Gardener/Landscape Caretaker PT
George Washington's Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon, VA
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Gardener/Landscape Caretaker Part-Time General Description: The Gardener/Landscape Caretaker is a part-time, non-exempt status position, working within the Historic Preservation and Collections Department under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager for Horticulture ("Senior Manager"). The Landscape Gardener supports the overall mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and the Department to preserve, care for, and interpret the Association's historic, cultural, and natural resources. This person assists horticulture staff in maintaining the landscapes in the historic and non-historic areas of the estate and at the Washington Library. Compensation: starting at $15/hour Expected Hours: 6:30 am -3:00 pm, approximately 4 days or 32 hours/week April-October, approximately 2-3 day or 16-24 hours/week, November-March Essential Functions: * Tasks include: planting, pruning, applying soil amendments, water management, debris removal, weed control, mulching, and applying herbicide to pathways. * Uses current best practices, responsible stewardship, and environmental stewardship when performing the tasks outlined above. * Familiarity with many different plants and their cultural needs, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. * With supervision from certified staff, responsible for assisting with pest control, applying pesticides safely and properly and maintaining proper pesticide records. * Works independently and with minimum supervision, however, certain tasks require individual to work closely with other horticulture staff in a team setting. * Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the Horticulture department and throughout the Estate, with co-workers, management, and volunteers. * Conducts all work in accordance with the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association's procedures and guidelines. * Interacts positively with visitors, answering questions and giving directions. * Operates a variety of power equipment such as mowers, blowers, and trimmers. * Maintains weekly records of work activities for monthly reports. * Practices and maintains safety standards and procedures in all work areas. * Performs other related duties as requested by immediate supervisor and carries out the completion of special assignments. * This position is classified as essential and the incumbent must be able to participate in ice and snow removal as well as storm damage clean-up as needed. Qualifications: * A minimum of two years of hands-on, relevant horticultural work experience is required, with experience at public gardens a plus. * Strong knowledge of various plants and landscape maintenance techniques, and proficiency in operating various gardening/landscape equipment such as hand tools, string trimmers, mowers, blowers, and backpack sprayers. * Valid driver's license. * Must communicate effectively and enjoy and feel comfortable interacting with visitors and answering questions. * Ability to perform strenuous work in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme high and low temperatures. * Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending stooping, squatting, kneeling, and the ability to navigate uneven terrain. * The incumbent will frequently handle objects weighing up to 30 pounds (occasionally 50 pounds) unassisted. On a regular basis, drag, lift and carry heavy debris and watering hoses and load or unload heavy items from powered and hand operated carts. * Virginia pesticide technician or applicator's certification a plus. * Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with Google Earth Pro or ArcGIS, to assist with mapping and documenting important landscape features, is a plus. * Must be available to work occasional evenings, weekends and holidays. Benefits: * 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching * Employee recognition at 5 years of service * Monthly employee events * Employee referral program * Flexible work schedule * On-site Library * Discount on Public Event Tickets * Discount in the Mount Vernon Shops * Discount at the Mount Vernon Inn and Food Court Pavilion * Free parking Mount Vernon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Mount Vernon will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Created: 2024-10-01