Seasonal Fine Gardener

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: $21 - $23 based on experience 

Hours per week: 24- 30 hours 
Job Classification: Limited Term, non-exempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: April- November 

Location: Armstong Kelley Park, Osterville, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact: 

Armstrong-Kelley Park is an 8.5 acre garden and woodland oasis in Osterville, Massachusetts with a varied terrain which includes woodland trails, unusual trees, annual and perennial borders, and small ornamental water garden. In Spring 2020, The Cape Cod Horticultural Society (CCHS), which has owned and maintained Armstrong-Kelley Park for nearly 100 years, approved a plan to be integrated into The Trustees. Through this integration, which became official in the Fall of 2021, this treasured community resource is now a Trustees reservation, and its 12th public garden. A new master plan has been developed for the park and will bring new plantings, improved access and parking, and new garden features in the next two years. As the Fine Gardener, you will play an important role in maintaining vibrant new plantings in this exciting time of change in the park.    

The Role: 

As the Seasonal Fine Gardener, you will report to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist and bring hands-on technical skills to Armstrong-Kelley Park, providing a high level of care for the landscape and gardens, leading volunteers in exceptional standards of garden maintenance, and interacting with visitors, members, and donors in an open, engaging manner. As an energetic, positive individual, you will bring your professional gardening talent to the care of the gardens, assist with living collections management, and implement best practices established under the leadership of the Horticulturist.  This is a seasonal, part-time position. 

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Work independently to perform horticulture duties associated with installation, maintenance and care of permanent and seasonal plantings, including perennial and shrub borders, tree care, natural areas, lawns and pathways. This includes planting, weeding, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning and staking.                                                            

• Support stewardship team in water garden maintenance by conducting a weekly backwash of the system, monitoring water levels and filling pond if necessary.                                        

• Positively motivate and oversee our Thursday volunteer group in the gardens.                                                                                                 

• Maintains garden infrastructure including irrigation system, pathways, playground structure and general garden trash clean up.                                                                                                

• Interacts with the public in a positive, cheerful manner.                                                           

• Works as part of a team to collaborate with engagement staff and stewardship staff.                                                                            

• Abides by the policies and best practices to guide great garden design and exceptional horticultural standards in balance with their natural surroundings and historic integrity.  

• Checks in frequently with Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist and communicates efficiently and effectively via all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook 365, Teams), garden design drawings, phone calls, text messages, and in-person meetings.    

This is a seasonal, non-exempt position working 24 hours/week reporting directly to the Southeast Gardens Senior Horticulturist.