Gardener

Job Description

Performs professional gardening & maintenance duties at Hershey Gardens, under the direction of the Director of Horticultural Operations.

About Us

Hershey Gardens opened in 1937 with Milton Hershey’s request to “create a nice garden of roses.” More than 85 years later, the small rose garden has blossomed into 23 acres of botanical beauty providing visitors with unique experiences and enriching opportunities.

Overlooking the town of Hershey, Hershey Gardens features a breathtaking assortment of flowers and shrubs, a stately collection of rare, signature trees, and various programs designed to delight visitors of all ages.

Hershey Gardens is an operating division of The M.S. Hershey Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

Performs professional gardening duties as a primary task, as weather and schedule permits, which includes reporting to work for snow removal operations as required.
Duties include but are not limited to trash collection, weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, fertilizing, mowing grass, trimming and snow removal.
Performs all facets of gardening/maintenance tasks at Hershey Gardens as well as other The M.S. Hershey Foundation entities, if required, as directed by the Director of Horticultural Operations or Grounds Foreman.

Oversees and works with volunteer gardening staff, interns and students in the absence of the Director of Horticultural Operations or Gardens Foreman.
Works with other staff, advisory board members, Foundation staff and outside professionals at Hershey Gardens and Foundation entities.
Works with Director of Horticultural Operations, Grounds Foreman, fellow staff and outside professionals to assist in identifying, correcting and preventing problem areas, in all aspects of Hershey Gardens.
Reports possible leads, options and procedures to further enhance, save time, material and cost related to all aspects of the Hershey Gardens to the Director of Horticultural Operations.

Adheres to, and supports Hershey Gardens’ compliance with all State, Federal and Local laws and policies.
As a full-time staff member, ensures the Safety, Health and Welfare of all Guests, Personnel, Interns, Students, Board Members and Visitors on the property in accordance with Hershey Garden’s crisis manual.

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Documented training in horticulture, related studies, or a minimum of two (2) years of work in horticulture, at a professional level. Continuing education courses in horticulture or a related field helpful.

Additional Information

• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Willing and able to test and successfully obtain a Pennsylvania Commercial or Private Applicators license, if required by the Director of Horticultural Operations to perform duties.
• Demonstrated basic skills in oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently represent Hershey Gardens and The M.S. Hershey Foundation in a positive, professional manor.
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties professionally under public situations.
• Need to be able to move between Foundation and entities.
• Occasional need to help with the set-up or tear-down of activities.
• Work will be performed in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments and weather conditions.
• Requires physical effort including lifting up to 50 pounds and extended periods of standing or walking.
• Must be able to operate various garden-related machinery and equipment including snow removal equipment.
• This position requires criminal history background checks in addition to child abuse background checks as a condition of employment.

Starting Salary $17/hour
Sweet perks include a benefits program to choose among medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, partially funded HSA, and a robust 403(b) savings plan.
Admission to Foundation operating divisions with additional community discounts are also included.

Application Instructions

Apply online at https://www.hersheygardens.org/employment/