality standards, identifies and addresses horticultural issues, and recommends garden improvements. The role includes detailed pruning, plant identification, irrigation programming and repairs, soil and plant health assessment, planting projects, garden renovations, and seasonal improvements. The manager also tracks work in Asana and Google Drive, communicates updates to managers and clients as needed, and helps maintain tools, materials, vehicles, and equipment.

The company focuses on sustainable practices, California native plants, healthy soil, biodiversity, and minimizing ecological impact. The position is on-site at client gardens and is full-time, Monday through Friday during daytime hours, with no weekends or holidays. A reliable personal vehicle is required. Compensation is $35–$40 per hour depending on experience, plus paid travel time between job sites, mileage reimbursement, a travel stipend, and bridge tolls. Benefits include paid sick leave and a 401(k) plan launching in January 2027. After a successful 90-day introductory period, the employee may be considered for a salaried position.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of professional gardening, fine gardening, or landscape maintenance experience; home gardening does not count.
• Experience leading, supervising, or training other gardeners in the field.
• Formal horticultural training, such as an associate or bachelor’s program, certificate, or continuing education coursework.
• Intermediate-to-advanced pruning skills and strong plant identification skills.
• Working knowledge of hand tools and power equipment.
• Irrigation experience, including programming timers and making field repairs.
• Understanding of soil health, plant pests and diseases, and treatment options.
• Strong attention to detail, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, work outdoors in all weather, and frequently bend, kneel, lift, and reach.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully, take ownership of tasks and outcomes, teach patiently, and work in an organized and self-directed manner.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of California native plants and ecological gardening practices.
• Experience caring for high-end residential gardens.
• Irrigation certification or advanced irrigation experience.
• Bilingual ability, especially in Spanish.
• Experience with Asana and Google Drive.
• Residence in San Francisco or on the Peninsula.
• Commitment to sustainability and native ecology and interest in developing a long-term horticulture career.

Responsibilities

• Oversee care and maintenance of assigned client gardens and ensure they consistently meet Wild Natives’ quality standards.
• Set daily priorities and organize garden tasks while balancing efficiency and quality.
• Identify and solve horticultural issues involving plant health, irrigation, soil, pests, and disease.
• Conduct regular quality checks and recommend garden improvements to management.
• Lead and mentor Fine Gardeners in the field, serving as the on-site lead when the Garden & Operations Manager is absent.
• Provide hands-on training in pruning, planting, irrigation, plant identification, tool use, and safety.
• Support onboarding of new team members and provide feedback on their development.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Perform and oversee detailed pruning of trees, shrubs, perennials, and native plant communities.
• Program and adjust irrigation timers and troubleshoot and repair irrigation systems in the field.
• Assess and improve soil health and diagnose plant health concerns and treatment options.
• Lead planting projects, garden renovations, and seasonal improvements.
• Track tasks and projects in Asana and Google Drive and communicate updates to managers in a timely manner.
• Share garden observations and recommendations professionally, including with clients as needed.
• Maintain and organize tools, materials, vehicles, and equipment, and flag site material needs.
• Help with seasonal planning and workload management.
• Learn the company’s gardens, client priorities, and quality standards during the first 90 days; independently manage assigned gardens; build working relationships with the manager and team; and learn the task-tracking and communication routines.

Benefits

• Paid travel time between job sites.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Travel stipend.
• Bridge toll reimbursement.
• Paid sick leave.
• 401(k) plan launching in January 2027.
• Eligible for consideration for a salaried position after a successful 90-day introductory period.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree