Assistant Landscape Horticulturist

Location: Mount Vernon, VA

Job : 910

# of Openings: 1

The Assistant Landscape Horticulturist is a part-time, non-exempt status position, working within the Horticulture Department under the direct supervision of the Landscape Horticulture Supervisor “Supervisor”. The Assistant Landscape Horticulturist 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, including the George Washington Library.

Starting at $17/hour

6:30 am – 3:00 pm, approximately 4-5 days a week, March-October, approximately 1-3 days
November – February

• Tasks include: planting, pruning, applying soil amendments, water management, debris removal, weed control, mulching, and properly applying herbicides/pesticides as needed.
• Proficiency in operating various gardening/landscape equipment such as hand tools, string trimmers, mowers, blowers, and backpack sprayers.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 the 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.

• A minimum of two years of hands-on, relevant horticultural work experience is required, with experience at public gardens a plus.
• 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 or must obtain within 6 months of start date.
• Must be available to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Valid driver’s license.

This role is performed entirely outdoors and is subject to a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity. Exposure to pollen, dust, and various plant materials is common. The environment may be noisy due to equipment use.

The employee must be able to stand, walk, bend, crouch, push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds regularly. Use of hands and arms to operate landscaping tools and machinery is required. The role involves repetitive tasks and physical exertion throughout the day.

• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee recognition at 5 years of service
• Monthly employee events
• Employee referral program
• On-site Library
• Discount on Public Event Tickets
• Discount in the Mount Vernon Shops
• Discount at the Mount Vernon Inn and Food Court Pavilion
• Fre…