Seasonal Gardener

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19 th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Works both individually and as part of a crew to maintain the shrubs and perennials across the grounds at Mount Auburn Cemetery as assigned by the Director of Gardens & Landscapes including but not limited to weeding, mulching, watering, pruning, bed preparation, planting, edging, fertilizing, picking up branches, and removing snow.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in general landscape gardening work, as described above, under the direction of a Horticulturist or Director of Gardens and Landscapes.
• Perform daily grounds sweeps as assigned to address any horticulture issues that arise and that impact the overall guest safety and experience.
• Perform other general grounds maintenance tasks which may include, but are not limited to, grass trimming, leaf mulching/pick up, removal of floral tributes, and picking up litter.
• Maintain attention to punctuality, accountability and efficiency.
• Manage time and attendance with mobile time clock system.
• Operate all vehicles and equipment safely, responsibly, and properly.
• Follow all Cemetery safety policies and procedures related to assigned tasks, including wearing personal protective equipment (eye and hearing protecting, gloves, etc.), proper handling of chemicals, ladder safety, and lifting and moving heavy objects. Bring unsafe conditions to the attention of the Director of Gardens & Landscapes.
• Represent Mount Auburn appropriately at all times when at work; in demeanor, attitude, uniform, and written & verbal communication.

• Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Gardens & Landscapes to assist other Departments or to improve the Mount Auburn landscape.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license required
• At least one year experience with maintenance of annuals, perennials, shrubs and/or groundcovers required
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team
• Ability to read a map of Cemetery grounds

• Ability to communicate successfully with staff, and visitors
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

REQUIRED PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently shovels soil and mulch, and to lifts up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Frequently operates a variety of hand tools and power equipment such as hand pruners, handsaws, pole saw, pole pruners, power pruners, string trimmers, leaf blowers, etc.
• Works outdoors in all weather.

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.