Horticulture Assistant

Role: Horticulture Assistant

Reports To: Director of Horticulture

FSLA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt Full Time (32 -40) hours per week depending on season. Weekends required/some evenings)

Location: On-site in New Canaan, CT

About Grace Farms:

Grace Farms is a humanitarian and cultural center in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Director of Horticulture, perform gardeninghorticulture duties including, but not limited to: planting, mulching, weeding, staking, deadheading, pruning, watering, plant and pest identification, and integrated pest management (IPM) within Grace Farms' organic vegetable, fruitflower garden and multi-ecosystem landscape.
• Assist in the maintenance of the ecological landscapes and gardens to meet departmental horticultural standards, with an emphasis on sustainability and aesthetics.
• Assist with plant propagation and production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed; cuttings; transplanting; watering; and additional plant care as needed.
• Assist the Director of Horticulture and Horticulture Specialist in the preparation and delivery of educational outreach activities.
• Engage proactively with visitors and staff in a welcoming way about Grace Farms' horticultural practices, its landscape and gardens making the information accessible and relevant for all age groups.
• Participate in occasional specialty tasks such as floral arranging and assisting with floral design for events, or others as identified.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of basic horticultural practices and procedures required for soil preparation, plantingtransplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, and raking.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with plants common in the horticulture trade in the Northeast, organic vegetable and fruit gardening and knowledge of the region's native flora desirable.
• Ability to operate and maintain power tools, vehicles, and other landscape equipment.
• Must have experience or strong interest in ecological landscaping, and ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and sustainable/organic gardening practices.
• Must be able to safely work with appropriate hand and power tools and equipment. (Handheld blowers. string trimmers, utility carts, mowers, pruners)
• Assist in the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to ensure plant health. Assists in the identification and diagnoses of pests, diseases, and other plant problems. Determines effective treatment utilizing the IPM principles.
• Comfortable working independently, and able to use appropriate judgement when working alone.
• Must be able to facilitate information and programming to a wide variety of audiences including adults, children and intergenerational groups.
• Excellent communications and collaboration skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team. Must be comfortable interacting with guests, staff, and the community.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Must have flexible schedule to work weekends (likely every Saturday) and some evenings. Reliable transportation is required.

EducationExperience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of one (1) full year of equivalent working experience in horticulture/landscape design and maintenance preferred.
• A degree in horticulture, plant science, or closely related field or equivalent relevant experience is preferred
• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or a related field is highly preferred but not required if field experience is present

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift a minimum to forty (40) lbs. Physical activities will include standing/bending/stooping/ squatting/reaching above shoulder level/ kneeling. Must be able to use hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, manipulation and grasping. Must be able to use head/neck in rotational, extension and flexing movements. Position requires extended time outdoors in a variety of conditions (e.g., hot sun, rain, cold temperatures, etc.)

Benefits

Grace Farms offers a competitive benefit package that includes a choice of medical plans, a dental and vision plan, 100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability and a 403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match. We encourage our staff to take time off to rest and recharge and provide PTO, sick, and personal days as well as 11 paid holidays. All staff are welcome to explore the beautiful 80-acres of our preserved land and may take part in any of the numerous public events on-site.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.