Zone Gardener

Job Description

Serves as the primary gardener around the Cathedral and in Olmsted Woods. Responsible for the maintenance and care of ornamental beds, trees, shrubs, and a native woodland, as well as the overall appearance of assigned zone. This is an essential personnel position.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Maintains ornamental beds by mulching, weeding, and clearing area free of litter and leaves. Properly grooms, deadheads, and prunes plants.
Maintains a five-acre native woodland
Recognizes and reports pests and diseases in a timely manner.
Recognizes and reports potential physiological or nutritional problems such as wilting, leaf scorch, or deficiencies of nitrogen, iron, and magnesium.
Recognizes water demands of plant material in assigned areas.
Operates all equipment and tools safely and properly. Return clean tools and equipment to proper place.
Follows proper techniques of soil preparation, plan installation, and pesticide application.
Keeps hardscapes in area blown, edged and clean. Keeps gutters and catch basins clean and free of debris.
Participates in snow removal and safely operate snow removal equipment as needed.
Supervises flex gardeners and occasionally horticulture interns.
Oversees volunteers.
Works with All Hallows Guild (AHG) Garden Committee to preserve & enhance the grounds around the Cathedral and Olmsted Woods.
Represents the PECF Horticulture Staff in professional associations and organizations.
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Three years’ experience in public gardening including landscape and grounds maintenance and/or degree in horticulture or related field preferred.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and safe driving record and be capable of operating pickup trucks and tractors and snow equipment safely.
Successful completion of periodic background checks, including FBI background check, and, at the discretion of the PECF, drug and alcohol screening.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of plant materials, proper maintenance techniques, and horticulture practices.
Understanding of Integrated Pest Management techniques.
Ability to work well within a diverse and multicultural workforce.
Good interpersonal, communication, and literacy skills.
Ability to work as part of a team with little or no supervision.
Ability to operate all types of ground maintenance equipment such as mowers, sprayers, blowers, trimmers, safely.
Consistent and punctual attendance; able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

Normal schedule is Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Must have a flexible schedule, as work priorities will shift.
Must be able to work required overtime, often with little notice (e.g., snow removal, storm damage). Scheduled overtime includes annual events.
Must be able to work outside in inclement weather including extreme cold and heat, high winds, rain, and snow.
Must be able to perform physical work including standing, bending, walking, stooping and reaching, twisting, turning, and kneeling. Must be able to work on feet for extended periods of time and to lift, carry, and push at least 50 lbs.

Salary Description
$24-$26/Hour

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should visit pecf.org. Click on Employment, Opportunities – scroll down to “Click here for PECF Opportunities” to apply. EOE