What are the responsibilities and job description for the PART-TIME Ground & Garden Maintenance Technician position at Richmond Behavioral Health?
The Richmond Behavioral Health Authority is seeking a part-time Ground and Garden Maintenance Technician for RBHA's North Campus and Chelsea Hill locations. RBHA North Campus is a 13-acre, 6-building residential substance use treatment facility located in the Highland Park neighborhood of the City of Richmond. Chelsea Hill is an outpatient services facility located at 2000 Mecklenburg Street.
The North Campus Greenspace consists of open spaces, a walking trail, raised beds (vegetable and flowers), a Kitchen Garden (including vegetables, herbs, and berries), a small fruit tree orchard, several rain gardens and pollinator gardens, and general landscaping. The Greenspace is continually developing to provide a therapeutic and purposeful space for both residents and staff. Much of the development of the Greenspace is done through community volunteers and events and grant funding. Through our development of the Greenspace, we make every effort to be good stewards of the land and use organic practices whenever possible.
The ideal candidate for this position has a love of horticulture and gardening; an understanding of horticulture best practices and is open to learning; and possesses the skills and abilities to perform the tasks required to make this space beautiful, therapeutic, and productive.
Essential Functions
The North Campus Greenspace consists of open spaces, a walking trail, raised beds (vegetable and flowers), a Kitchen Garden (including vegetables, herbs, and berries), a small fruit tree orchard, several rain gardens and pollinator gardens, and general landscaping. The Greenspace is continually developing to provide a therapeutic and purposeful space for both residents and staff. Much of the development of the Greenspace is done through community volunteers and events and grant funding. Through our development of the Greenspace, we make every effort to be good stewards of the land and use organic practices whenever possible.
The ideal candidate for this position has a love of horticulture and gardening; an understanding of horticulture best practices and is open to learning; and possesses the skills and abilities to perform the tasks required to make this space beautiful, therapeutic, and productive.
Essential Functions
- Develop and execute a seasonal plan for planting & transplanting, weed control, watering, fertilization, trimming, pruning, and mulching all areas of the Greenspace
- Prepare soil for planting in the Kitchen Garden raised beds
- Develop a planting plan for the Kitchen Garden; execute plan with residents
- Work with staff and residents to plant, cultivate, and harvest gardens for use in Culinary Arts programs and menu planning
- Seed starting
- Document maintenance and plantings via a weekly/monthly log
- Maintain walking trail perimeter, inside and outside, to avoid overgrowth on the trail
- Maintaining garden tools and equipment
- Follow all health and safety regulations as related to gardening, fertilizing, and applying chemicals
- Collaborate with staff and RBHF Director of Development for volunteer events and grant-funded projects
- Monitor the health of all plants and suggest remedies as needed
- Composting
