Outdoor Nursery & Grounds Specialist

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Pope Farm Nursery in Gaithersburg, MD, is seeking a part-time Nursery and Grounds Assistant to support our facility operations. You will perform general grounds maintenance, operate equipment, and assist in growing and caring for trees and shrubs from container to field grown material, including irrigation and loading/unloading trucks.

The role requires outdoor work, a willingness to learn plant production, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Operate zero turn mowers and light landscape maintenance.
• Drive and load/unload supplies and plants.
• Irrigation system use and monitoring.
• Developmental pruning and shaping of trees and shrubs.
• Staking and tying of in-ground and container trees.
• Assist in loading/unloading trucks.
• Possible use of herbicides in production and non-production areas.

Skills

Strong communication

Reliable and punctual

Outdoor work and tool safety

Plant production knowledge or learning

Teamwork and independence

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Montgomery Parks is currently seeking a NurseryandGroundsAssistantto 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/

For more information about the Seasonal Hiring process and application status for Montgomery County, please [e-mail].

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

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.