Grounds Crew Aide- Living Collections

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking a grounds crew aide to support the Collections Horticulture crew. Grounds Crew Aides at The Morton Arboretum have many diverse responsibilities that span across different work areas in the Collections & Horticulture Department. As a member of the Collections Horticulture Crew a high level of plant maintenance is required. You will assist the full-time horticulture staff with weeding, mulching, watering, and maintaining trees and shrubs throughout our living collections. You’ll be part of a great team that works together to thrive.

Position Summary: Assist the Collections and Horticulture staff with the care of Arboretum grounds.

Essential Functions: 

• Duties will be assigned according to current projects in progress. Work may involve some of the following tasks:
  

1. planting, dividing, and transplanting trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and herbaceous plants

2. weeding, mulching, and watering

3. cultivating and fertilizing

4. arboricultural work, including removal of dead wood, structural pruning, and the removal of dead or declining plants

5. hedge trimming

6. edging beds, brush cutting

7. removing litter, twigs, leaves, and other material from assigned and adjacent areas

8. chipping brush by operating a brush chipping machine

9. invasive species surveillance and control

10. monitoring and controlling threatening insects, diseases, and nuisance animals

• Learn, understand, and demonstrate the ability to safely operate and maintain tools and equipment used in daily work. This may include safely and properly using and mixing pesticides.

• May assist in preparing and maintaining garden or collection for special events, exhibitions, and other large-scale grounds projects. 

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Ability to operate small equipment and use hand tools required. 

Success Factors: Ability to perform physical labor indoors and outdoors, requiring strength and endurance, in all kinds of weather.  Ability to be flexible, self-motivated, neat, and safety-conscious in use of tools.  Good communication skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires significant amount of physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 60 or 100 lbs. assisted), bending, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, kneeling, and traveling by vehicles. Sense of vision and hearing in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required.

• Work Environment: Work is primarily performed outdoors in all weather conditions. May have exposure to loud or prolonged noise and/or vibration. Tobacco use is not permitted anywhere on Arboretum grounds. 

• Equipment: Hand gardening tools including loppers, pruning shears, rake, saw, shovel; power equipment including backpack blower, chain saw, edger, lawn mower, rototiller, weed whip; Cushman cart, pick-up truck, tractor, bicycle, two-way radio.

• Schedule: Monday- Friday 6:00am- 2:00 pm, with occasional weekend work as needed

Starting pay is $20.00/hour. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.   

Employees who return in subsequent years are eligible for the following incentives:

Employees returning for a second year will receive $500  upon completion of 400 hours of work and $1,200 upon completion of 900 hours of work.

Employees returning for a third year and beyond will receive $800 upon completion of 400 hours of work, and $1,600 upon completion of 900 hours of work.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.