Groundskeeper Assistant Summer seasonal
Employment Type
Job (Full-time)Job Categories
Horticulture
Job Description
Horticultural care of the grounds of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum located on the shore of the world famous Alaskan Inside Passage. JOA resides in the Pacific Temperate Rainforest surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. Groundskeeper assistants aid the JOA manager in keeping the landscape of the arboretum healthy and thriving. JOA holds the Nationally Accredited Collection of the Genus Primula, in addition to being a Level II certified arboretum. Surrounding the Primula and woody plants are hundreds of other perennial flowering plants that make JOA the botanical gem of Juneau. The property also features a vegetable garden that has been in the same location for over 100 years. Work is mostly outdoors, a small garden shed houses tools and serves as the staff break room. The arboretum is open free to the public however there is no gift shop or education building, all work is horticulture related. There is some interaction with visitors, candidates should be comfortable talking to guests about gardening and the nature of Southeast Alaska.
$22.08 – $23.56/hr. 37.5 hrs/wk, Up to a $500 bonus for candidates who complete the season, generally May – September. Schedule is Wednesday – Sunday, 9a – 5p. NOTE: this job is listed as “Full-Time” only because it works a full week, HOWEVER, it is a seasonal job, not year-round. Candidates must have their own transportation, JOA is 23 miles from downtown Juneau. Sorry, but this does not include housing.
About Us
JOA is managed by the City and Borough of Juneau through the Parks & Recreation Department. The arboretum was donated to the city in 2007 by the last resident Caroline Jensen. Caroline cared for the grounds settled by her husband’s ancestors. A vegetable garden was established on the site in the late 1800s and is still maintained today. Caroline loved Primula and when the property became a public garden, management worked quickly to acquire National Accreditation for its Primula collection. Today there are 155 species and varieties on site. JOA is 14 acres, approximately 5 are cultivated including a natural entry path. A 1/4 mile trail through natural woods adjacent to JOA is also maintained by arboretum staff. The remaining acres remain forested by Sitka spruce, western hemlock, red alder, red huckleberry, various Alaska blueberries, wild Alaskan currants, ferns, and many other native plants.
Duties & Responsibilities
Weeding of display beds and the vegetable garden; applying compost, mulch, and natural fertilizers. Planting and transplanting of annuals, vegetables, and perennials. Some light trimming and pruning. Maintaining the entry path and adjacent 1/4 mile Pt. Caroline trail, removing wind blown debris, relocating or spreading gravel. Assisting volunteer group in setting up and take down of educational programs. Cleaning and maintaining tools and supplies. Answering visitor questions- though many visitors are local, during the summer there is a greater number of visitors from out of state. Busy days can see up to 200 people, slower poor weather days may only see a handful! There are three staff that work at JOA, the manager and two assistants.
Education and Experience
No formal experience is required, however any horticultural background is appreciated. Applicants must have a drivers license. JOA is looking for folks who can work on their own after receiving instruction, folks who are comfortable working with a small staff- we will all know each other. This is a great opportunity to learn about public gardens starting small. JOA is only 14 acres with a small, tight knit staff. Any experience in the nursery industry, other public garden, or horticulturally related degree program will lend a benefit to applicants. For gardeners who want to learn about cold climate or maritime gardening, this location is perfect. Are you a master gardener, or member of any other garden group? Working at JOA will help build your knowledge bank. The manager will be a good instructor and mentor to help you in your horticultural aspirations. All tools, PPE, and safety training are provided including work gloves. JOA is located in a temperate rainforest, candidates should expect weather and plan accordingly with their own clothing. A small stipend will be offered to help with outer raingear. The arboretum is rural by lower 48 standards, there are no restaurants or stores nearby so staff should be prepared to bring their own lunches.
Additional Information
JOA’s location offers the opportunity to indulge in the clean air and clear waters of Southeast Alaska. Wildlife is common, the arboretum is visited by black bears, porcupine, and occasional Sitka black-tailed deer. From the grounds gardeners and visitors can see humpback whales, sea lions, seals, river otters and a plethora of shorebirds. There is a bald eagle nest in the vicinity, red-bellied sapsuckers, northwestern blue-jays, buff-breasted chickadees, ravens, golden-crowned sparrows, and many other birds are regulars. Don’t get your hopes set too high, but in four years there has been one wolf and one red fox sighted. Ermine tracks are common as are red squirrels. JOA works with nature, there is no fence to keep wildlife out so safety around visitors sometimes is required. Since the grounds border the coast, all gardening is organic or natural, we do not want to harm the marine habitat that provides so much food. Since the arboretum is away from town, staff need to bring their own lunches. The gardeners shed is stocked with bottled water, coffee maker, small refrigerator, microwave, wood stove, electric heaters, boot dryer, and snacks. JOA is supported by an independent nonprofit group Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum. FJOA sponsors several family education programs each summer in addition to Mother’s Day and Theater in the Garden. JOA staff will occasionally assist volunteers in setting up events. For more information about the position or JOA contact ginger.hudson@juneau.gov
Application Instructions
Visit the City and Borough of Juneau’s employment portal: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/juneau
The job title and description is:
“Groundskeeper Assistant
Juneau
Full-Time Seasonal – $22.08 – $23.56 Hourly
Category: Recreation / Parks and Recreation / Parks / Grounds & Landscaping / Building & Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance / Hospitality and Tourism / Horticulture
Department: Parks & Recreation”
March 28, 2025
