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 - $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, 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 constituencies.   

• 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.  

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

• Preferred: 

• A bachelor's degree or associate degree in horticulture, botany or related field desirable. 

• Pesticide Applicator’s License preferred. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• 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. 

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront. 

• 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.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.