Full-Time Estate Gardener
Employment Type
Job (Full-Time)Job Categories
Horticulture
Job Description
A private residential property in the Philadelphia area is seeking a skilled, full-time Estate Gardener dedicated to maintaining and evolving the property’s gardens, landscapes, and a newly established meadow planting, to the highest standards of horticultural excellence.
This is a hands-on position for someone who takes genuine pride in their craft and works well independently. Day-to-day, you’ll manage your own work on the property and exercise your own judgment in the gardens. A significant focus of this role is the ongoing establishment and care of a new meadow planting — a multi-year project requiring patience, plant ID skills, and a methodical approach to invasive control and native plant establishment.
You’ll also collaborate regularly with the landscape contractors, landscape architects, and other property staff to ensure cohesive care and ongoing development of the estate.
Duties & Responsibilities
– Maintain and evolve gardens, landscapes, and meadow plantings to the highest horticultural standards
– Lead the ongoing establishment of a new meadow, including invasive species identification and management, plug planting and overseeding, monitoring native plant establishment, and timed mowing during the establishment period
– Perform a full range of gardening tasks, including weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, and ongoing bed maintenance
– Monitor plant health and contribute to seasonal planning and garden development
– Work independently on daily tasks while coordinating with landscape contractors, landscape architects, and other property staff on broader projects and property priorities
Education and Experience
**Qualifications**
– Approximately 3 years of professional gardening or horticulture experience
– Demonstrated experience establishing or maintaining meadow or naturalistic plantings, with strong familiarity with regional native plants and common invasives
– Strong plant knowledge and proven hands-on garden skills
– Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and exercise sound horticultural judgment
– Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate professionally with contractors, designers, and other staff
– Valid driver’s license (required)
**Physical Requirements**
– Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures
– Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform sustained physical work, including bending, kneeling, walking, and standing for extended periods
**Pre-Employment Requirements**
This is a position of trust on a private residential property. The following are required:
– Successful completion of a background check (criminal history and driving record)
– Verifiable employment references
– Signed confidentiality agreement covering the property, household, and all related information
Discretion and professionalism are essential. Photography, social media posts, or any sharing of information about the property or household are strictly prohibited.
Additional Information
**Compensation & Schedule**
– Salary commensurate with experience
– Full-time, year-round — 40 hours/week
**Paid Time Off**
– 10 vacation days in year 1, increasing to 15 days at year 3
– 5 paid sick days
– 7 paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day)
– Approximately 22 total paid days off per year
– Vacation requires 30 days’ advance notice and is subject to scheduling around property events
– Holiday work, if requested for special events, is compensated at time-and-a-half
Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and a brief note describing your gardening background, your experience with meadow establishment or naturalistic plantings, and what draws you to estate work.
