Job Announcement: Garden Assistant
Date Opened: March 5, 2025
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled
To apply, please send a resume and brief statement of why you’re applying to [email protected].
No drop-ins, phone calls, or Facebook messages.
Goodell Gardens & Homestead is currently accepting applications for a Garden Assistant.
The Garden Assistant supports the Gardens & Grounds department in caring for the plants and grounds at Goodell Gardens & Homestead.
Goodell Gardens & Homestead is a public garden, accredited arboretum, and community gathering space located in beautiful Edinboro, Pennsylvania. This rapidly growing nonprofit organization creates beautiful gardens and natural spaces where people visit to Enjoy, Gather, Learn, and Refresh. The Garden Assistant role is essential to the growth of Goodell Gardens & Homestead, with room for growth as our organization grows.
Full job description:
Job Title: Garden Assistant
Department: Gardens & Grounds
Status: Non-exempt, seasonal, hourly position
Season: up to 20 hours per week, March 15 – November 15
Typical Work Week: Monday through Fridays daytime hours with the Gardens & Grounds Coordinator, some weekends as needed for special events
Hourly Wage: $11 – $13/hour depending on knowledge and experience
Probationary Period of 90 days from first day of work
Supervises: Garden Volunteers
Reports to: Gardens & Grounds Coordinator
Purpose of Position: The Garden Assistant supports the Gardens & Grounds department in caring for the plants and grounds at Goodell Gardens & Homestead.
Essential Functions, Responsibilities & Duties
- Assisting the Gardens & Grounds Coordinator and Gardener(s) in the implementation of a work plan for each year to include seasonal, monthly, weekly, and daily maintenance tasks; new plantings and projects; new site development; maintenance of buildings and equipment; maintenance of grounds (parking areas, drives, walks, paths, and property perimeter) in a clean, safe condition.
- Under the direction of the Gardens & Grounds Coordinator, Landscape Designer and/or Gardeners, cultivating, weeding, pruning, edging, soil preparation & mixture, mulching, watering, planting, and transplanting; tree care including planting, pruning, fertilizing, edging, selective clearance, and more;
- Overseeing and training volunteers working in the Gardens;
- Assisting Gardens & Grounds Coordinator and Events & Trails Technician with special projects including, but not limited to building fences, working on trails, building maintenance, installing signage, and clean-up.
- Providing support to the Gardens department by assisting with garden maintenance.
Additional Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned by Garden & Grounds Coordinator, Gardener(s), Landscape Designer, and Executive Director to carry out the mission and vision and meet the goals of Goodell Gardens & Homestead;
- Strive for harmony and teamwork with all other employees;
- Perform all duties in an independent manner with minimum supervision;
- Attend staff meetings as required;
- Assist Visitor Services, Events, & Education Departments with logistics for large events and rentals;
- Be a key-holder for the organization and trained in opening and closing procedures;
- Recognize and perform duties which need to be performed although not directly assigned;
- Work assigned hours, which could change from time to time, to better serve the public.
Qualifications:
Pleasant demeanor, good work ethic, trustworthiness, being a good team player, and ability to work independently required. Ability to follow verbal and written directions, to use a variety of hand and power tools and equipment, and to communicate well with co-workers, volunteers, students, and visitors required. Ability to dig, rake, pull weeds, push a wheelbarrow, bend, reach, walk, kneel and crouch are also required. This position will be required to work outdoors in all
types of weather.
Requirements:
- Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Frequent bending, kneeling, and reaching
- Digging, raking, pulling, pushing
- Standing and walking for long periods of time
- Walking and talking, and talking to small and large groups
- Following directions – both written and verbal, and reading a map
- Driving an electric golf cart and/or tractor and pulling a trailer
- Using a dolly and/or handcart
- Communicating in person as well as via phone and email
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather
All employees of Goodell Gardens & Homestead are required to provide their own foul-weather clothing including, but not limited to rain boots and a raincoat with a hood. The Gardens & Grounds Assistant should also have a pair of sturdy work boots.
Benefits:
Eligibility for Overtime at 1.5x for each hour over 40 hours worked per week = immediately
Paid Bereavement Leave up to 3 days available after one month of service
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AT GOODELL GARDENS, ALL EMPLOYEES must possess or be eligible for clearances: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Report, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Criminal History Report.
