Landscaping & Horticultural Steward

Who We Are

The Trustees of Reservations is Massachusetts' premier conservation and preservation organization founded in 1891 by volunteers. The Trustees preserves properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value for public use and enjoyment. Our properties are open to all, and we involve as many people as possible in our work. We aim to protect special places for future generations and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations open to the public.

As a nonprofit conservation organization, we are funded and supported by visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 member households. More information is available on our website trustees.org.

Salary/Hourly Rate: $18 – $20 per hour

Hours per week: 24 hours per week in April and November; 40 hours per week May through October

Job Classification:
Hourly, Part-Time, Limited term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration:
April – November 25

Location:

Work across three properties:
Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, de Cordova Sculpture Park & Museum in Lincoln, and Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough

Your Impact:
Our Stewardship Staff play an integral role in ensuring visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. With warmer temperatures, we welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. There are many ways for visitors to discover The Trustees, and many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

The Role:

The Steward will care for the grounds, flowers, beds, shrubs, and trees at two primary sites and possibly assist at other sites in the Metrowest region.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Perform routine and non-routine maintenance of landscapes, mowing and trimming lawns, fields, and along stone walls; care for and weeding of flower beds; tree and shrub care; brush and invasive plant removal.
• Maintain and inspect parking areas, trails, and other visitor areas.
• Maintain and clean buildings, bathrooms, structures, and infrastructure; basic carpentry and painting tasks may be required.
• Clean and perform routine maintenance and repairs to equipment and tools.
• Remove trash and litter from reservations.
• May work with and lead volunteers and other seasonal staff.
• Represent The Trustees in accordance with messages from the Education and Engagement department; maintain professional comportment with colleagues, visitors, and volunteers.
• Always wear a Trustees-provided uniform.
• Perform tasks safely and in accordance with The Trustees safety manual.
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

This is a seasonal, limited-term, hourly position working up to 40 hours per week May through October (24 hours per week in April and November), reporting directly to the Property Stewardship Manager.

Skills and Experience:

• One year of experience with landscape, grounds, and/or park maintenance preferred.
• Experience working independently and with others; good attention to detail.
• Comfortable using hand tools and operating landscaping equipment (e.g., lawn mowers, brush saws, leaf blowers).
• Experience working with and leading volunteers or staff is preferred.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record per The Trustees’ driving policy.
• Background check (CORI) satisfactory.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Contact our People team at info.

• Sick time:
  Prorated by length of service
• Vacation time:
  Prorated by employee status
• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 holidays (12 observed holidays; 3 floating); eligible for holiday compensation if the holiday falls on a day regularly scheduled to work
• Health insurance:
  Eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via BCBS; includes fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program:
  Free confidential support for personal and work-related issues
• Reciprocity:
  Free/discounted admission and membership to museums and cultural institutions
• Discounts:
  Free entry to Trustees properties, discounted event tickets, and store merchandise discounts

The Trustees is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on protected status. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the People team at people.