Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Garden & Grounds Technician

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.

Winterthur offers a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. Winterthur considers its employees and volunteers to be among its greatest assets and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to its mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing [Winterthur]” and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Garden and Grounds Technician performs a variety of work in the planning, establishing and maintaining turf grass and field areas throughout the Winterthur Garden and Estate. Assists in management of contractors working with turf fertilization and maintenance. They will also assist with horticulture activities such as pruning, mulching, weeding leaf removal and herbicide application. They will manage horticulture interns and volunteers in their areas and work with teams as needed in the Winterthur Garden and Estate.  This position is responsible for ensuring all work is conducted in a manner fostering Winterthur’s aesthetic/environmental stewardship initiatives.  This position is considered essential personnel and will help with weather emergencies i.e. snow removal, hurricane cleanup as requested as well as work 2-3 rotating weekends a year.  They will assist as needed with all Winterthur events and special programs.

Work Schedule:  7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday - Friday with 2-3 rotating weekends per year. 

Compensation: $19.19/hr 

Benefits: Including, but not limited to, medical, dental and vision insurance; generous paid time off; 403(b) with employer match for eligible employees; free general admission to the museum and grounds for yourself and immediate family; discounts in museum store and cafe.

Responsibilties:

  1. Turf Management – perform the full range of turf and ground maintenance duties- scheduling, planning, seeding, mowing, weedeating, trimming, aeration, fertilization, and irrigation on turf grass and field areas throughout the Winterthur estate. Assist in manage contractors in operations of fertilization and maintenance
  2. Operate Equipment – operate full range of grounds and turf maintenance vehicles and equipment including mowers, blowers, tractors, loaders, dump trucks, plow truck, utility trucks and a variety of hand and power tools. Maintain tools and equipment and perform preventative maintenance on equipment.
  3. Horticulture Activities – assist Horticulture staff with all tasks- pruning, mulching, weeding, leaf removal, herbicide application, trash cleanup. Periodic site maintenance in team areas – cleaning furniture and signs. Assist staff with maintaining, moving and protecting Garden Ornaments.
  4. Documentation: Participate in team/departmental planning and garden documentation. Document all garden changes using Landscape Modification Forms.
  5. Programming/Events: Participation in Garden/Winterthur events as assigned.  Can occur outside of normal working hours.

Requirements

Minimum Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent with 1 year of turf or horticulture related experience

Preferred Experience: Associates degree in Turf Management or horticulture related field and 3-5 years in turf or horticulture related field

Knowledge/Skills:

  1. Strong working knowledge of turf and horticultural practices with desire for continued education and collaboration with other institutions.
  2. Ability to express ideas clearly orally and in writing; good interpersonal skills
  3. Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite systems
  4. Ability to interact with guests in a friendly, informative manner

Essential Functions:

  1. Ability to work with manual shift vehicles/various large and small power equipment--mowers, backpack blower, weed eater, bobcat—and to stand, kneel, and bend for long periods of time.
  2. Able to traverse uneven ground/inclines
  3. Work outdoors in all temperatures/conditions
  4. Exposure to biting insects, poison ivy, herbicides and fertilizers
  5. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license in order to operate Winterthur vehicles