Signature Garden Lead (Seasonal)

The Four Star Signature Display Garden is a 1.5-acre garden in Carleton, MI dedicated to displaying the garden performance of the #1 plant brand in the US, Proven Winners. Our garden is a living catalog of our plants, created to show any visitor how to be successful in their gardens at home.

Our Crew Leader position will function as the daily leader for the garden crew, providing a positive example and providing the mentorship that allows each crew member to safely, efficiently and successfully complete all daily assignments. Our Crew Leader will work side by side with the crew.

This is an entry level crew leader role. The successful candidate will not only have some landscape experience but will either have leadership experience or will demonstrate the capability and leadership philosophy that matches our values to lead a small crew of 2-3 people.

If you have landscape experience and aspire to be a leader, we encourage you to apply.

This position starts at $17.50 per hour for the entry level candidate and may increase depending upon relevant skills and experience.

This is a seasonal full-time position running from late April through mid-November. There is an opportunity to work the rest of the year as a Section Grower, please visit our website at https://pwfourstar.com/resources/employment-opportunities to view the details for that position.

PROGRESSION OF SUPERVISORS: Signature Display Garden Supervisor, Senior Manager of Greenhouse Operations, CEO, Vice-President, President

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for installation and maintenance of Four Star’s Signature Display Gardens and other landscape areas as assigned, leading a crew of 2-3 people. Serve as leader, mentor, and best working example for other crew members. Engage all members of the team in a manner that creates a productive, enjoyable, inspiring, and open culture. Establish and maintain a level of morale among employees that results in the highest level of service and productivity possible while earning and maintaining everyone’s trust and respect. Lead, and mentor Signature Garden Crew members so that they have both the capability and the expertise to perform all assigned functions correctly and efficiently. Function as a Garden Crew member. Support Four Star Greenhouse’s Mission Statement in all job-related functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Perform the job responsibilities listed in the Signature Garden Crew job description.

2. Lead crew members in installation and daily maintenance to achieve the owners’ and designer’s vision for the display gardens. Daily tasks include but are not limited to:

a. Pruning, watering, fertilizing, weeding, & basic garden maintenance

b. Planting, hardscaping, plant removal, and major landscape changes

c. Crop monitoring including pH & EC levels, pest scouting, etc.

d. Spray applications following current safety protocols & Worker Protection Standards

e. Irrigation system maintenance & regimen programming

f. Cleaning and maintenance of water features & ponds

g. Organization of tools & equipment areas

3. Monitor the health and safety of crew relating to heat exposure, physical strain, hydration, etc. Provide an example of proper health and safety behaviors and notify the Signature Display Garden Supervisor of any safety or health concerns without delay.

4. Obtain and maintain valid licenses for all equipment and operations as necessary, including but not limited to pesticide applicator license, powered industrial truck (tow cart) operation, etc.

5. Collaborate with the Signature Display Garden Supervisor, owners, and other department managers to identify problems in the gardens and successfully implement solutions.

6. Cooperate with and assist other departments to successfully meet company objectives. Ensure that the Display Garden crew exceeds service level expectations for all departments & employees that it may serve.

7. Engage the team to create a productive and enjoyable work environment. Display leadership behavior and a work ethic that is contagious and results in a positive work environment.

8. Provide the team with the support and resources through leading and mentoring to enable them to be successful. Recognize when additional training is needed and inform the Signature Display Garden Supervisor.

9. Recognize and celebrate employee success. Identify employee challenges and notify the Signature Display Garden Supervisor without delay.

10. Recognize the quality of everyone’s work and provide positive feedback on a 5:1 ratio with constructive feedback. If you can’t find enough compliments to keep this ratio in balance, please inform the Signature Display Garden Supervisor without delay.

11. Mix and apply chemicals as well as bio controls as needed following all safety requirements listed on the product label.

12. Assist Signature Display Garden Supervisor with other tasks as assigned.

FOUR STAR VALUES:

Row Together

o Serve each other with dignity and professionalism, so everyone feels included, valued, and supported in an environment of mutual trust and respect.

o Build trust and loyalty through responsible actions and honest relationships with a strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration.

o Create and maintain an environment in which we all are empowered and enabled to achieve our high standards and expectations while having fun.

o Set aside egos and personal goals for the good of the team.

o Communicate with each other in the most personable and inclusive way possible.

Do The Right Thing

o Make ethical, transparent, and well-intentioned decisions, even when no one is watching or the consequences are costly, focusing on what’s best for our company, customers, and each other.

o Fulfill the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations through sustainable actions and processes.

o Be fair, sincere, open, and tactfully honest.

o Make decisions that drive value so we will continue to financially thrive together.

Look Around Corners

o Take calculated risks, simplify processes, embrace, and approach new ideas with the question, “how can we?”.

o Work smarter not harder, constantly seeking improvements that keep Four Star at the forefront of the industry.

o Welcome change and adapt to achieve long term sustained success.

Embrace Challenges

o Anticipate and attack challenges to meet goals and to honor commitments which may include collaborating through healthy differences of opinion.

o Recognize mistakes as learning experiences. Openly discuss mistakes with a commitment to constant personal improvement and give positive encouragement to others to keep trying.

o Own your responsibilities and be genuinely accountable for your decisions, actions, and results.

Live Long & Prosper

o Create and maintain a safe and healthy facility.

o Identify, openly discuss, and fix issues that pose risks to the safety and health of all employees and visitors.

o Seek harmony between personal and professional time.

Reach For The Stars

o Take pride in producing the highest quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations.

o Meet the mission of being “Easy, Successful & Inspiring” for all interactions with customers and each other.

o Make decisions based on data driven insights blended with intuition, then openly share the reasons for those decisions

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

1. Develop working knowledge of Proven Winners and Proven Selections plant varieties.

2. Demonstrate solid customer service skills in greeting & engaging visitors, answering questions, and providing sound advice.

3. Demonstrate strong analytical skills & foresight in identifying areas in need of improvement and developing innovative solutions.

4. Effectively mentor and lead crew members so they safely and efficiently accomplish daily goals.

5. Earn and maintain the trust and respect of all employees, co-workers, and customers.

ESSENTIAL WORK HABITS:

1. Establish priorities, work independently, accomplish objectives, & report progress with minimal supervision.

2. Perform all aspects of the job in compliance with company safety standards. Utilize equipment only after completing the required training including, but not limited to Kubota, Tow Carts, Hi-Los, Scissor Lifts, Ladders, Landscape cutting/digging tools, etc. Ensure all employees have also been adequately trained and use equipment following all operator instructions.

3. Adjust schedule daily, weekly, or seasonally as needed, i.e. work more or less hours depending on seasonal labor needs of various company departments.

4. Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with all fellow employees, promote morale in the department through effective teamwork and leadership.

5. Report to work as scheduled, maintaining a level of absences that results in minimal departmental disruption and minimal unfair burden on other employees.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Professional experience in landscaping/gardening preferred, or other experience in a comparable horticulture field.

2. Must have a valid driver’s license for equipment operation.

3. Leadership experience is preferred.

4. Must pass respirator evaluation and “fit” test and maintain the ability to have a safe proper fit of a respirator on an ongoing basis.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

1. Large percentage of work takes place outdoors. Employee will be exposed to sun, wind, and daily weather conditions including high & low temperatures, occasional precipitation, etc.

2. Daily work involves long periods of standing and regular kneeling/bending over.

3. Regularly involves lifting a minimum of 25 lbs., occasionally up to 50 lbs.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: From $17.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Shift:

• Day shift

Application Question(s):

• Why is this position a good fit for you?
• Are you looking for:

1.) Seasonal Employment as the Garden Lead (April - November)
2.) Year-Round Employment Garden Lead (April - November) and Greenhouse Section Grower (December- March)
3.) No preference

Ability to Commute:

• Carleton, MI 48117 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18