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, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $21

Hours per week: 24

Job Classification: Seasonal, non-exempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: April- November 

Location: Armstong Kelley Park, Osterville, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Armstrong-Kelley Park is an 8.5 acre garden and woodland oasis in Osterville, Massachusetts with a varied terrain which includes woodland trails, unusual trees, annual and perennial borders, and small ornamental water garden. In Spring 2020, The Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS), which has owned and maintained Armstrong-Kelley Park for nearly 100 years, approved a plan to be integrated into The Trustees. Through this integration, which became official in the Fall of 2021, this treasured community resource is now a Trustees reservation, and its 12th public garden. A new master plan has been developed for the park and will bring new plantings, improved access and parking, and new garden features in the next two years. As the Fine Gardener, you will play an important role in maintaining vibrant new plantings in this exciting time of change in the park.    

The Role:

As the Seasonal Fine Gardener, you will report to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist and bring hands-on technical skills to Armstrong-Kelley Park, 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. As an energetic, positive individual, you will bring your professional gardening talent to the care of the gardens, assist with living collections management, and implement best practices established under the leadership of the Horticulturist.  This is a seasonal, part-time position. 

Specifically, you’ll:

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

• Support stewardship team in water garden maintenance by conducting a weekly backwash of the system, monitoring water levels and filling pond if necessary.                                        

• Positively motivate and oversee our Thursday volunteer group in the gardens.                                                                                                 

• Maintains garden infrastructure including irrigation system, pathways, playground structure and general garden trash clean up.                                                                                                

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

• Works as part of a team to collaborate with engagement staff and stewardship staff.                                                                            

• Abides by the policies and best practices to guide great garden design and exceptional horticultural standards in balance with their natural surroundings and historic integrity.  
• Checks 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 seasonal, non-exempt position working 24 hours/week reporting directly to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist.  

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 1-3 years of related work experience 

• Minimum of 1-3 years of supervisory experience  

• Preferred Two-year Associate degree in horticulture or related field of study required. Certificate in horticulture accepted with experience in professional estate gardening or bachelor’s degree  

• Pesticide Applicator’s License preferred.   

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

• A strong record of public garden or estate garden maintenance.   

• 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, cataloguing, stewardship and applied practice.  

• Ability to inspire confidence and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the organization including staff, volunteers and diverse public visitors.   

• A proven, passionate commitment to the values, mission and purposes represented by The Trustees.  

• Able to handle the physical demands of the job including routinely climbing a ladder, lifting loads up to 40 pounds, and working outside in all weather conditions.  

• Significant experience using hand and power tools and ability to repair and maintain equipment.  

• Experience supervising staff, interns and/or volunteers. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Able to work some nights and weekends to prepare for special events or to ensure the safety of the public.   

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed] 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and able to push and pull items 

• Comfortable with exposure to environmental elements like heat, cold, chemicals, and others 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. 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.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns. 

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.