Award-winning Southern California historic site with nationally recognized gardens is looking for a gardener with an appreciation for historical landscape design and a passion for nurturing plants. Join us in sharing our unique gardens with the public and preserving this rare, cultural resource for future generations. Spend your days surrounded and inspired by the Rancho's rich history and varied gardens. Expand your knowledge and expertise caring for an estate garden.
Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch & Gardens is a 7.5-acre historic site with grounds that include a native California garden, a desert garden, a cutting garden, a formal rose garden, along with lawns, patios, and other formal and informal gardens. The gardens were developed over several generations but today reflect the work of renowned landscape designers of the early 20th century, including Olmsted Brothers, William Hertrich, Florence Yoch, Paul J. Howard, and Allen Chickering. The site is open to the public five days a week. The Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation operates the site in a public-private partnership with the City of Long Beach.
The Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation values diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion for all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, races, abilities, and levels of education. Candidates of diverse identities are welcome and encouraged to apply.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Gardener I (One) is part of the horticultural team tasked with caring for and preserving the historic gardens and grounds. The Gardener I position reports to the Head Gardener and helps care for and maintain all aspects of the gardens. The Gardener I works with contractors and volunteers while carrying out the position’s duties.
General Duties and Responsibilities Include:
Propagate, plant, irrigate, and maintain a diverse range of plants, shrubs, and trees both in ground and in containers. Potting and repotting plants within and near historical pottery.
Monitor and manage plant health, implementing pest control and disease control prevention measures.
General grounds maintenance, including trimming, pruning, planting, weeding, sweeping, trenching, cultivating, and blowing.
Assist in the operation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems
Provide direction to and oversee the work of the site’s garden volunteers.
Other duties may be assigned
Requirements:
3-4 years of professional garden, landscaping, and/or hardscape experience or equivalent.
California driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from work.
Ability to take direction and learn new skills and techniques. Historical gardens are not maintained or managed like commercial properties.
In-depth knowledge of gardening tools and techniques. Experience or a willingness to learn how to use, maintain, and care for power tools.
Knowledgeable in general plant identification and care.
Horticulture certifications are a plus.
Knowledge of rose care is desirable but not required.
Ability to complete tasks promptly.
Self-motivator. Must work well both independently and on a team.
Basic Microsoft Word and Excel skills are required, or willingness and ability to learn.
Ability to work with and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, especially with the site’s volunteers.
Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred
Working Conditions:
The Gardener works out-of-doors, often in full sun. This position works closely with materials that may cause allergic reactions, particularly to dust, animals, pollen, and plant materials. Must be able to negotiate ladders and stairs. Must be able to tolerate periodic Must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds repeatedly, including handling these materials while standing on ladders and stepstools. This position requires wearing a uniform. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Hearing Requirements: Phone use, and interaction with volunteers and the public.
Classification: Full-time, non-exempt (hourly)
Compensation: $20-$22/hour. Benefits include healthcare, paid sick leave, paid vacation, holiday pay, cell phone allowance, and participation in the Foundation’s retirement plan.
TO APPLY: Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the position title in the subject line. Please do not telephone or drop in to see staff without an appointment. However, visiting during regular open hours and familiarizing oneself with the site before applying is encouraged.
Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.