Gardener

$34,341 - $36,400/Yr

Hermann Park Conservancy - Houston, TX

Part-time - Entry Level

Houston, TX

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Gardener position at Hermann Park Conservancy involves maintaining the landscape and horticulture of one of Houston's premier historic greenspaces. The role requires physical labor, teamwork, and interaction with the public to ensure the park's beauty and health for future generations.

Responsibilities

• Physically perform general grounds maintenance including pruning, trimming, mulching, weeding, raking, planting, watering, fertilizing, spraying, and trash removal.
• Lead teams of volunteers to uphold maintenance standards in assigned garden zones.
• Operate battery or gas powered equipment such as golf carts, blowers, hedge trimmers, pole saws, lawn mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, and spray equipment.
• Apply pesticides, herbicides, biological controls, and fertilizers using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, prioritizing organic methods.
• Monitor the quality and health of plants within the park.
• Transport and spread mulch, gravel, soil, compost, and other bulk materials to project locations in the field.
• Assist in other operational areas including setting up furniture for events, cleaning, and light housekeeping duties.
• Interact with the public to educate garden visitors on acceptable garden etiquette.
• Complete daily timesheets and inventory logs to record activity.
• Clean and secure all equipment at the end of the day and notify the supervisor of any tool or supply needs.
• Assist in group and special projects as required and lead volunteers assigned to your areas.
• Monitor and assist maintenance staff with irrigation systems and report malfunctions.
• Comply with all safety and PPE requirements of the organization.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2 years verifiable experience in landscape maintenance or 4 years of home or family gardening experience.
• Completion of professional training as a Texas Master Naturalist, Texas Master Gardener, Certified Landscape Professional, or similar horticulture program, or a degree in horticulture, botany, agronomy, forestry, conservation, or related field.
• Valid Texas driver's license with a clean record.
• Ability to work legally in the United States.
• Pass a background check, pre-employment drug test, and random drug tests throughout employment.
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid jury duty
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance