Team Leader - Horticulture/Landscaping Freeport location 35 hrs per week flex Sats req'd (Jan-Dec year round)

The Horticulture/Landscaping team leader supervises and participates in the work of a crew performing landscaping and horticultural functions, while working a varied schedule (including Saturdays) in sometimes adverse weather conditions. Primarily responsible for our three AHRC Brookville mansion properties. Responsibilities include landscape design/beautification and installation, weekly lawn maintenance, flower bed installations, spring and fall clean-ups, snow removal, and more. Will also assist the Greenhouse in plant maintenance and sales at local Farmer’s Markets. During the off-season, will assist Greenhouse Horticulturist in holiday/seasonal creations and designs.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent and six (6) months of prior related experience required
• Experience with towing a trailer, driving a small dump truck, landscaping maintenance, and some light construction required
• Basic understanding of mechanical and equipment maintenance required
• Good communication skills required
• Ability to read, write and understand the English language at a level that permits them to interact and communicate safely with porters, porters assistants, and other staff members, as well as keep open lines of communication with supervisors and customers
• Must possess and maintain a qualified New York State driver’s license, with a good record, throughout employment

Primary duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Shows attention to detail and effectively communicates with subordinates, peers, and his/her supervisor
• Performs and manages landscape maintenance, beautification and installation tasks primarily at three AHRC Brookville properties and on other properties as needed
• Reports at designated start time to prepare/review the days schedule with the Wheatley Farms Landscaping Supervisor and prepare for the day
• During off-season, assists Greenhouse Horticulturist in basic Holiday/seasonal creations & design
• Assists in sales at seasonal Farmer’s Markets as needed
• Loads/fills gas cans, mowers, tools and necessary equipment. Secures all equipment
• Checks truck oil, fluids, tire pressure, proper trailer connection, and all lights are in working condition
• Able to identify common weeds, insects and diseases
• Applies basic plant knowledge, identification, and care in maintaining the landscape
• Works in conjunction with the Wheatley Farms Landscaping Supervisor to ensure assignments required are performed efficiently and according to contract specifications
• Manages and perform all tasks of daily grounds maintenance including, but not limited to, mowing, string trimming, edging, and blowing of curbs, lots, driveways, sidewalks, steps and patios
• Provides “on the job” training of ground maintenance workers/ground maintenance assistants, so they are able to effectively and efficiently perform necessary tasks of all grounds maintenance services required
• Hand pulls weeds as necessary or sprays weed control if certified as an apprentice
• Applies pesticides if certified as an apprentice
• Helps to clean site by removing trash, limbs, rocks, debris, etc
• Prunes shrubs and removes shrub and tree debris
• Reports damaged or broken equipment to Wheatley Farms Landscaping Supervisor
• Oversees proper safety equipment and Personal Protective Equipment usage and practices of the crew
• Communicates customer’s questions or concerns immediately to the Wheatley Farms Landscaping Supervisor
• Unloads/loads equipment and material for the next day, cleans out truck/trailer by removing trash, debris, etc., daily
• Fills trucks, mowers, equipment, and cans with gas in preparation for the next day
• Performs daily maintenance of equipment by cleaning, changing air filters, sharpening and/or changing blades, checking fluid levels, etc
• Must be available to work on weekends and holidays, as needed, for snow removal
• Performs all additional related duties as requested by supervisor and/or administration
• Needs to be available to work on weekends and holidays as needed for snow removal
• Performs all additional related duties as requested by supervisor and/or administration