What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Nursery and Garden Worker position at Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.?
About the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience.
Seasonal Nursery and Garden Worker
Purpose: This position is responsible for assisting in the care and maintenance of the Center for Historic Plants nursery and display gardens at Tufton Farm, the packaging of seed, and the production of sales plants for the Garden Shop, catalogue, and online sales. This seasonal position will be up to 40 hours per week for approximately 4 months.
We will look to you to:
- Assist in propagation, sow, transplanting, watering, weeding, pruning, and grooming plants for sales preparation. Assist in transporting plants to the shop.
- Assist in seed packaging, monitoring, production and collection in the nursery.
- Assist in maintaining records of plant propagation and potted plants for sale through data capture and inventory management.
- Assist with greenhouse, nursery, landscape and general maintenance, CHP projects, and interdepartmental projects as assigned. Maintenance of landscape would include but not be limited to the display beds and plant collections located at CHP.
Skills and Abilities:
- Basic understanding of horticultural and grounds maintenance principles: including knowledge of garden plants; soils and fertilizers; weeds and their control; watering techniques; plant propagation; essential garden tools; etc.
- Basic understanding of horticultural techniques and plant nomenclature.
- Manual dexterity to safely and efficiently execute such tasks as: sowing seed, collecting seed; pruning and training plants; transplanting; watering; fertilizing; spraying, etc.
- Position requires the ability to safely operate power equipment such as lawnmowers and weed eaters; verbal skills and proficiency in assimilating and disseminating information; tactful communication skills to ensure a harmonious working environment with colleagues; the ability to think and act quickly and to adapt to changing circumstances; and active learning capabilities.
- Position requires reliability and commitment to fulfill scheduling responsibilities.
Physical Demands and Work Considerations:
- Position requires extensive manual labor working outside in all weather conditions.
- Position requires the ability to perform manual tasks: stooping, stretching, bending, and lifting.
- Lifting heavy plants, flats, bags of media, etc. (50 pounds or more).
- Flexibility in work schedule, to include some weekend work, including watering plants and participating in public sales.
Education:
- High school education, with preference for relevant experience. Students pursuing a degree in horticulture or a related field is highly desirable.
We provide:
- Excellent benefits package.
- Employee discount in the café, gift shop, and Monticello online catalog.
- Exciting quarterly social events for all employees.
- Beautiful grounds and walking trails.
If you believe this opportunity is the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply!
