Assistant Gardener

Job Description

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania – located in the beautiful Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia – is one of America’s oldest arboreta and is seeking a Part Time Assistant Gardener to join our team. This position helps with all aspects of garden and grounds maintenance, working closely with all members of the horticulture department to ensure the highest standards of horticultural excellence. This position reports to the Lead Horticulturist and regularly interacts with guests and volunteers. Occasional weekend work is required.

The ideal candidate will work a seasonal schedule of 20 hours per week in March and December, 40 hours per week in April through November, and 0 hours per week in January and February. This position is classified as part time because this position will average about 30 hours per week over the course of 12 months.

This position pays $16.50-17.91/hour. Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

About Us

Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants, people and place through education, research and horticultural display. Located in the Northwest section of the city, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. Morris Arboretum is a hub for botany, horticulture and urban forestry and a special part of Penn.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties

• Assist with all garden tasks including but not limited to weeding, pruning, planting, mulching and turf care.
• Learn to properly identify weeds and implement control methods.
• Work with horticulture team members to mow and string trim the Arboretum on a weekly basis during the growing season.
• Assist with leaf clean-up in the fall.
• Occasionally weekends on a rotating schedule.
• Participate in Horticulture Department Team Day projects.
• Learn to operate the following garden machinery: push mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, snow thrower, golf cart, riding mower, backhoe, tractor, dump truck, and chipper
• Perform additional duties as required.

Education and Experience

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 1-2 years of experience in horticulture work or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Associate Degree or Two-Year College equivalent in Horticulture or related field preferred.
• Be able and willing to communicate with Arboretum visitors.
• Be able and willing to work independently and as part of a team.
• Be able and willing to work in all weather conditions.
• Be able and willing to lift at least 25 lbs.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Additional Information

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

Application Instructions

Please apply directly through the University of Pennsylvania career website: https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/details/Part-Time-Assistant-Gardener–Morris-Arboretum_JR00094554?locationHierarchy1=ac2a3e0e9a8601d927a1c2b648093164