Landscape Technician The Mann

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Philadelphia, PA

23d • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Gardens and Landscapes Team is seeking a full-time seasonal Landscape Technician assigned to the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts. This role is distinct in that it is largely solitary and requires a self-motivated individual with a higher level of horticultural knowledge, professionalism, and attention to detail.

The Landscape Technician at Highmark Mann will be responsible for the day-to-day horticultural care, maintenance, and presentation of a large and highly visible garden site, often working independently and trusted to manage daily priorities in alignment with PHS standards and client needs. This role requires regular interaction with Highmark Mann staff, who are considered the client, and an understanding that garden operations must adapt to the needs of an active performing arts venue.

While the position is primarily solo, the technician will occasionally receive assistance from fellow PHS employees at Highmark Mann when needed. The role reports directly to a PHS Project Manager and requires comfort working alone while maintaining clear, professional communication with both PHS leadership and on-site client staff.

This position is best suited for individuals who take pride in being trusted to manage their work independently while representing PHS at a high-profile cultural site.

Requirements

• Demonstrated horticultural knowledge, including plant care, watering needs, and seasonal maintenance
• Comfort and effectiveness working primarily alone
• Strong self-motivation, adaptability, and attention to detail, with the ability to take ownership of a site and its day-to-day presentation
• Ability to adjust work priorities quickly in response to client needs and event schedules
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to meet physical demands including kneeling, bending, squatting, climbing stairs, and standing/walking for long periods
• Ability to work outdoors in urban environments and inclement weather
• Ability to work overtime as needed
• Strong communication skills, professionalism, and situational awareness
• Willingness to listen, learn, and adapt to site-specific expectations

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a public garden, cultural institution, or similar client-facing environment preferred
• Experience operating landscape power equipment preferred

Responsibilities

• Independently maintain garden beds, planting areas, and landscape features to PHS standards
• Plan and sequence daily work activities to maintain site quality while accommodating scheduled and unscheduled venue needs
• Serve as a professional on-site representative of PHS while interacting with Highmark Mann staff and event personnel
• Proactively adjust daily and weekly work plans to accommodate performances, rehearsals, and events
• Observe quiet hours and modify tool use and work methods as required
• Comply with venue-specific safety and security protocols, including those required during events
• Safe operation of handheld power equipment such as string trimmers, backpack blowers, hedge trimmers, and related tools
• Regular and thorough watering of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs, particularly during periods of high heat and drought
• Perform detailed horticultural maintenance including weeding, deadheading, pruning, plant cutbacks, mulching, and invasive species removal
• Prepare planting beds using hand and power tools during seasonal planting efforts
• Load, unload, and transport materials safely on site
• Perform debris removal and general site cleanup
• Monitor plant health and communicate issues such as stress, disease, irrigation concerns, or site conflicts to the Project Manager
• Occasionally assist at other PHS garden sites or work collaboratively with other Landscape Technicians as needed
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

• Paid Sick Leave - Employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours they work. A maximum of 40 sick leave hours may be earned in a calendar year. Sick leave may be used after an employee has worked a minimum of 90 days.
• Paid Holidays/Paid Time Off – May 22nd, Memorial Day, July 3rd & 6th, September 4th, Labor Day, November 25th, November 26th, November 27th
• Educational Opportunities – PHS will reimburse individuals for the cost of conferences and pay them their hourly rates for the day with proof of attendance for both the Woody Plant Conference as well as the Perennial Plant Conference. If you choose not to attend the conference(s), you may take a Paid Time Off Day (maximum of 2 PTO days related to non-attendance at conferences).
• Bonus – Any Landscape Technician working the full (8.5) eight and half month season are eligible to receive a $1,000 retention bonus (via payroll) at the completion of the season. Mid-season hires bonus will be pro-rated based on start date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed