Nursery and Grounds Assistant

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission invites applications for a Nursery and Grounds Assistant at Pope Farm Nursery in Gaithersburg, MD. The role focuses on grounds maintenance, irrigation, and plant production tasks within our facility.

The position is 30 hours per week, year-round, with no benefits. Work includes loading/unloading trucks, operating landscape equipment, and supporting various horticultural duties alongside our staff.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• One year of grounds maintenance, landscape, nursery or related horticulture field.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years or older.

Responsibilities

• Operate zero turn mowers and light landscape maintenance tasks.
• Irrigation system use and monitoring; loading/unloading trucks as needed.
• Developmental pruning and shaping of trees and shrubs; staking and tying as required.
• Assist in bareroot planting and upsizing container plant material; general facility tasks.

Skills

Communication

Reliability

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Zero-turn mowers

Small tractors

Dingo-type machines

Handheld power tools

Job description

Description

Montgomery Parks is currently seeking a Nursery and Grounds Assistant to work with our staff at our nursery production facility, Pope Farm Nursery in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Work includes general grounds maintenance, mowing, assisting in the growing and care for trees and shrubs from container to field grown material, irrigation, loading/unloading trucks, and other miscellaneous horticultural related tasks throughout our plant production facility.

About The HFEE Division And Pope Farm Nursery

The Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division contributes to the preservation and maintenance of our parks’ natural and cultural resources. Pope Farm Nursery is a plant production facility that grows a wide range of plant material that support many ongoing Park projects. As a supporting facility to all Park management areas, Pope Farm also has a green waste recycling operation where landscape debris is generated into end use materials such as mulch, compost and woodchips used in park wide maintenance operations.

About Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 1,000 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, including trails, and natural spaces across Montgomery County, with team members working in a wide range of roles including park operations, public programs, park planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect.

Learn More About Montgomery Parks: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/

Examples of Important Duties

General Facility Grounds Maintenance

• Operate zero turn mowers throughout facility
• Light landscape maintenance work within facility, pruning, weeding, debris cleanup
• Drive off-road utility vehicles to transport supplies, tools and plants
• Use of small tractors, skid steers and dingo type machines with various implements to help perform various tasks related to facility operations
• Use of handheld power equipment (weed eaters, blowers, trimmers, etc.)
• Assist in general low volume herbicide applications in production and non-production areas

Plant Production Related Tasks

• Developmental pruning and shaping of trees and shrubs
• Irrigation system use and monitoring
• Pulling plant orders and assist in loading/unloading trucks
• Bareroot tree and shrub liner planting, upsizing container plant material
• Staking and tying of in-ground and container trees

Important Skills and Characteristics

• Strong communication, follows instructions accurately and maintains attention to detail
• Reliable and punctual
• Able to work in varying outdoor climates and safely operate tools and equipment
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, plant production and plant care
• Works well independently and as part of a team

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in grounds maintenance, landscape, nursery or related horticulture field
• Applicants must be at least 18 years or older

Supplemental Information

• May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works outside, exposed to weather elements (heat, humidity, cold), dirt, wildlife and potential harmful insects (bees, hornets, wasps).
• Must be able to perform strenuous work, including the ability to: stoop, bend, stretch, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Works independently and as part of a team.

Additional Information

• This position is not eligible for benefits.
• A fingerprinting and background investigation will be completed prior to hire.
• This position is Monday through Friday, 30 hours per week, year round

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

2026 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR SEASONAL INTERMITTENT EMPLOYEES

The following information is a summary of benefits extended to all Seasonal employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). This is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Limited Benefits For Seasonal Employees

Health Insurance Plans

You are eligible for specific health insurance benefits if you worked, on average, 30 hours per week during your first 12 months of employment or from October 3rd to October 2nd each subsequent period following your first 12 months of employment. This equates to 1,560 hours over a 12-month period.

If and when you are eligible for benefits, you will receive notification directly from the Health & Benefits Office.

Eligible Employees Pay 35% of the health insurance plan premium and The Commission Pays 65%.

• Medical - Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan
• Medical - UnitedHealthcare Select Plan (EPO)
• Prescription: CVS Caremark Prescription Plan

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Sick Leave Benefits

This summary is intended to highlight some of the benefits offered by the M-NCPPC. It is not an all-inclusive agreement and is subject to change. For more detailed description of benefits, please see the appropriate benefits brochure, service agreement or manual. For more information, contact The Health and Benefits Office at [e-mail] or 301-454-1694.