Collections Gardener

The Living Desert; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Living Desert is seeking a Grounds Maintenance Assistant to perform daily landscaping, irrigation and grounds upkeep in Palm Desert, CA. You will plant, prune, water, weed and fertilize, and inspect areas for issues, while assisting with garden inventory and records.

Working outdoors in heat with heavy equipment, you will follow safety and maintenance plans, coordinate with Curator and Garden Registrar, and ensure professional visitor experiences.

Qualifications

• AA or AS degree in horticulture, botany or plant science; coursework in irrigation and pest management.
• Minimum of two years experience in grounds and park maintenance.
• Energetic with good communication and team work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain gardens and grounds, including planting, pruning, trimming, watering, weeding and fertilizing.
• Inspect assigned areas and perform landscaping to improve appearance.
• Clean pathways, remove litter, and maintain irrigation systems.
• Operate electric and gas tools and vehicles safely.
• Assist with garden records, plans, soil contouring, and plant inventories.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

Pesticide safety

Observation skills

Organizational skills

Record observations

Instruction comprehension

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Education

AA/AS in horticulture or plant science

Tools

Shovels

Rakes

Pruners

Clippers

Picks

Hand saws

Chain saw

Gas leaf blower

Irrigation equipment

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

Performs general grounds and garden maintenance of assigned areas.

Specific Tasks:

• Perform daily maintenance of assigned gardens and grounds including planting, pruning, trimming, raking, watering, weeding, and fertilizing and observes and monitors plants to recognize and distinguish problems.

• Perform routine visual inspection of all assigned areas

• Perform various landscaping and design activities to enhance the appearance of assigned gardens and landscaped areas.

• Clean cement pathways and patios on a predetermined basis.

• Remove litter, debris, and trash from gardens, pathways, and grounds.

• Maintain and repair irrigation systems; design and install irrigation systems.

• Trims pathways and service roads of protruding branches to ensure visitor and employee safety.

• Installs or repairs split rail fencing and plant identification tiles as directed.

• Follows plans and instructions for construction and installation of new gardens and landscapes including soil contouring, rock placement, irrigation, and planting.

• Assist Curator of Gardens and Garden Registrar in maintaining plant inventory and records; maintain daily record of important garden activities such as planting, plant removal, and other non-routine tasks.

• Analyze work orders to determine material required and method to complete the task; requisitions materials.

• Utilize a wide array of tools and equipment including shovels, rakes, pruners, clippers, picks, pry bars, hand saws, chain saw, gas leaf blower, and other equipment.

• Operate Living Desert vehicles and equipment including trucks, tractors, bobcat, medium to heavy equipment, and electric carts.

• Interact courteously and effectively with public at all times and represent the institution in the highest standard of professionalism.

• Establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with co-workers and personnel from other departments in accordance with The Living Desert Employee Handbook.

• Provide assistance to other departments as needed and perform other related tasks as necessary to accomplish department objectives.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The employee may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.

Equipment Used:

Electric cart, general office equipment, miscellaneous electric and gas powered tools and hand tools, standard gardening tools, telephone, two-way radio, and vehicles and heavy equipment including trucks, bobcat, backhoe, and tractor.

Specific Skills:

• A broad knowledge of horticulture/botanical terminology, practices, methods, tools, materials and equipment used in grounds and landscape maintenance.

• Pesticide safety and use

• Good observation skills

• Must have strong organizational skills

• Ability to record observations intelligently

• Ability to give and comprehend oral and written instructions, and to carry-out such instructions

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing

• Must be a motivated self-started who needs minimal supervision

• Ability to work and communicate well with others in a team setting

Physical Position Description:

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS:

Standing, walking, bending, lifting, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, and reaching. Lifting up to 50 lbs.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work outdoors with exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and dust/airborne materials. Work with and in close proximity to medium to heavy equipment.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK:

Weekend and holiday work required. Some evenings may be required during special events.

TRAVEL:

Conference or workshop attendance available. Visitation of other zoos, botanic gardens, or botanically represented geographical areas available. If funding available, some or all expenses paid.

Requirements

Qualifications:

MINIMUM EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

AA or AS degree or higher in horticulture, botany or plant science; course work in entomology, soils, irrigation, pest management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Minimum of two years experience in grounds and park maintenance.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Must be energetic with good communication skills and be willing to work with others in a team setting.

OTHER

Must hold a California driver's license and be insurable on The Living Desert's automobile insurance policy.