Landscape Technician

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Gardens and Landscapes Team is looking for full-time seasonal Landscape Technicians to work with our gardening team providing quality horticultural care and maintenance across a variety of garden sites in Philadelphia.

Technicians will work as part of a core team performing all aspects of gardening and horticulture at some of the most prominent and visible gardens in the city, such as The Philadelphia Navy Yard, Logan Square, Rodin Museum, Philadelphia Art Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, and The Delaware River Waterfront. A Landscape Technician will perform general grounds and landscape maintenance duties along with garden installation and renovation/maintenance type work in support of the Public Gardens and Landscapes team.

This position will help ensure properties remain maintained in a clean and presentable manner aligned with the high standards and image of PHS. This role requires maintaining properties throughout the City of Philadelphia.

Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
• Landscape power equipment operation experience preferred
• 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 be self-directed and work alone when required
• 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.
• 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 or similar setting, preferred but not required

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.
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned, including watering.
• 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.
• Properly follow instructions as provided by both Head Gardeners and Project Managers.
• Work successfully in a team environment or on your own with direction.
• 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).
• 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