Groundskeeper

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Groundskeeper will ensure both Friendship Garden and The Whiteside Garden are held to excellent horticultural and aesthetic expectations. Typical day-to-day operations include, path improvements, maintenance, basic repairs, invasive/nuisance species removal, mowing, weeding, mulching, seedling care, transplanting, watering, weedeating, and similar. This position is a year-round, permanent position with an average of 30 hours per week. Schedule and work is weather dependent.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIMARY DUTIES

• Maintain, clean, and organize tools and equipment
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance of buildings and parking lots
• Perform grounds maintenance (brush cutting, mowing, and snow removal)
• Assist with tree removal and cleanup
• Ensure trails and amenities are maintained, clean, safe, and cared for
• Perform basic repairs of buildings, amenities, and garden features
• Maintain individual garden beds (weeding, mulching, debris removal, etc.)
• Weed, treat, and remove invasive and nuisance plant species (bush honeysuckle, etc.)
• Care for plants as needed (watering, pruning, deadheading, pruning, fertilizing)
• Monitor and treat plants for disease management, pest management, etc.
• Propagate plants using, layering, transplanting, potting, or other methods
• Provide specialty plant or garden care (bog garden, cacti bed, houseplants, etc.)
• Landscape and plant annual and perennial garden beds
• Maintain accurate plant and garden records (plant database, plant signs, etc.)

SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Identify and care for the vast flora of a botanical garden and arboretum (or willing to learn)
• Ability to walk, bend, stand, stoop, pull, push, kneel, squat, and other vigorous physical movements over uneven terrain for long periods of time
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Work outside in all types of weather and be work outside the majority of the workday
• Must be able to operate (or learn to operate) a truck, trailer, chainsaw, brush cutter, ATV, lawnmower, tiller, leaf blower, and various other tools
• Ability to interpret garden history and projects to create meaningful guest experiences
• Ability to communicate, interact, and respect diverse audiences and perspectives
• Work independently and organize time efficiently
• Ability to delegate, lead, and organize diverse groups of volunteers or interns
• Establish rapport with professional societies, agencies, experts, etc
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and evenings
• Represent the Douglas-Hart Foundation in a professional manner

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with daily operations of the Foundation, including but not limited to clerical duties, opening and closing of facilities, gift shop, communications, assisting guests, and similar in a timely and professional manner.
• Attend staff and committee meetings
• Support and assist all Foundation activities including fundraising efforts, membership activities, special events, programs, conservation actions, and similar
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Horticulturalist

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of an associate’s degree in horticulture, botany, biology, or plant-related field OR
• Relative work experience at a garden, nursery, botanical garden, arboretum, landscaping company, park district, recreation facility, or similar
• Must possess a valid driver’s license

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Salary Range: $15-$17 per hour
• 3% matching 401K after the enrollment period
• PTO
• Paid professional development opportunities
• And more!

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please send a resume to the Executive Director at .

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Horticulturalist. This position is subject to change as the future needs of the Douglas-Hart Foundation require.

The Douglas-Hart Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which employment is based on qualifications, merit, and business needs and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, family, national origin, military service, or citizenship.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 28 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off

Ability to Relocate:

• Charleston, IL 61920: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $17