Garden & Grounds Technician

Job Description

The Garden and Grounds Technician (GGT) performs a variety of work in the planning, establishing, and maintaining turf grass and field areas throughout the Winterthur Garden and estate. The TOT will manage contractors working with turf fertilization and maintenance. The GGT will also assist with horticulture activities such as pruning, mulching, weeding, leaf removal, and herbicide application. The GGT will manage horticulture interns and volunteers in their areas and work with teams as needed in the Winterthur Garden and estate. This position is responsible for ensuring all work is conducted in a manner fostering Winterthur’s aesthetic/environmental stewardship initiatives. This position is considered essential personnel and will help with weather emergencies—snow removal, storm/hurricane cleanup—as requested, as well as work 2–3 rotating weekends a year. The GGT will assist as needed with all Winterthur events and special programs.

Compensation: $18.00
Benefits: Including, but not limited to, medical, dental and vision insurance; generous paid time off including 10 paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; 403(b) with employer match for eligible employees; free general admission to the museum and grounds for yourself and immediate family; discounts in museum store and cafe.

About Us

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.
Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.
At Winterthur, employment is more than just work. The Winterthur employee is offered a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. Winterthur considers its employees and volunteers to be among its greatest assets and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to its mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing [Winterthur]” and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Turf Management—perform the full range of turf and ground maintenance duties: scheduling, planning, seeding, mowing, weed-eating, trimming, aeration, fertilization, and irrigation on turf grass and field areas throughout the Winterthur estate. Manage contractors in operations of fertilization and maintenance.
2. Operate Equipment—operate full range of grounds and turf maintenance vehicles and equipment including mowers, blowers, tractors, loaders, dump trucks, plow truck, utility trucks, and a variety of hand and power tools. Maintain tools and equipment and perform preventative maintenance on equipment.
3. Horticulture Activities—assist Horticulture staff with all tasks: pruning, mulching, weeding, leaf removal, herbicide application, trash cleanup. Periodic site maintenance in team areas, cleaning furniture and signs. Assist staff with maintaining, moving, and protecting garden ornaments.
4. Documentation—Participate in team/departmental planning and garden documentation. Document all garden changes using Landscape Modification Forms.
5. Programming/Events—Participation in Winterthur/garden events as assigned. Can occur outside of normal working hours.

Essential Functions:
1. Ability to work with manual shift vehicles/various large and small power equipment—mowers, backpack blower, weed eater, bobcat—and to stand, kneel, and bend for long periods of time
2. Valid Driver’s License free of any moving violations, and ability to successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course
3. Able to traverse uneven ground/inclines
4. Work outdoors in all temperatures/conditions
5. Exposure to biting insects, poison ivy, herbicides, and fertilizers

Education and Experience

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Experience: 3+ years of experience in turf or horticulture-related field with a high school diploma
Preferred Experience: 5 years of experience in turf or horticulture-related field with an Associate’s degree in Turf Management or Horticulture-related field.

Knowledge/Skills:
1. Strong working knowledge of turf and horticultural practices with desire for continued education and collaboration with other institutions
2. Strong working knowledge of large and small power equipment—mowers, backpack blower, weed eater, bobcat
3. Ability to express ideas clearly orally and in writing; good interpersonal skills
4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite systems
5. Ability to interact with guests in a friendly, informative manner

Additional Information

Work Schedule: 35–hour work week; Monday–Friday 7:00 am–2:30 pm – flexible
Working schedule subject to change due to departmental needs/response to weather conditions.

Application Instructions

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by following the link provided here:
https://winterthurmuseum.applytojob.com/apply/1Dh3QQAepX/Garden-And-Grounds-Technician?source=APGA