Seasonal Fine Gardener

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation's premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees' preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do.

We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website,(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $21 - $23

Hours per week: 12

Job Classification:
Nonexempt, Seasonal or Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration:
April - November

Location:

Haskell Public Gardens, New Bedford, MA

What You'll Do:

Your Impact:

The Allen

C. Haskell Public Gardens showcases great plant collections, outstanding landscape, and garden designs. In his lifetime, Allen Haskell pursued the rare, the unusual and the newest cultivars available from around the world. Under the care and stewardship of the Senior Horticulturist, the six-acre garden is open and free to the public every day of the year. It is an actively used community resource for the city of New Bedford.

The Role:

As a Seasonal Fine Gardener, you will report to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist and brings hands-on technical skills to Allen

C. Haskell Public Gardens, providing a high level of care for the landscape and gardens, leading volunteers in exceptional standards of garden maintenance, and interacting with visitors, members, and donors in an open, engaging manner. This energetic, positive individual will bring their professional gardening talent to the care of the gardens, assist with living collections management, and implement best practices established under the leadership of the Senior Horticulturist.

This is a seasonal, part-time position.

Specifically, you'll:

• Work independently to perform all duties associated with installation, maintenance and care of permanent and seasonal plantings, including perennial and shrub borders, tree care, and pathways. This includes planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning and staking.

• Positively motivate Wednesday volunteer group in the maintenance, installation and care of plant collections with careful attention to planting plans, record keeping, and proper plant identification.

• Manage and maintain garden infrastructure including irrigation system, pathways, water feature, pond, and general garden trash clean up.

• Interact with the public in a positive, cheerful manner.

• Collaborate with engagement staff, stewardship staff, and consultants on the execution of garden and landscape construction, installation and care of new plantings, provides inspiration and technical advice for programs, and occasionally leads garden tours.

• Abide by the policies and best practices to guide great garden design and exceptional horticultural standards in balance with their natural surroundings and historic integrity.

• Check in frequently with Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist and communicates efficiently and effectively via all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook 365, Teams), garden design drawings, phone calls, text messages, and in-person meetings.

This is a limited term, nonexempt position, 12 hours/week, reporting directly to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist.

Requirements

What You'll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required:

• A high school diploma or GED.

• Three or more years of hands-on experience and an employment history that shows increasing responsibilities in the public garden field.

• Knowledge or experience in the following areas: arboriculture, perennials, annual displays, woody plant care, pruning and other technical gardening skills.

• Demonstrated knowledge of horticultural care and conservation,…