Seasonal Greenhouse Worker/Waterer - Brookside Gardens

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

Job summary

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is seeking a Greenhouse Worker/Waterer for Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. The role involves watering, plant care, and greenhouse maintenance in a year-round, part-time position requiring weekend and holiday hours.

Ideal candidates will have greenhouse or horticultural experience, keen attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or with volunteers. This role is not eligible for benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and maintain accurate records.
• Experience in greenhouse, nursery, or horticultural setting preferred.
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Water all greenhouse plants independently on weekends and holidays throughout the year.
• Assist growers in maintaining healthy stock plants and seasonal greenhouse collections.
• Perform routine plant care, including watering, grooming, planting, weeding, pruning, and general upkeep.
• Monitor plants for signs of pests, diseases, and watering needs.
• Support growers with greenhouse production and maintenance activities.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized greenhouse environment.
• Keep work areas, aisles, and growing spaces free of debris and hazards.
• Assist with organizing supplies, plant materials, and equipment.
• Comfortable working alone during the shift.
• Assist with the coordination and direction of volunteers on horticultural maintenance projects as needed.

Skills

Reliability

Punctuality

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Description

Montgomery Parks- Horticulture Forestry and Environmental Education Division is currently seeking a Greenhouse Worker/Waterer to perform a broad range of Greenhouse work for Brookside Gardens, a horticulture display garden located in Wheaton, Maryland. The potential candidate should be a highly collaborative team member that will put Brookside Gardens’ mission first and help to deliver remarkable experiences to our guests. The Greenhouse Worker/Waterer will help produce high-quality annuals, perennials, tropical and woody plants to support the display gardens, conservatories, landscapes, education programs and gift shops. Our growing facilities include a new 11,000 square foot greenhouse, an older 6,000 square foot greenhouse, plus several outdoor growing areas. This position reports directly to the Greenhouse Production Supervisor. This is a year-round, part-time position, working all weekends and holidays, and potentially one to two weekdays.

About The HFEE Division And Brookside Gardens

The Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division contributes to the preservation and maintenance of our parks’ natural and cultural resources. Brookside Gardens is one of Park’s public gardens, displaying horticultural exhibits that are designed, installed, and maintained using ecological landscape practices as a model and inspiration to more than a million visitors per year. Our public gardens offer a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults are planned to excite curiosity and encourage lifelong learning, with the vision of mobilizing residents of Montgomery County as dedicated stewards of the natural world.

Learn More About Brookside Gardens: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

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

Plant Care & Greenhouse Support

• Water all greenhouse plants independently on weekends and holidays throughout the year.
• Assist growers in maintaining healthy stock plants and seasonal greenhouse collections.
• Perform routine plant care, including watering, grooming, planting, weeding, pruning, and general upkeep.
• Monitor plants for signs of pests, diseases, and watering needs.
• Support growers with greenhouse production and maintenance activities.

Greenhouse Maintenance

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized greenhouse environment.
• Keep work areas, aisles, and growing spaces free of debris and hazards.
• Assist with organizing supplies, plant materials, and equipment.

Independent Role

• Comfortable working alone during the shift.
• Assist with the coordination and direction of volunteers on horticultural maintenance projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and maintain accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a greenhouse, nursery, or horticultural setting.
• Experience handling beneficial insects or other live organisms.
• Knowledge of plant care, pest identification, disease recognition, and greenhouse systems.

Desired Skills & Characteristics

• Reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working in hot, humid greenhouse conditions.
• Ability to safely operate tools and equipment.
• Willingness to learn greenhouse production and horticultural practices.

Supplemental Information

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works inside a greenhouse with exposure to temperature extremes, including high heat, humidity, and cold, damp conditions.
• Must be able to perform physical work including bending, stooping, stretching, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Required to work all weekends and holidays independently.
• Opportunity to work up to two additional weekdays per week with flexible scheduling.

Additional Information

• This position is not eligible for benefits.
• Fingerprinting and a background investigation are required prior to hire.
• A full job description is available upon request.

Join our team and play a vital role in keeping our greenhouse collections healthy, vibrant, and thriving year-round.

This position is not eligible for benefits. A background investigation will be completed prior to hire.

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.

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
  • 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 a 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.