Seasonal Nursery and Garden Worker

Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Seasonal Nursery and Garden Worker to assist in the care and maintenance of historic gardens. This role involves hands-on work with plants, including propagation, watering, and general maintenance tasks. Ideal candidates will have a basic understanding of horticulture and the ability to operate gardening equipment. The position offers flexible hours for approximately four months, providing a unique opportunity to work in a beautiful environment while contributing to the preservation of historical landscapes. If you have a passion for gardening and enjoy working outdoors, this could be the perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Excellent benefits package

Employee discount in café and gift shop

Quarterly social events

Beautiful grounds and walking trails

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of horticultural principles and techniques.
• Ability to safely operate power equipment and perform manual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the care and maintenance of the nursery and display gardens.
• Perform tasks such as sowing, transplanting, watering, and weeding.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Plant propagation

Manual dexterity

Power equipment operation

Communication skills

Reliability

Education

High school education

Pursuing a degree in horticulture

Tools

Lawnmowers

Weed eaters

Job description

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello offers positions in a broad variety of careers.

Position: Seasonal Nursery and Garden Worker

Location: Charlottesville, VA

Job Id: 305

# of Openings: 2

About the Thomas Jefferson Foundation

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience.

Purpose: This position is responsible for assisting in the care and maintenance of the Center for Historic Plants nursery and display gardens at Tufton Farm, the packaging of seed, and the production of sales plants for the Garden Shop, catalogue, and online sales. This seasonal position will be up to 30-40 hours per week, flexible, for approximately 4 months.

We will look to you to:

1. Assist in propagation, sowing, transplanting, watering, weeding, pruning, and grooming plants for sales preparation. Assist in transporting plants to the shop.
2. Assist in seed packaging, monitoring, production, and collection in the nursery.
3. Assist in maintaining records of plant propagation and potted plants for sale through data capture and inventory management.
4. Assist with greenhouse, nursery, landscape and general maintenance, CHP projects, and interdepartmental projects as assigned. Maintenance of landscape would include but not be limited to the display beds and plant collections located at CHP.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Basic understanding of horticultural and grounds maintenance principles: including knowledge of garden plants; soils and fertilizers; weeds and their control; watering techniques; plant propagation; essential garden tools; etc.
2. Basic understanding of horticultural techniques and plant nomenclature.
3. Manual dexterity to safely and efficiently execute such tasks as: sowing seed, collecting seed; pruning and training plants; transplanting; watering; fertilizing; spraying, etc.
4. Position requires the ability to safely operate power equipment such as lawnmowers and weed eaters; verbal skills and proficiency in assimilating and disseminating information; tactful communication skills to ensure a harmonious working environment with colleagues; the ability to think and act quickly and to adapt to changing circumstances; and active learning capabilities.
5. Position requires reliability and commitment to fulfill scheduling responsibilities.

Physical Demands and Work Considerations:

1. Position requires extensive manual labor working outside in all weather conditions.
2. Position requires the ability to perform manual tasks: stooping, stretching, bending, and lifting.
3. Lifting heavy plants, flats, bags of media, etc. (50 pounds or more).
4. Flexibility in work schedule, to include some weekend work, including watering plants and participating in public sales.

Education:

1. High school education, with preference for relevant experience. Students pursuing a degree in horticulture or a related field is highly desirable.

We provide:

1. Excellent benefits package.
2. Employee discount in the café, gift shop, and Monticello online catalog.
3. Exciting quarterly social events for all employees.
4. Beautiful grounds and walking trails.

If you believe this opportunity is the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply!