Mow Crew; Gardens & Landscapes​/Seasonal

Mow Crew (Gardens & Landscapes) – Seasonal Employment

Description
Starting in mid‑April and continuing through October, the Gardens & Landscaping department creates, maintains, preserves, and promotes the beauty of the Chautauqua Institution grounds and its diverse habitats and ecosystems. From rain gardens, buffer gardens, and wetlands to more than 50 landscaped gardens and 200+ annual planters, the team works across a 250‑acre campus to foster natural beauty and sustainability.

Compensation
Pay starts at $16.00 per hour, with the potential to increase to $17.50 per hour based on experience and qualifications.

Work Day
This role is physically demanding: candidates must be able to push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds daily and walk for 5+ hours a day in all weather conditions.

• Caring for established lawns by mowing, aerating, removing thatch, and edging around flower beds, walks, and walls.
• Operating walk‑behind push mowers and gas‑powered string trimmers.
• Understanding the limits of mowers and trimmers.
• Keeping equipment clean and free of debris.
• Maintaining equipment by adding oil, replacing trimmer string, and checking mower blades for sharpening.
• Knowing proper procedures for mixing fuel and oil, and determining which equipment requires a fuel mix.
• Cleaning up mowing sites before, during, and after each job (picking up trash, removing grass from sidewalks and buildings).
• Implementing safety procedures required to operate equipment in public areas.
• Interacting with patrons, staff, and team members in a professional and courteous manner.

• Works independently to meet schedule deadlines.
• Performs basic maintenance on the riding mower daily (greasing fittings, cleaning, safety checks).
• Understands lawn conditions that may increase or decrease mowing needs.
• Recognizes signs of disease or insect damage in turf and reports concerns to a supervisor.

Requirements
- Valid driver’s license.
- 1–3 years of prior experience operating large mowing equipment.
- Minimum age of 18 years.

This seasonal position averages 40 hours per week. Typical hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the possibility of evenings, weekends, and holidays. Two schedule options are available:
April to November or June to August.

Living on the Grounds
Employer‑provided housing is not available; applicants should secure independent housing or reside within a commutable distance.

Referral bonus: $500 (less taxes) for active employees who refer a candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90 days (seasonal positions 30 days). Additional benefits include access to the Chautauqua gate pass for free programming and participation in the institution’s 150 Forward strategic plan.

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority. The institution is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.