Career Opportunity with Portland Edible Gardens
POSITION TITLE: Installation Leader
BACKGROUND:
Portland Edible Gardens (www.portlandediblegardens.com) helps people grow their own fresh, organic food at their homes in the Portland metro area! We support our clients by installing raised garden beds and other landscape infrastructure, and providing hands-on support with the planting and tending of annual vegetable gardens throughout the year.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Portland Edible Gardens (PEG) is looking for a dynamic, motivated, and highly skilled Installation Leader to oversee and implement raised garden bed installation projects for our residential clients.
The Installation Leader will be in charge of overseeing all phases of landscape construction including managing a small installation crew, materials preparation, site preparation, grading/leveling, raised bed construction, irrigation installation, mulching, etc., to create beautiful, accessible spaces that will support the growth of productive organic vegetable gardens. The ideal candidate will also support in broadening the scope of PEG’s landscape installation services and offerings going forward.
During certain times of year the Installation Leader will also have diverse responsibilities outside the scope of landscape installation including planting/maintenance of client vegetable gardens, administrative/marketing tasks, and PEG infrastructure maintenance/improvements.
This is a full-time, exempt, Salaried position.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Installation:
- Leading a crew of 1-3 assistants to implement contracted installation projects
- Cutting and preparation of materials for garden bed construction in PEG woodshop
- Removal of sod, soil, plants, and debris from job site prior to installation
- Grading and leveling of terrain using hand tools and small excavators
- Construction of raised garden beds on-site
- Installation of drip irrigation systems
- Loading soil into raised garden beds and planting areas
- Spreading mulch, gravel, and other organic materials
- Maintaining/organizing/cleaning of work spaces
- Misc. landscaping, logistical, administrative tasks
Vegetable Garden Maintenance Visits:
- Performing garden visits at clients’ homes: planting seeds and vegetable starts following clients’ customized seasonal planting plans
- Maintaining client vegetable gardens using seasonally appropriate techniques including: organic pest and disease identification/treatment, irrigation assessment/adjustment, pruning/training/trellising, fertilization and soil fertility management, and harvest of vegetables for clients
- Adjusting drip irrigation systems according to anticipated weather
- Maintaining clear communication with PEG owner and Lead Home Garden Mentor regarding garden visits and clients' gardens
- Documenting garden visits for record keeping and generation of content for PEG social media accounts
Other Responsibilities:
- Working with PEG Owner to identify/execute marketing/outreach goals
- Maintaining and improving PEG workspaces/infrastructure
- Developing and implementing new services/products according to client needs and PEG capacities
Essential Qualities:
- Broad knowledge of landscape installation techniques
- Carpentry skills and familiarity with power tools including miter saws, circular saws, roto-tillers, sanders, routers
- Proficiency with landscape irrigation materials/techniques
- Leadership experience managing and directing others
- Reliable, driven, and committed to delivering value to the organization
- Innovative and creative, with an instinct for solving problems and finding solutions
- Adaptable and able to adjust to changes in plans and priorities
- Highly organized and capable of planning and preparing for a wide range of daily tasks
- Ability to work long hours doing highly physical work with persistence and positivity
- Excellent communication skills. Able to communicate clearly, effectively, and thoughtfully with both PEG clients and PEG employees
- Extremely detail oriented and focused on consistently delivering high quality work
- Able to work independently and effectively without direct supervision
- Responsive to feedback and motivated to grow through challenges
Must have own reliable transportation and excellent driving record
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Landscape/garden design experience
- Hardscaping with pavers/flagstones
- Stonework/retaining walls
- Welding/metalwork
- Familiarity with organic horticulture and vegetable gardening
- Marketing experience
- Photography experience
- Social media proficiency
- Writing proficiency for blog posts, marketing content, etc.
COMPENSATION:
This is a Full Time, Salaried, Exempt position with an annual salary of $42,000-$48,000/year DOE (Beginning 1/1/2026) with 10 paid federal holidays, 30 additional days PTO and 40 hrs sick pay annually.
Probationary Period:
A probationary period will commence upon hiring with part time work (15-30 hrs per week) compensated at $20-$25/hr DOE through 12/31/25
Paid Time Off (after probationary period):
10 paid federal holidays
30 additional days PTO
Sick Pay:
40 hours sick pay annually. Begins accruing after probationary period.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Open until filled
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter, current resume, and 3 professional references
We will confirm receipt of all applications and reach out to candidates of interest to schedule interviews.