Grounds Assistant

Opportunity:

The Horticulture & Collections department seeks a Grounds Assistant to help with installing, maintaining and caring for gardens, grounds, lawns, seasonal displays, interiors, walkways and service areas at the Cleveland Botanical Garden to ensure living collections plants are grown under optimal conditions and displayed to their best potential, for maximized guest experience.

The Grounds Assistant is an essential part of the Horticulture & Collections team at CBG working with Horticulturists, Animal Care Specialists, interns, seasonal workers, and volunteers to support the many programs across a variety of departments with exhibitions and events held year-round. The Grounds Assistant will interact with guests to share general plant knowledge. This position is based out of the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH occasional travel to the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH. We are looking for a team member who wants to do meaningful work in an organization that values diversity of thoughts and perspectives. Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong.

Position Details:

• Non-Exempt position
• Full-Time, 40 hours a week guaranteed
  • ​Sunday through Thursday weekly
  • 7:30 am start time 
• $15.00/hour
• Great entry level position for anyone looking for work to gain experience in natural sciences, horticulture or arboriculture or to gain general experience in the green industry

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities of the Grounds Assistant include but are not limited to: 

• Supports Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
• Contributes to bed preparation including, but not limited to, soil improvement, planting, watering, fertilizing, pest and disease control, bed renovation, mulching, weeding, and edging
• Mows and cares for grass and turfed areas according to sustainable horticulture practices
• Ensures walkways and paths are clear for guests and event attendees through participation in leaf, ice, and snow removal
• Works closely with volunteers and interns to implement maintenance practices that meet or surpass the horticultural and landscaping standards of HF&G
• Application of chemical, organic, and natural sprays will be required following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in accordance with the law including maintaining operational and pesticide records
• Assists the Curatorial team by labeling plants on the grounds
• Maintains a safe and productive working environment for staff and visitors
• Interacts regularly with guests, members, and the public positively to create a welcoming atmosphere
• Safely operates a variety of machinery and equipment, including but not limited to, motorized utility carts, tractors with bucket loader, trucks, chippers, snow blowers, pruners, hand shears and saws, pole pruners, string trimmers, sprayers, leaf blowers, wheelbarrows, push and riding mowers
• Inspects and maintains small equipment to ensure safe operating condition, i.e., sharpening tools, mixing fuel, and checking fluid levels
• Monitors, adjusts, and repairs irrigation system
• Takes direction and follows through with assignments and works well independently
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
• High school diploma or equivalent, required
• At least 1 year work experience in public horticulture, gardens, or landscaping, required
• Undergraduate degree in Horticulture, Botany, or related field of study, preferred
• Participate and work effectively independently and on multi-disciplinary team
• positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to plan and communicate requests to a team
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
• Maintain a valid driver's license and possess an acceptable driver’s record

Physical Requirements

• Willing and able to operate power equipment and perform strenuous, hands-on work year-round in all types of weather conditions
• Working outdoors or indoors where the ambient temperature spans subzero to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, performing required tasks in all weather conditions
• Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven, or rocky
• Effective vision, hearing, hand, and arm dexterity
• Operating a variety of machinery and equipment including utility vehicles, pruners, shears, string trimmers, sprayers, blowers and push and riding mowers
• Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing and lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk an average of 3-5 miles per day in variable terrain; occasionally more