Temporary Gardener

Position Overview

The Temporary Gardener is a temporary,hands-on gardening position focused on maintaining New England Botanic Garden’s outdoor garden spaces and conservatories. Under the direction of permanent horticultural staff, this role involves caring for a diverse collection of garden areas using horticultural best practices and supporting special exhibitions and events, while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of visitors.

This is a temporary position, as described in the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill Employee Handbook. Temporary employees are hired for a limited duration (typically not longer than a six-month period) to supplement the work force or to assist in completion of a specific project. Temporary employees are on WCHS’ payroll and receive legally mandated benefits (such as Social Security, workers’ compensation insurance and paid sick time).

Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of the Director of Horticulture, Formal Gardens Manager, and other full-time horticulture staff to maintain garden areas to high standards.
• Support the maintenance of garden infrastructure and equipment.
• Be welcoming to all staff and the public and respectful of staff differences and preferences. 
• Use gender-neutral communication styles and respect everyone’s pronouns.  
• Attend Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) workshops and training sessions. 
• Work with an awareness of surroundings in accordance with NEBG safety policy.
• Comply with the provisions of the current Employee Handbook, all published personnel policies, and the requirements of the job description.
• Perform other duties asassigned for the success of the gardens and programming.

Schedule

The Temporary Gardener position is full-time temporary and non-exempt.The standard work schedule for this position is five days per week,Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm with an unpaid 30-minute lunch. The schedule may be flexible to accommodate the organization's needs and may involve agreed upon weekend or evening hours.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Must be able to work indoors in conservatory conditions and outdoors in all seasonal extremes.
• Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods of time and to navigate uneven grounds and stairs evenly.
• Poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes, bees, and other stinging insects will be encountered on the property. Training and personal protective equipment will be provided.
• Must be able to comfortably and safely work at heights on ladders with training.
• Must be able to work with appropriate tools and machinery.
• Must be able to work with standard communications equipment and office technology and software.

Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• Satisfactorycompletionofacriminalbackgroundcheck.
• Knowledge of or interest in horticulture, landscaping or related fieldspreferred.
• Effectivecommunicationskillsandwillingnesstointeractwith thepublic.