Zone Gardener-Full-time/Non-Exempt

Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation is looking for a primary gardener responsible for the maintenance and care of ornamental beds, trees, and shrubs in Washington, D.C. This essential personnel position will supervise flex gardeners and horticulture interns while ensuring high standards of landscape care.

Ideal candidates will have three years of public gardening experience or a degree in horticulture, along with a valid driver's license. A flexible schedule is required to accommodate varying work priorities.

Qualifications

• Three years' experience in public gardening, including landscape maintenance.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and safe driving record.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management techniques.

Responsibilities

• Maintains ornamental beds by mulching, weeding, and pruning plants.
• Operates ground maintenance equipment safely and efficiently.
• Supervises flex gardeners and horticulture interns.

Skills

Knowledge of plant materials

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to operate ground maintenance equipment

Communication skills

Education

Degree in horticulture or related field

Tools

Mowers

Tractors

Blowers

Sprayers

Job description

Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Horticulture and Grounds. Serves as the primary gardener for one of the schools on the Cathedral Close. Responsible for the maintenance and care of ornamental beds, trees, shrubs as well as the overall appearance of assigned zone. This is an essential personnel position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains ornamental beds by mulching, weeding, and clearing area free of litter and leaves. Properly grooms, deadheads, and prunes plants.
• Maintains a five-acre native woodland
• Recognizes and reports pests and diseases in a timely manner.
• Recognizes and reports potential physiological or nutritional problems such as wilting, leaf scorch, or deficiencies of nitrogen, iron, and magnesium.
• Recognizes water demands of plant material in assigned areas.
• Operates all equipment and tools safely and properly. Return clean tools and equipment to proper place.
• Follows proper techniques of soil preparation, plan installation, and pesticide application.
• Keeps hardscapes in area blown, edged and clean. Keeps gutters and catch basins clean and free of debris.
• Participates in snow removal and safely operate snow removal equipment as needed.
• Supervises flex gardeners and occasionally horticulture interns.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Behaviors

• Arrive at work on time. Keep absences within department guidelines and schedule time off in advance.
• Pursue training and development activities and strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Follow policies and procedures and completes tasks correctly and on time.
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness, display commitment to excellence, look for ways to improve and promote quality and apply feedback to improve performance.
• Work efficiently while achieving established goals.
• Observe safety and security procedures, use equipment and materials properly and report potentially unsafe conditions.
• Competent in required new skills, requires minimum supervision, and displays understanding of how job relates to others.
• Exhibits good listening and comprehension skills. Keeps others adequately informed.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with co-workers and supervisor(s), exhibits tact and consideration, displays positive outlook and pleasant manner, offers assistance and support to co-workers, works cooperatively in group situations, and works actively to resolve conflict.
• Takes responsibility for own actions, follows instructions, commits to doing the best job possible and responds to requests for service and assistance (from supervisors and co-workers).
• Takes initiative: volunteers readily, seeks increased responsibilities and asks for help when needed.
• Ability to work as part of a team by balancing team and individual responsibilities, exhibiting objectivity and openness to others' views, giving, and welcoming feedback, contributing to building a positive team spirit, and putting the success of the team above own interests.
• Dresses appropriately for position and keeps self-well-groomed.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Three years' experience in public gardening including landscape and grounds maintenance and/or degree in horticulture or related field preferred.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and safe driving record and be capable of operating pickup trucks and tractors and snow equipment safely.
• Successful completion of periodic background checks, including FBI background check, and, at the discretion of the PECF, drug and alcohol screening.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of plant materials, proper maintenance techniques, and horticulture practices.
• Understanding of Integrated Pest Management techniques.
• Ability to work well within a diverse and multicultural workforce.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and literacy skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team with little or no supervision.
• Ability to operate all types of ground maintenance equipment such as mowers, sprayers, blowers, trimmers, safely.
• Consistent and punctual attendance; able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Working Conditions

• Normal schedule is Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Must have a flexible schedule, as work priorities will shift.
• Must be able to work required overtime, often with little notice (e.g., snow removal, storm damage). Scheduled overtime includes annual events.
• Must be able to work outside in inclement weather including extreme cold and heat, high winds, rain, and snow.
• Must be able to perform physical work including standing, bending, walking, stooping and reaching, twisting, turning, and kneeling. Must be able to work on feet for extended periods of time and to lift, carry, and push at least 50 lbs.