Horticulturist

Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with university core

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Job summary

Harvard University’s Central Administration seeks a Landscape Maintenance and Arboriculture professional to manage turf care, planting, pruning, and irrigation across university grounds.

The role requires climbing, operating heavy equipment, and adhering to safety standards. Applicants must meet MA licensing, DOT physical, and clean driving record requirements. This is an on‑site, full‑time position with seasonal overtime for snow removal and emergencies.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ experience in landscape installation and maintenance with knowledge of turf care.
• Experience maintaining soil conditions and organic maintenance practices.
• Must have and maintain a valid MA driver’s license and relevant licenses within 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Interpret soil analysis and develop amendment strategies.
• Oversee composting operations including sourcing and processing materials.
• Maintain landscape systems including aeration, fertilization, and irrigation.
• Review landscape plans with emphasis on sustainability.
• Interpret construction drawings and plan installation work.
• Install and maintain gardens and display containers.
• Perform winter care including pruning and anti‑desiccant spraying.
• May supervise property maintenance workers.

Skills

Landscape maintenance

Arboriculture

Tree climbing

Equipment operation

English communication

Education

DOT physical

Massachusetts pesticide license

Massachusetts hydraulic hoisting license

Massachusetts driver’s license

Tools

Aerial lifts

Chainsaws

Chippers

Mini-excavators

Skid loaders

Hand mowers

Rototillers

Rollers

Lawn sweepers

Leaf blowers

Salt spreaders

Snow removal equipment

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) offers building and landscape maintenance, and custodial services to Harvard faculties and departments on a fee-for-service basis. All services are provided in strict accordance with customer-determined standards. As such, FMO operates as an in‑house alternative to contractor services and therefore manages by the same principles that guide any successful maintenance service business.

Job Description

Performs all aspects of landscape maintenance and arboriculture including, but not limited to tree climbing, proper tree pruning techniques, operating bucket truck equipment, organic and conventional care and maintenance of turf, trees, shrubs, and annuals throughout the University.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Interpret soil analysis; develops amendment strategies; modifies organic landscape maintenance programs to achieve desired results.
• Performs all aspects of composting operation, including material sourcing, transportation, integration, gestation oversight (agitation and aeration), and liquidation of nutrient sources for use in spray applications.
• Performs ongoing maintenance of landscape systems, including aeration, fertilization, renovation (seeding and sodding) of turf; pruning, removal, cabling, and treatment applications (organic and/or conventional fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides) for trees and shrubs; and routine maintenance of irrigation systems.
• Reviews and comments on landscape design and development plans with particular emphasis on sustainability and maintenance.
• Interprets landscape construction drawings and plans; stakes out ground plans, organizes tasks; may perform installation work independently or as part of a larger team.
• Installs and maintains annual / perennial gardens and display containers including fertilization and treatment programs.
• Performs winter care program for trees and shrubs including dormant pruning, anti‑desiccant spraying and securing of specimens susceptible to winter damage.
• May oversee property maintenance workers as assigned.
• Perform other duties as required.

Working Conditions

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform outdoor work for prolonged periods of time, often during inclement weather conditions. Frequent climbing, bending, stooping, and reaching, occasional work in restricted spaces and frequent carrying/transporting heavy loads up to 50 lb.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ experience in landscape installation and maintenance, a thorough knowledge of all aspects of turf care, with specialized training in horticulture and/or arboriculture.
• Minimum three years’ experience maintaining proper soil conditions and caring for gardens, planting beds and trees using only non-toxic methods for soil preparation and organic maintenance practices.
• Must possess and maintain the following as a condition of employment:
  • Successful completion of a DOT physical.
  • A valid state driver’s license and satisfactory driving history.
  • Hold or attain within 6 months of employment aMassachusetts pesticide application license.
  • Hold or attain within 6 months of employment a Massachusetts hydraulic hoisting license.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Must be able to accurately identify and treat weeds, diseases, insects, and other environmental stresses to the landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to properly climb trees in the performance of aerial removal, pruning, and cabling tasks required.
• Must be able to properly operate a variety of equipment and tools including aerial lifts, chain saws, chippers, mini‑excavators, skid loaders, hand mowers, rototillers, rollers, lawn sweepers, leaf blowers, salt spreaders, and various snow removal equipment (e.g., Bombardiers, snowplows, and throwers).
• Must be quality focused and able to communicate with peers and customers, clearly and professionally in English.
• This position is frequently required to work overtime for snow removal and other emergencies and to support University events.

Certificates and Licenses

• A valid state driver’s license
• Hold or attain within 6 months of employment aMassachusetts pesticide application license.
• Hold or attain within 6 months of employment a Massachusetts hydraulic hoisting license.

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule

• 40 hours per week
• Schedule: Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm

Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable)

$45.50/hour

Visa Sponsorship Information

Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening

• Identity
• Professional Licenses (see basic qualifications)
• Criminal
• Motor Vehicle Record
• Drug Test
• DOT Physical
• References

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 000. Corresponding salary information can be found in the job description above.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.