Highmark Mann Landscape Technician

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Philadelphia, PA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Gardens and Landscapes Team is seeking a full-time seasonal Landscape Technician to support daily horticultural care and maintenance at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts. This is a team-based position working alongside the Highmark Mann Gardener, with daily direction provided by the assigned PHS Project Manager. The role involves standard grounds and landscape maintenance work in a high-profile, client-facing setting that requires professionalism and a positive attitude. This position will help ensure the site remains maintained in a clean and presentable manner aligned with the high standards and image of PHS and the expectations of the Highmark Mann client.

Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
• Timeliness and organizational skills
• Ability to perform heavy lifting from time to time (+/-50 pounds)
• Ability to meet the physical demands of gardening work such as kneeling, bending, squatting, climbing, and standing for long periods of time
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a small team and take direction effectively
• Ability to work outdoors in urban environments
• Ability to work in inclement weather as needed
• Ability to work overtime on as needed basis
• Ability to understand that some required jobs are more mundane and more difficult than others but still able to perform each one with the same positive attitude
• Ability to communicate issues and challenges to managers in a professional manner
• Exhibits interpersonal skills such as maturity, professionalism, reliability, composure, flexibility, integrity and stability to handle daily challenges and fast-paced work environment
• A willingness to listen and learn
• Uniform shirts, sweat jackets, hoodies will be provided and must be worn externally facing while on PHS Sites
• PHS branded apparel should not be altered in any way, i.e. cutoff sleeves
• Sturdy work boots with non-slip soles are required to be worn at all times. (No sneakers or sandals)
• Shorts may be worn but cut-off pants are not permitted
• Maintain a clean, professional appearance at all times
• Ear, eye, and hand protection will be provided
• Individual PPE items can be purchased at your cost as long as they meet the required A.N.S.I. standards and will not be reimbursed
• This is primarily a physical labor job. Landscape Technicians are expected to lift, squat, twist, safely and proficiently operate hand tools and gas-powered equipment repeatedly each day. Working at a quick pace is the expectation.
• Be prepared each day with enough water for the day and other provisions, we recommend at least a half-gallon water bottle. Some sites do not have easy access to water or places to purchase food.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a public garden, cultural institution, or client-facing environment preferred but not required
• Landscape power equipment operation experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Safe operation of handheld power equipment such as string trimmers, backpack blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and power augers
• Ability to safely load and unload materials onsite and into different vehicles
• Ability to safely perform debris removal and property cleanup
• Weeding large garden beds across multiple accounts as a primary task for a good portion of the season. Repetitive weeding in full sun areas around heavy traffic is often required all day
• Preparing planting beds with hand and power tools during the process of planting bulbs, flowers, ground covers, trees, and shrubs; applies mulch as required
• Plant nursery care such as watering, grooming, receiving deliveries, and organization of plant material designated for garden sites
• Pruning trees, shrubs, vines, and hedges; rakes leaves
• Performs general bed and landscape maintenance by removing weeds, cutting back annuals/perennials, trimming shrubs, removing invasive species, etc
• Regular and thorough watering of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs across the site; watering is a primary daily task throughout the season, particularly during periods of high heat and drought, and is coordinated with the Highmark Mann Gardener to ensure complete coverage
• Adhere to all company rules, regulations, safety protocols
• Maintain a tidy and safe workspace whether it be the jobsite, company vehicle or storage facilities
• Clearly and respectfully communicate with colleagues, clients, and the public
• Work successfully as part of a team, taking direction from the Project Manager and Highmark Mann Gardener
• Always maintain a professional demeanor
• Enhance our team concept by bringing a strong, positive personality and positive attitude to work each day
• Punctuality and reliability are day-to-day essentials

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).
• $1,000 retention bonus (via payroll) at the completion of the season for those working the full 8.5-month 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