Fine Gardener

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ 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 

Hours per week: 35 

Job Classification: Limited Term, Non-exempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: March - October 

Location: Steven's Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

With a striking variety of garden rooms, every day working at Stevens-Coolidge brings something exciting and different. Your responsibilities as a fine gardener will range from harvesting heirloom vegetables from the potager garden for our local food bank to helping lead our robust volunteer corps through deadheading in the sunken rose garden. You will contribute to the Trustees’ mission by painstakingly caring for this historic, community cornerstone and inspiring its next generation of admirers.  

Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens is a historic 91-acre property with gardens including a potager garden, formal cutting garden, Italianate rose garden, perennial garden, orchard, meadows and the newly created Entry Garden composed of a mix of introduced and native pollinator friendly plantings, greenhouse complex, and nursery. The Trustees are currently focused on sustainability and improving and elevating our public gardens. 

The Role: 

This position is a limited term, 35 hour per week, non-exempt opportunity suited to a skilled gardener with an energetic, positive personality and strong work ethic. The position is expected to begin in March and end in late October. The Fine Gardener will be based at Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens in North Andover and reports to the Horticulturist. The successful candidate will have a high level of horticultural skill, a passion for plants, attention to detail, and a positive, collaborative nature. They will be able to work independently and as part of a team, will work outdoors in all kinds of weather, and will support all aspects of horticulture at Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens. The Fine Gardener will interact with staff, visitors, volunteers, members and donors in an open and engaging manner.    

Specifically, you’ll: 

• The Fine Gardener will employ their 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 assist in organizing volunteers  

• Engage with the public in an open and positive manner  

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation 

This is a limited term, non-exempt position (30 hours/week) reporting directly to the Horticulturist. 

Requirements

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• Two-year Associate degree in horticulture or related field of study preferred. Certificate in horticulture accepted with five or more years of proven experience in professional estate or fine gardening  

• Three or more years of hands-on experience and an employment history that shows increasing responsibilities in the horticulture field  

• Experience supervising staff, interns and/or volunteers  

• Pesticide Applicator’s License preferred  

• 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    

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Able to handle the physical demands of the job including routinely climbing a ladder, lifting loads up to 40 pounds, and working outside in all weather conditions  

• Occasional weekend and evening hours required to care for collections  

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy  

• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI) 

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

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Prorated by length of service 

• Vacation time: Prorated by length of service 

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees’ health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• 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.