Landscape Technician Meadowbrook Farm

Meadowbrook Farm Landscape Technician

Organization: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia, PA

Compensation: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Schedule: March October

40 hours per week

Monday-Friday

8:00 am - 4:30 pm with a 30 minute unpaid lunch (can be adjusted for seasonal temperatures)

Department: Meadowbrook Farm

Summary: Meadowbrook Farm is looking for a full-time seasonal Landscape Technician to work with our gardening team providing quality horticultural care and maintenance. A Landscape Technician will perform general grounds and landscape maintenance duties, garden installation, and greenhouse care.

Working Conditions / Demands: This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate power tools and equipment safely. The role requires the ability to perform tasks as directed by the Head Gardener that may be repetitive and mundane in nature, such as weeding beds, perennial/annual cutbacks, edging beds, mulching, leaf clean-up, etc. This is a rain or shine position that will require individuals to work during inclement weather as well as through periods of cold and hot weather seasonally. There is NO smoking or vaping permitted at Meadowbrook Farm.

This position will help ensure that the property is maintained in a clean and presentable manner aligned with the high standards and image of PHS.

Responsibilities:

• Safe operation of handheld power equipment such as string trimmers, backpack blowers, hedge trimmers, and power augers.
• Ability to safely load and unload materials onsite and into different vehicles.
• Ability to safely perform debris removal and property cleanup.
• Weeding large garden beds as a primary task for a good portion of the season. Repetitive weeding throughout the garden is periodically required all day.
• Preparing planting beds with hand and power tools during the process of planting bulbs, flowers, ground covers, trees, and shrubs; applying mulch as required.
• Greenhouse care such as watering, grooming, weeding, and loading/unloading deliveries.
• Pruning trees, shrubs, vines, and hedges.
• Seasonal leaf removal.
• Performs general bed and landscape maintenance by removing weeds, cutting back annuals/perennials, trimming shrubs, removing invasive species, etc.
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned, including management of non-public spaces and basic care of our vehicles.
• Adhere to all company rules, regulations, safety protocols.
• Maintain a tidy and safe workspace, including our vehicles and storage facilities.
• Clearly and respectfully communicate with colleagues, managers, contractors, and guests.
• Properly follow instructions as provided by Head Gardener, Greenhouse Horticulture Technician, and Gardener.
• Work successfully in a team environment or on your own with direction.
• Enhance our team concept by bringing a strong, positive personality and positive attitude to work each day.
• Punctuality and reliability are day-to-day essentials.

Qualifications:

• Experience working in a public garden or similar setting preferred.
• Must have a valid driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Landscape power equipment operation experience preferred.
• Timeliness and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting from time to time (+/-50 pounds).
• Ability to meet the physical demands of gardening work such as kneeling, bending, squatting, climbing, and standing for long periods of time.
• Ability to be self-directed and work alone when required.
• Ability to work in inclement weather as needed.
• Ability to communicate issues and challenges to managers in a professional manner
• Exhibits interpersonal skills such as maturity, professionalism, reliability, composure, flexibility, integrity and stability to handle daily challenges and fast-paced work environment.
• A willingness to listen and learn.

Benefits:

• Paid Sick Leave - Employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours they work. A maximum of 40 sick leave hours may be earned in a calendar year. Sick leave may be used after an employee has worked a minimum of 90 days.
• Paid Holidays/Paid Time Off May 22 nd and 25 th (Memorial Day holiday), July 3 rd and July 6 th (July 4 th holiday), September 4 th and 7 th (Labor Day holiday).
• Bonus Any Landscape Technician working the full (9) nine-month season are eligible to receive a $1,000 retention bonus (via payroll) at the completion of the season. Mid-season hires bonus will be pro-rated based on start date.

Requirements:

• Uniform shirts, sweat jackets, hoodies will be provided and must be worn on days when Meadowbrook Farm is open to the public
• PHS branded apparel should not be altered in any way, i.e. cutoff sleeves.
• Appropriate footwear should be worn at all times.
• Shorts may be worn but cut-off pants are not permitted.
• Maintain a clean, professional appearance at all times.
• Individual PPE items will be provided, including ear, eye, and hand protection.
• This is primarily a physical labor job. Landscape Technicians are expected to lift, squat, twist, safely and proficiently operate hand tools and gas-powered equipment repeatedly each day. Working at a quick pace is the expectation.

EEO NOTICE: At PHS, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.