Mounts Botanical Garden - Gardener Groundskeeper

Job Description

Job DescriptionGENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Gardener/Groundskeeper plays an essential role in supporting the horticulture team and various areas of Mounts Botanical Garden’s (MBG) operations. This position performs a variety of manual labor tasks, including routine and repetitive maintenance, horticultural care, and event preparation. Work is performed independently under the guidance of the Horticulture Supervisor and in coordination with other team members. The Gardener/Groundskeeper actively supports and promotes MBG’s mission to inspire and educate through nature.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Horticultural Maintenance

• Perform garden maintenance, including weeding, fertilizing, pruning, raking, deadheading, planting, spreading mulch, sand, and gravel, removing invasive species (including manual vegetation control), and trash/debris removal.
• Conduct preventative maintenance on assigned tools and equipment.
• Operate and maintain hand-held power tools and related horticultural equipment.

Groundskeeping

• Perform daily appearance and safety maintenance of the property to prepare for the Garden’s public opening and closing hours.
• Turn on and monitor electrical and water features; lock and unlock doors and gates; set and deactivate alarm systems.
• Work independently and adhere to shift schedules and assigned task lists from the supervisor, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, without direct supervision.
• Follow established policies for guest safety and security, including maintaining clear walkways, signage, and hazard prevention.
• Understand and utilize communication channels to report issues and contact emergency personnel when necessary.
• Regularly remove garbage and waste from the Garden grounds and maintenance shop.

Support for Projects & Events

• Assist with special projects and special event set-up and clean-up.
• Provide logistical and physical support to ensure smooth event operations.

Public & Team Interaction

• Interact courteously and professionally with the public, volunteers, and garden staff.
• Work in areas accessed by a variety of garden user groups and the general public.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Assist with limited office work, inventory management, and related minor administrative duties.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of plants and their growing requirements.
• Basic mechanical skills and manual dexterity.
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance processes, techniques, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of hand-held power tools and related maintenance equipment.
• Ability to adhere to and promote safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to multitask and handle frequent interruptions.
• Ability to safely operate equipment and machinery necessary to perform assigned tasks.
• Effective communication and listening skills to follow instructions and interact with team members and the public.

Position Requirements

• Ability to walk, talk, see, and hear, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to pull, push, climb, stand, bend, and stoop for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work in a moderately loud environment.
• May be exposed to traffic, fumes, chemicals, flying debris, or noise.
• Required to provide and wear leather, steel-toed, or equivalent protective footwear, and other personal protective equipment as assigned.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and provide weather-related gear (e.g., rain gear, coat).
• Must provide and wear appropriate base work clothing, including pants/shorts, undergarments, socks, and protective footwear; some tasks require a long-sleeved shirt.
• Branded Garden apparel, including shirts and overshirts, will be provided and is required to be always worn while on duty to maintain a professional and consistent appearance.
• Dressier work attire may be required for special events as directed by the supervisor.
• Must be available to work special events outside of normal working hours occasionally.
• Valid Florida driver’s license required for operation of garden vehicles and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Primarily outdoor work in varied weather conditions.
• Physical demands include lifting, bending, standing, stooping, climbing, and carrying heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.)
• Exposure to outdoor environmental conditions, chemicals, machinery, noise, and occasional vehicular traffic.
• Personal protective equipment, including steel-toed footwear, is required.
• Frequent interaction with guests, volunteers, and vendors in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays for events and seasonal operations.

HOURS OF POSITION

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
• Hourly / Non-Exempt.
• Wednesday through Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Requires occasional availability for evenings, weekends, and special events as needed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire.
• Completion of reference checks required.
• Completion of a criminal background check before employment is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact jmay@mounts.org. You may send a resume or letter of interest to that address or call 561-233-1751 for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who are authorized to work in the United States, regardless of citizenship status.