<p>Grounds Assistant</p> <p>Cleveland Botanical Garden</p> <p>Opportunity:</p> <p>The Horticulture & Collections department seeks a Grounds Assistant to help with installing, maintaining and caring for gardens, grounds, lawns, seasonal displays, interiors, walkways and service areas at the Cleveland Botanical Garden to ensure living collections plants are grown under optimal conditions and displayed to their best potential, for maximized guest experience.</p> <p>The Grounds Assistant is an essential part of the Horticulture & Collections team at CBG working with Horticulturists, Animal Care Specialists, interns, seasonal workers, and volunteers to support the many programs across a variety of departments with exhibitions and events held year-round. The Grounds Assistant will interact with guests to share general plant knowledge. This position is based out of the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH occasional travel to the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH. We are looking for a team member who wants to do meaningful work in an organization that values diversity of thoughts and perspectives. Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong.</p> <p>Position Details:</p> <ul> <li>Non-Exempt position </li><li>Full-Time, 40 hours a week guaranteed </li><li>Sunday - Thursday; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm </li><li>$15.00/hour </li></ul> <p>Key Responsibilities:</p> <p>Key responsibilities of the Grounds Assistant include but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Assists for the care and maintenance of woody and herbaceous plants, annuals, and bulbs </li><li>Performs various tasks including but not limited to soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, bed renovation, mulching, pruning, staking, transplanting, thinning, weed control, and litter removal </li><li>Mows and cares for grass and turfed areas according to sustainable horticulture practices </li><li>Assists with set up and take down of supplies for Western Reserve Historical Society </li><li>Completes necessary tasks at the Rockefeller Greenhouse weekly or as needed </li><li>Ensures walkways and paths are clear for guests and event attendees through participation in leaf, ice, and snow removal </li><li>Works closely with volunteers and interns to implement maintenance practices that meet or surpass the horticultural and landscaping standards of HF&G </li><li>Maintains a safe and productive working environment for staff and visitors </li><li>Interacts regularly with guests, members, and the public positively to create a welcoming atmosphere </li><li>Safely operates a variety of machinery and equipment, including but not limited to, motorized utility carts, tractors with bucket loader, trucks, chippers, snow blowers, pruners, hand shears and saws, pole pruners, string trimmers, sprayers, leaf blowers, wheelbarrows, push and riding mowers </li><li>Inspects and maintains small equipment to ensure safe operating condition, including sharpening tools, mixing fuel, and checking fluid levels </li><li>Assists the Curatorial team by labeling plants on the grounds </li><li>Creates signage and labels plants in outdoor gardens </li><li>Application of chemical, organic, and natural sprays will be required following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in accordance with the law including maintaining operational and pesticide records </li><li>Monitors, adjusts, and repairs irrigation system </li><li>Observe all safety protocols and always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required for position and/or specific activities </li><li>Report any hazards or unsafe conditions immediately to your supervisor </li><li>Occasional work may be required at the Holden Arboretum campus </li><li>Maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record </li></ul> <p>Qualifications and Skills:</p> <ul> <li>Supports Holden Forests & Gardens' mission, vision, and values </li><li>Demonstrate a passion for people, nature, and the environment with interest in working outdoors year-round performing manual labor in all weather conditions </li><li>High school diploma or equivalent, required </li><li>Work experience in public horticulture, gardens, or landscaping required </li><li>Undergraduate degree in Horticulture, Botany or related field of study, preferred </li><li>Participate and work effectively independently and on multi-disciplinary team </li><li>A positive attitude and willingness to learn </li><li>Ability to plan and communicate requests to a team </li><li>Possess strong oral and written communication skills </li><li>Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive </li></ul> <p>Physical Requirements</p> <ul> <li>Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodations </li><li>Willing and able to operate power equipment and preform strenuous, hands-on work year-round in all types of weather conditions </li><li>Working outdoors or indoors where the ambient temperature spans subzero to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, performing required tasks in all weather conditions </li><li>Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven, or rocky </li><li>Effective vision, hearing, hand, and arm dexterity </li><li>Operating a variety of machinery and equipment including utility vehicles, pruners, shears, string trimmers, sprayers, blowers and push and riding mowers </li><li>Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing and lifting </li><li>Carrying up to 50 lbs. on a repetitive basis daily </li><li>Ability to walk an average of 3-5 miles per day in variable terrain; occasionally more </li></ul> <p>Some of the reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work!</p> <p>We offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) | Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!</p> <p>Apply:</p> <p>Qualified applicants should submit résumé, cover letter explaining why they want to work at Holden Forests & Gardens & highlighting your experience in public horticulture, gardens, or landscaping, and 3 professional references.</p> <p>Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.</p>