Horticulturalist/Gardener

Job Description

Horticulturalist/Gardener

Germantown Friends School is seeking a full-time experienced Horticulturalist who will be responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping and outdoor common areas. Buildings and Grounds staff are considered essential employees and are required to be available to work during emergencies (e.g., flooding, snow, ice, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Maintain, update tree and plant database documents for the Betty Cary Arboretum. 
• Edge and mow grass regularly to prevent overgrowth on the campus.
• Maintain all planting beds on Main Campus: pruning, pulling, and keeping weeds to a minimum.
• Perform minor and routine maintenance on all grounds equipment.
• Keep all school campus grounds clean and orderly condition.
• Pick up and dispose of litter and rake leaves daily throughout the property collectively with the grounds team.
• Maintain all other landscapes and outdoor common areas on campus.
• Plant and maintain the plant containers on campus.
• Maintain wood carpet levels in all playgrounds regarding safety.
• Mulch to be completed in all planting areas as appropriate.
• Order tools and supplies and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Maintain and repair irrigation systems.
• Collaborate with landscaping contractors to assist and direct their tasks.
• Maintain and clean drain catch basins.
• Maintain, inspect, and update stormwater retention basins records.
• Maintain plants on campus green roofs.
• Apply fertilizer, chemicals, seed, and top dressing for all the landscaping on campus.
• Provide aid during weather emergencies for snow and ice removal.
• Climb ladder up to 40 feet in height.
• Conduct daily maintenance checks on ground equipment to ensure everything is in working order and good repair.
• Maintain grounds equipment maintenance records.
• Assists with special events set-up and break down on campus.
• Operate snowplows, tractors, front end loader, spreaders, aerators, rollers, mowers, rotary mowers, walk behind mowers, zero turn mowers, hedge trimmers, and string trimmers.
• Perform daily assignments and projects set by the department supervisor.
• Stay in direct contact with the department supervisor and report any maintenance problems in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with all school constituents to coordinate activities and projects, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information regarding maintenance, care and use of grounds.
• Possess the ability to operate all related machinery and equipment.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of MS Office products and School Dude (Brightly)
• Degree in horticulture or work experience commensurate with role
• Three to four years of experience and fundamental knowledge of landscape equipment
• Ability to identify evergreen and deciduous shrubs
• Understanding of correct pruning and mulching practices
• Dependable and cooperative
• Must be available to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays for snow removal and emergencies.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and be insurable.
• Background check is required.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing, walking, and sitting doing sedentary work required daily.
• Groundskeepers need to be in good physical shape due to the strenuous nature of the job.
• Be able to stand and walk for most of the day.
• Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.
• Requires physical exertion to manually lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials
• Requires stooping, kneeling, crawling, bending, turning, and reaching
• Requires climbing and balancing
• Must work indoors and outdoors year round
• Must work in and around dust, fumes, and odors.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact info of three references, all as attachments, to View email address on us.fitly.work. Please include “Horticulturalist” in the subject line.

Germantown Friends School is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity in its student body, faculty and staff. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status. People demonstrating a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism in education are encouraged to apply. For more information about the school, please visit our website at

Germantown Friends School is a Quaker, independent, co-educational day school, serving early childhood-12th grade. Located in northwest Philadelphia, the school is home to a vibrant intellectual community, located in a historic neighborhood, serving a diverse school community, with a robust educational program that is grounded in Quaker principles. For more information about the school, visit