Gardener I/II

Swarthmore College; Swarthmore (Delaware County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in liberal arts education is seeking a dedicated horticulturalist to join their Grounds Department. This role involves providing essential horticultural support for the renowned Scott Arboretum, ensuring the care and maintenance of diverse plant collections across a beautiful 420-acre campus. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in horticulture, demonstrate effective teamwork, and maintain a commitment to sustainable practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative environment, contributing to the aesthetic and ecological integrity of the college's outdoor spaces. If you are passionate about horticulture and education, we want to hear from you!

Benefits

Incredible benefits

Collaborative work environment

Access to a stunning 420-acre campus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field required.
• Must maintain Pennsylvania pesticide applicator certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide horticultural support for plant collections and gardens.
• Assist in maintaining campus aesthetics and safety.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Plant care

Pesticide application

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related discipline

Practical horticultural training

Tools

Grounds maintenance equipment

Hand tools

Job description

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Human Resources
Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Office Hours:
8:30am - noon & 1-4:30pm (M-F)

Employment

Job no: 495601
Work type: Full Time
Location: Swarthmore
Categories: Staff, Hourly (Non-Exempt), On Campus

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community.

Who We Are:
The Grounds Department of Swarthmore College is responsible for maintaining the collections of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, as well as maintaining a safe outdoor environment for all College students, staff, faculty and guests.

The opportunity:
Provides horticultural support for the care and maintenance of the plant collections, gardens and landscaped areas of the Scott Arboretum and the entire Swarthmore College campus and properties owned by the College.

HORTICULTURAL TASKS (70%)

• Assists in maintaining the plant collections by performing timely planting, weeding, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, irrigating, leaf raking, and other plant cultural practices with minimal supervision in order to maintain campus aesthetics and provide proper horticultural care.
• Assists in maintaining specialty garden areas consisting of Glade Garden, Harry Wood Garden, Nason Garden, Pinetum, Pollinators Garden, Singer Hall landscape, Winter Garden, magnolia and holly collections, green roofs, various courtyard gardens and major horticultural collections as the most intensively-maintained gardens on campus.
• Assists in maintaining a broad range of trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, annuals, and turf grass; has the basic knowledge to provide proper horticultural care in a timely and efficient manner.
• Assists in making decisions relative to the common diseases, insects, weeds, and cultural problems of landscapes and turf in the mid-Atlantic region.
• Demonstrates familiarity with sustainable landscape/gardening practices relating to soil and plant health.
• Maintains Pennsylvania pesticide applicator certification for ornamentals and turf in order to legally and safely apply pesticides or organic control materials.

GROUNDSKEEPING DUTIES (20%)

• Keeps campus areas, turf, roads, sidewalks, and patios maintained in an efficient way.
• Performs trash removal, irrigation, turf renovation, turf mowing, snow removal, and leaf raking in order to efficiently maintain safety and high horticultural aesthetics on campus.
• Assists with special function set-up and tear-down in order to prepare the facilities in a timely manner for College- and Arboretum-hosted events.

EDUCATION SUPPORT (10%)

• Develops, leads or assists with Arboretum classes and lectures open to members, the public and volunteers.
• Provides horticultural information to the public, members and volunteers.
• Leads or assists with various educational programs as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Assists in daily supervision of assigned volunteers, student workers and summer interns.

Who you are:

• Builds successful working relationships with coworkers and supervisors.
• Works successfully with coworkers, interns, students, and Arboretum volunteers.
• Adapts to new work situations, people, ideas, procedures, and organizational structures.
• Exhibits maturity, reliability, composure, and stability under pressure.
• Understands and abides by a high standard of professional ethics.
• Works successfully with a diverse department and upholds the College’s commitment to equal opportunity.

What you bring:
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related discipline; or, practical horticultural training course plus one to three years of job-related experience.
• Maintains Pennsylvania pesticide applicator certification.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must have demonstrated knowledge of ornamental plants and turf.
• Must be familiar with the operation and maintenance of hand tools and grounds maintenance equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three to five years of gardening/horticulture experience.
• Experience working in a public garden or college campus setting.

Physical Demands

• Ability to frequently lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work under harsh weather conditions.
• Ability to work with diverse crew, faculty, staff, and volunteers.

What You Will Get:
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by May 27, 2025.

PA Criminal Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

MVR Required by Position
Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position.

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world.

Advertised: Apr 15 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled