Seasonal Gardener/Natural Areas Technician

SUMMARY:

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is seeking energetic and hard-working seasonal staff with an interest in expanding their professional skills to join our team. Our ideal candidates will work within the areas of Horticulture and Natural Areas. Successful candidates will have the enthusiasm and curiosity to inquire and want to experience various aspects of outdoor work involving natural areas and garden maintenance.

The Parklands of Floyds Fork comprises a vast diversity of natural landscapes with conservation improvements and several key attractions, entry, and learning gardens; all of which are important destinations for our visitors. As a new park system, we are working to elevate the beauty and landscape interpretation through our work with plants in gardens and natural lands. We use naturalistic and formal ornamental garden design methods with a focus on Kentucky native and cultural heritage plants that enhance the learning themes for our visitors and educational programs in plant-life, ecology and pollination.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

PRINCIPAL FUNCTION:

• To support the mission and vision of The Parklands through design and management practices to provide a safe, clean, fun and beautiful landscape experience for visitors.
• Follow direction from full-time staff on priorities to accomplish the design intent for garden areas to meet the awe-inspiring beauty and public educational goals through plant selection and organization
• Follow direction from full-time staff on general horticulture practices such as weeding, mulching, grooming & shaping, pruning, string trimming/brush cutting, watering/irrigation, and planting/transplanting
• Follow direction from full-time staff on natural areas tasks; duties include invasive plant removal, brush cutting, and tree plantings
• Assist in IPM strategies to combat plant health issues while maintaining ecological and public safety
• Assist in seed collecting for propagation opportunities for use in gardens
• Assist in the organization and oversight of volunteer gardening activities
• Assist to maintain clean and organized work areas to ensure safety and proficiency in the work place
• Answer visitor questions and report issues to supervisor
• Assist with general park cleanliness and safety reporting
• Aid in maintaining general park cleanliness, support events, minor turf management, storm clean up, and minor maintenance repairs

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed above and any additional responsibilities as directed as well as satisfy the educational and skill requirements listed below.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Currently in school or seeking further training to build upon a career in horticulture, natural areas management, turfgrass management and trail building/design.
• Valid Driver License

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Take direction from staff and complete timely work projects with colleague(s) or independently to achieve work plan priorities as assigned
• Ability to learn horticultural maintenance practices and procedures involving proper tools and equipment
• Ability to learn to identify plants, especially weeds from garden plants
• Ability to learn IPM program and ecological/organic landscaping practices
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds and physically walk, stand, bend, and squat for prolong periods in all-weather outdoor conditions
• Able to learn and physically able to operate a variety of power-driven maintenance equipment such as UTV, tractor, and lawnmower
• Clear written and spoken communication skills
• Proficiency with email and basic computer programs
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, contractors and the public
• Safe and efficient work practices, especially in high public use areas.

WORK SCHEDULE & BENEFITS

TYPICAL SCHEDULE: This is a seasonal (typically March to mid-November) full-time, hourly non-exempt position working a standard regular 40-hour week. Typical work week is Monday through Friday, starting early mornings into the afternoon. Some weekends are required.

WORK MANAGEMENT: The Seasonal employee will work mostly as part of a group, but sometimes individually, and may have some responsibility for a specific project. They will work with volunteers, seasonal gardeners, natural areas technician, and gardeners who are managed daily by leadership staff. This position is directly lead by the Horticulture & Natural Areas Director.

APPLY:

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and two references to “Seasonal Search”, The Parklands of Floyds Fork, 9200 Shelbyville Road, Suite 530, Louisville, KY 40222, or e-mail to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Any recommended applicants for hire must appropriately pass a background check.

ABOUT THE PARKLANDS: The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a systemic, world-class addition to Louisville’s park system that includes four major parks linked by a park drive, a first-rate urban trail system, and a remarkable water trail, all tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. 21st Century Parks, a 501(c)3 established in 2004, is responsible for the operations and maintenance of The Parklands of Floyds Fork. This public/private project is unique in the region and unlike anything currently in development across the country—truly a city-shaping model. Learn more at www.theparklands.org.