Horticulture Apprentice - Morris Arboretum & Gardens
About The Position
The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants, people and place through education, research and horticultural display. Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a hub for botany, horticulture and urban forestry and a special part of Penn. The Horticulture Apprenticeship is designed to prepare individuals with a strong passion for plants and their care for a career in public gardens. Working with a team of horticultural experts, Apprentices receive hands-on training in all aspects of garden management and care of the living collections, with specific emphasis placed on refining a wide range of practical horticulture skills. Apprentices will also gain management experience by assisting in supervising volunteers. Through monthly educational opportunities, Apprentices will gain knowledge and insight into other aspects of public gardens. Whomever is selected for this part-time position should expect to work upwards of 40 hours a week depending on operational need. This position pays $16.00 an hour.
Requirements
- A high school diploma or GED is required, and an associate's degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
- Demonstrate a passion for horticulture, plants, and the natural world
- Be able and willing to communicate with diverse Arboretum visitors
- Be able and willing to work independently and as part of a team
- Be able and willing to work in all weather conditions
- Be able and willing to lift at least 25 lbs.
- A valid driver's license is required.
Responsibilities
- Assist with all garden tasks, including weeding, pruning, planting, mulching, and turf care.
- Learn to properly identify weeds and implement control methods.
- Demonstrate pruning skills using CODIT philosophy and assist in formative pruning of the Arboretum's plant collection.
- Demonstrate knowledge of proper pesticide use--handling, mixing, applying, and clean-up of pesticide equipment.
- Take part in watering plants and containers on a rotating weekend schedule.
- Participate in the Horticulture Department's project days.
- Interact with visitors as garden ambassadors.
- Direct horticulture volunteers under the section leader’s guidance.
- Learn to operate the following garden machinery: Small Equipment Operation - weed whacker, push mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, snow thrower Large Equipment Operation - golf cart, riding mower, backhoe, tractor, dump truck Arborist Equipment Operation - chainsaw, chipper
- Perform additional duties as requested
Benefits
- Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare.
- Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard. Please note that benefit eligibility is determined/based on ACA guidelines.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
