Gardener

Village Management Services, Inc; California (MO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Village Management Services, Inc. maintains Laguna Woods Village, a large Southern California community of over 18,000 residents. The role involves hands-on grounds care, operating mowing and trimming equipment, and supporting a team of landscapers.

You will follow safety procedures, work with residents, and may perform pesticide applications. A California driver’s license is required, with Class B CDL required for foreman backup duties.

Qualifications

• Reading, writing, and following oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and understand safety procedures and work instructions.
• Ability to read and write work-related instructions in English.

Responsibilities

• Plant, cultivate, fertilize, water, and trim plants, shrubs, and hedges.
• Operate riding mowers, gas trimmers, vacuums, sod cutters, and related equipment.
• Apply pesticides as required for routine garden maintenance.
• Assist in various ground maintenance tasks as directed.
• Transport equipment and supplies to community areas as needed.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

English communication

Education

Reading/writing instructions in English

Tools

Mowers

Trimmers

Sod cutters

Job description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Under supervision, performs gardening work in the maintenance of assigned landscaped areas; operates ground maintenance equipment as a member of a large crew or working independently among resident manors; work may require contact with residents and answering routine questions; difficult or non-routine problems are referred to the Landscape Foreman; and performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Plants, cultivates, fertilizes, waters and trims ornamental plants, shrubs and hedges; trims trees and shrubs from the ground and on ladders; and installs sod, waters, fertilizes and trims lawns.

Operates riding mowers, gas trimmers, vacuums, sod cutters, hand-held spray equipment and other ground maintenance equipment.

Occasionally applies pesticides as required for routine garden maintenance.

Assists in a variety of ground maintenance laboring tasks as directed.

Drives a truck to transport equipment and supplies to various areas in the Community.

Regular attendance required. All duties performed on-site for the Community.

Works effectively with co-workers, customers and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listens to and objectively considers ideas and suggestions from others; keeps commitments; keeps others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addresses problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; addresses others by name, title or other respectful identifier; and respects the diversity of our workforce in actions, words and deeds.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Educational development which produces the ability to read, write and apply common sense understanding to carry out oral or written instructions. Experience in ground maintenance work or equivalent combination of education and experience which produces the following:

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the job
• Knowledge of the work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with assigned equipment and operations.
• Knowledge of tree planting and maintenance practices and procedures as related to grounds and parkway systems.
• Ability to perform manual work requiring physical strength and stamina appropriate to the area of assignment.
• Ability to read and write work-related job instructions in English.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in English.
• Skill in the use and care of tools and equipment appropriate to the nature of assignment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license.
• Possession of a Class B Commercial License when acting as a back-up Foreman in Landscape.

Company Description

Village Management Services, Inc. provides professional management services to the community of Laguna Woods Village, the largest Southern California independent-living community for people 55 and older. The Village is built on 2,100 acres, features 12,736 homes and is home to about 18,000+ residents. Managing Laguna Woods Village is similar to managing a city. VMS, Inc.’s approximately 1,000 employees provide a wide variety of services to Village residents and maintain the community infrastructure. VMS, Inc. is a mutual-benefit, nonprofit corporation. Our commitment to quality and excellent customer service has made Laguna Woods Village one of the most emulated active retirement establishments in the country.