Position Description: Professional Gardener
| Department: Garden Maintenance Salary or Hourly Rate: $24 – $30 per hour depending on experience, plus overtime Work Schedule: M-F; April – November: 40-50 hours/wk |
Reports To: Lead Professional Gardener and Garden Maintenance Manager |
| Positions Supervised: n/a | |
| Amount of Travel Required: local travel, 90% |
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Bluebird Gardening is a small business established in 2000, specializing in high-quality landscaping and gardening services throughout the Twin Cities Metro. Garden Maintenance Teams operate seasonally, commencing work in April and concluding in November. This operational schedule is designed to cover the core growing season in Minnesota, ensuring that all garden spaces receive the attention necessary for optimal health, appearance, and vitality throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Our comprehensive services are tailored to meet the specific needs of residential landscapes, ranging from routine upkeep to specialized horticultural tasks. Our teams are essential to the creation and maintenance of the distinctive, beautiful gardens for which Bluebird Gardening is recognized.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Garden Maintenance Professional Gardener is a key role within Bluebird Gardening, working closely with Lead Gardeners and Assistant Gardeners.This full-time, seasonal position (April through November) is responsible for supporting the Lead Gardener in diligently executing comprehensive garden maintenance tasks, and providing a knowledgeable base for the gardening team. The Professional Gardener is career oriented with a focus on skill development and teamwork, and plays an integral role in maintaining a healthy and cohesive work environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions: position may include additional duties as needed
Garden Maintenance Responsibilities
- Work both independently and collaboratively as part of the gardening team to efficiently maintain client gardens, performing tasks that include: weeding, deadheading, transplanting, perennial cut down, and planting, among many other seasonal tasks.
- Adhere to direction from Lead Gardener to ensure Bluebird Gardening’s distinct quality standards are consistently met, and comply with efficient and safe workplace conditions.
- Possess the capacity and commitment to expand gardening and horticultural skills, including seasonal maintenance techniques, landscape design, plant identification, and the proper operation and upkeep of equipment.
- Support Lead Gardeners in the direction and skill development of Assistant Gardeners.
- Operate gas-powered equipment, including leaf blowers, hedge-trimmers, and drills.
- Plant seasonal containers and in-ground annual displays.
- Maintain a clean and orderly work site.
- Communicate and represent Bluebird Gardening professionally while onsite and during travel throughout the metro region.
Miscellaneous Duties
- Communicate any work conflicts or issues promptly to the Lead Gardener or Maintenance Manager.
- Assist in the completion of all required timesheets and reporting documents in a timely manner.
- Ability to lead a team in the absence of a Lead Gardener.
- Contribute and uphold a culture of teamwork, positivity, and continual skill development.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Competencies:
- Garden & landscape maintenance skills involving the identification and comprehensive care of Minnesota perennials, shrubs, & trees.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with management, co-workers, and clients in person or via text and phone
- Ability to take and pass the Pesticide Applicators License exam within 60 days of season start.
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs and fulfill other physical requirements of the job
- Strong organizational & problem-solving skills
- Resilience to working 8-10 hour days outdoors in all weather conditions
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education and Experience: Required: Minimum two years of related professional landscape and/or garden maintenance experience.
Computer Skills: Google Email and Docs; ability to do basic computer skills
Certificates & Licenses: Must have valid driver’s license, and ability to obtain a pesticide applicator license if required.
Other Requirements:
- Gardeners must be punctual and prepared for the day (proper clothing, footwear, food and water).
- Must be able to complete tasks and follow directions with a can-do attitude
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Must be able to contribute to a positive work environment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
| Constantly (5.5+ hrs/day) | Frequently (2.5-5.5+ hrs/day) | Occasionally (0-2.5+ hrs/day) |
| Stand Walk |
Reach outward Reach above the shoulder Handling/Fingering Squat or Kneel Bend |
Crawl Sit |
Lift/Carry: 21-50 lbs
Push/Pull: 26-40 lbs
Other Physical Requirements: must wear closed toe shoes or sandals, work outdoors during inclement weather, ability to travel by car, ability to operate small machinery.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day shifts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in outdoor and shop settings.