GARDENER I

Description

 The Gardener I is a full-time, non-exempt employee of The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and reports to the Grounds Supervisor and works in partnership with other Trust employees. This entry-level role provides the opportunity to work alongside Grounds staff, building knowledge and practical skills in golf course maintenance practices. Gardener I is a central position in the year-round care and maintenance of the grounds. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Work Location & Schedule: Onsite, weekday and weekend shifts based on operational needs. 

· Works under the direction of the grounds supervisory staff, learning and developing landscape routine practices.

· Plants and cultivates lawns and plants using gardening implements and power-operated equipment. 

· Performs repairs on established lawns using seed mixtures and fertilizers recommended for soil type and lawn location as directed.  

· Plants shrubs, trees, and flowers.

· Mow and trims lawns using a hand mower or powered equipment. 

· Trims shrubs and cleans grounds using rakes, brooms, a hose, and related equipment.

· Digs trenches to install drain materials and/or perform basic irrigation repairs.  

· Assists with the planting, watering, fertilizing and routine care of a wide variety of ornamental plants and aquatic culture.

· General clean up, including weeding, pruning, grooming, staking, and deadheading.

· Utilizes gas-powered mowers, tillers, electric clippers and edgers.

· Completes training to learn and operate tractors, trucks, or utility vehicles.

· Maintains grounds by collecting litter and emptying trash cans.

· Safely moves, lifts, and transports equipment and furnishings of varying weights, including benches and picnic tables.

· Performs golf course setup and breakdown duties as assigned to support daily operations and special events.

· Informs supervisor of parts, supplies or equipment needed to safely perform assigned tasks.

· Maintains a clean service area and maintenance building.

· Reports defective equipment, accidents, injuries, and unsafe work conditions to supervisor. 

· Completes all required safety training.

· Places safety as a top priority and complies with all safety and security policies and procedures.

This position description identifies only the major functions and responsibilities of this job. It does not include all aspects of the position, or additional duties that may be assigned by management. Please note there may be a requirement to help others complete special projects and other work for the foundations’ overall benefit.

Requirements

  SKILLS NEEDED:

· Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues and management.

· Ability to follow recommended maintenance techniques, policies, and procedures.

· Ability to move heavy objects.

· Ability to work in varied weather conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

· One (1) year of related gardening experience preferred.

· Basic knowledge of plant science and culture preferred.

· Basic knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of the profession.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

While performing the duties of this position, the individual is regularly required to stand and walk for periods of up to eight (8) hours per day with scheduled breaks. The individual must have the physical ability to perform life saving techniques, CPR and First Aid and the ability to utilize emergency equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the individual may be required to stand, walk, read, hear, talk, balance, climb, use hands, use fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push or pull. The individual may be required to move or lift objects weighing up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. While performing duties in this position, the employee will work outdoors and may be exposed to wet and/or hot conditions, moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, sharp objects, extreme heat and/or open flame. The noise environment in the work environment is usually moderate. The individual must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. The individual must be able to operate a golf cart.