FINE GARDEN ASSISTANT

801 Chesley Ave, Richmond CA

Description

An amazing creative opportunity exists in a flourishing and world-renowned horticultural nursery known for its rare and unusual plant specimens and spectacular display gardens. Annie’s Annuals and Perennials is looking to expand our gardening and grounds crew for an individual who prides themself through working collaboratively in the creation and maintenance of artistic and creatively displayed vibrant display gardens. These onsite display gardens are a keystone of our success in educating the public and marketing our special horticultural selections. The ideal candidate should possess creativity, organization and a strong ethics for self-sufficient work, yet be able to work under supervision of the Fine Gardener to assist with daily tasks of the installation and maintenance of the display gardens onsite at Annie’s Annuals and Perennials. Primary Purpose of Position: Assistant to the Fine Gardener for Annie’s Annuals Display Gardens Duties and Responsibilities: • Under direct supervision, work on a daily basis with grounds crew to prepare, plant and maintain demonstration gardens, parking lot, perimeter street planting beds, potted specimens, rotating displays and other highlighted seasonal selections. • Maintain all garden beds and walkways weeded, composted, dead-headed and pruned within appropriate guidelines. • Recognize plant diseases, pests, and general conditions of plant life and perform methods to correct such conditions under direct supervision when necessary. • Monitor watering and soil quality of all beds. • Assist team on daily as well as seasonal transplanting of select cultivars of annuals, perennials, biennials and associated species. • Under supervision, perform staking and support of fledgling and mature plantings. • Maintain debris around all planting and high visibility display areas. • Act to reconstruct rock walls and borders when necessary. • Operate, clean, and maintain hand and power tools, such as pruners, saws, manual tools, hoses, hand trucks and other associated equipment. Maintain storage areas. • Learn and maintain a good understanding of the personal safety equipment required for each piece of equipment. • Under supervision of Propagation Department, assist in harvest of seed and cutting material. • Assist grounds crew to ensure replacement plants are potted up as needed in advance and back-up plant propagation areas are maintained. • Assist grounds crew with winterization and bird-proofing of display beds when required. • Possess strong customer relation skills to answer inquiries about demonstration gardens, including plant identification, and assist retail staff with gardening knowledge as needed. Qualifications: • Previous experience with groundskeeping or fine gardening and/or combination of training, education and experience. • Must be able to work well in a team setting. • Must be able to clearly communicate, listen and take directions. • Must have a strong attention to detail. • Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions and be on-foot for long periods of time. • Preference will be given to applicants who have completed recognized courses or degrees in fields associated with horticulture, landscape design, botany or another allied field. • Demonstrate ability to read, write and follow oral/written instructions provided in English. • Ability to implement a customer service approach, with a commitment to high ethical standards while interacting with retail customers. • Ability to perform basic mathematics. • Knowledge or the ability to learn efficiently relevant safety regulations. • Ability to lift and move moderately heavy objects, up to 30 lbs. safely. • Frequent kneeling and bending of knees and back is required. • Knowledge or the ability to learn efficiently, names, characteristics, of the varieties Annie’s propagates for rotation in the display gardens • Ensure safe practices and proper PPE are utilized at all times. • Documentation of Covid Vaccination/Booster required or receipt of an approved exemption. . Salary and Benefits: Part time or full-time position. Salary DOE. For full time candidates, after a probationary period, this position includes health and dental insurance, PTO and generous product discounts.