Seasonal Fine Gardener - job 1 of 2

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $22/hour 

Hours per week: 24 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: March - October 

Location: Long Hill, Beverly, MA

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: 

Long Hill is an historic 114-acre property which includes a distinctive mix of gardens containing perennials, trees and shrubs in historic gardens, apple orchard, meadows and newly created Summer Garden, greenhouses, nursery and demonstration and trial gardens currently under development. These gardens are surrounded by nearly 100 acres of woodland containing two miles of trails. The Trustees are currently focused on sustainability, educating and engaging the public, and improving and elevating our public gardens. 

Our seasonal staff plays an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places.  With the change to warmer temperatures, we experience an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.   

The Role:

As the Seasonal Fine Gardener, you will conduct various landscape and garden maintenance tasks throughout the property with a special focus on new gardens, greenhouses and landscapes. You will work side by side with the horticulturist for these spaces, as well as with volunteers and other site staff. You will also lend support for special events and other programs.   

Specifically, you’ll:

• Employ hands -on skills and technical expertise in routine garden maintenance including planting, pruning, weeding, deadheading, staking, mulching, raking, edging, labeling, watering and pruning.   

• Positively motivate and organize volunteers.  

• Engage with the public in an open and positive manner.  

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation. 

This is a limited-term, nonexempt position (24 hours/week) reporting directly to the Horticulturist.

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required: 

• Knowledgeable in the cultivation and maintenance of annuals and perennials using sustainable techniques including integrated pest management (IPM) methods.    

• Experienced in pruning shrubs and small trees.  

• Able to identify weeds and invasive plants.   

• Familiar with pests and diseases of common landscape plants.   

• Experienced in the use of landscape and gardening equipment including mowers, weed whips, edgers, shovels, pruners.  

• Strong communication skills. 

• Able to lift ~40 pounds. 

• Willing to work in variable outdoor weather conditions. 

• Preferred: 

• At least 3 years’ experience in estate or fine gardening preferred. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.