Greenhouse Gardener

PROPRIETORS OF THE CEMETERY OF MOUNT AUBURN; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Auburn Cemetery is seeking a dedicated Greenhouse/Nursery Assistant to care for plants across greenhouse, nursery, and outdoor beds, including propagation and seasonal maintenance. The role also involves assembling floral tribute bouquets for clients and gifting shop orders, with off-site flower collection as needed.

You will work under the Greenhouse/Nursery Manager, supporting pest surveillance, pesticide applications, and general infrastructure upkeep, while assisting volunteers and

Qualifications

• Driver's license required.
• 1 year greenhouse or nursery work experience.
• 1 year of horticulture/gardening experience.

Responsibilities

• Care for plant material in greenhouse, nursery, outdoor flower gardens, and annual beds, including planting, irrigation, weeding, pruning, staking, stepping up, and mulching.
• Propagate plants by seed, cutting, or division and label plants; record propagation data.
• Assemble and deliver floral tribute bouquets for Cemetery clients and Gift Shop; drive Mount Auburn vehicle off site to pick up flowers when requested.
• Scout for pests, diseases, and other plant issues; apply pesticides as directed following labels; record observations and treatments.
• Clean greenhouses, hoophouses, and nursery to promote plant health and staff safety; assist with maintenance of infrastructure (shade cloth, poly on hoophouses).
• Remove snow and ice from greenhouse/nursery complex and other cemetery areas following winter storms.
• Guide individual and group volunteers; assist other Cemetery departments as requested by Greenhouse/Nursery Manager.

Skills

Driver's license

Greenhouse/Nursery experience

Horticulture/gardening experience

Education

Certificate or degree in Horticulture or related field

Tools

Radio communications equipment

Job description

About Mount AuburnMount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty.Position SummaryAssists with overall plant production and plant care operations of the greenhouse, nursery, and cut flower garden. Contributes to production and maintenance of contracted annual beds and floral bouquets, as needed.Essential Functions#ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONTIME1Cares for plant material in greenhouse, nursery, outdoor flower gardens, and annual beds on property, including but not limited to planting, irrigation, weeding, pruning, staking, stepping up, and mulching.60%2Propagates plants by seed, cutting, or division following provided protocols. Accurately labels plants and records propagation data.10%3Assembles and delivers floral tribute bouquets for Cemetery clients and Gift Shop. Drives Mount Auburn vehicle off site to pick up flowers for tributes, when requested.5%4Scouts for pests, diseases, and other plant issues and reports them to Greenhouse/Nursery Manager. Applies pesticides as directed, following pesticide labels. Records observations and treatments.5%5Cleans greenhouses, hoophouses, and nursery to promote plant health and staff safety. Assists with general maintenance of infrastructure, such as changing shade cloth and poly on hoophouses, as requested.15%6Removes snow and ice from the greenhouse/nursery complex and other areas of the Cemetery following winter storms.5%Other ResponsibilitiesGuides individual and group volunteers.Assists other Cemetery departments as requested by the Greenhouse/Nursery Manager.QualificationsREQUIREDPREFERREDDriver’s licenseOne year of greenhouse or nursery work experienceOne year of horticulture/gardening experienceAbility to use radio communications equipmentMassachusetts Pesticide License or willingness to obtain within 6 monthsCertificate or degree in Horticulture or related fieldWorking ConditionsENVIRONMENTOutdoors or in greenhouses in all weather, including heat, cold, and other harsh conditionsLOCATIONOn-siteHOURS40 hours/weekTRAVELNoneEQUIPMENTTurf utility vehicles, cargo van, leaf blowers, string trimmers, pruners, loppers, hand saws, soil knives, spades, rakes, sprayers, etc.Physical and Mental DemandsDEMANDFREQUENCYSPECIFICSLift and CarryFrequentMoving up to 50 lb bags of potting mix from pallets into potting area, loading and unloading flats of plants from tables and cartsCrouch, Kneel, BendFrequentPerform physical tasks in different positions for extended periodsEqual Opportunity and AccommodationMount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.Mount Auburn Cemetery will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Anyone who needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of this role should contact Human Resources.