ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the supervision of the Director of Horticulture, the Grounds Maintenance Tech maintains, and beautifies the city of Charleston’s parks and greenspaces. They will work with the horticulture team members, volunteers, and the community to create stunning public spaces and establish a connection between people and their parks. They will be expected to fulfill and execute the following responsibilities and tasks.

• Performs landscaping duties to include mowing, weed eating, edging, spraying Charleston Parks Conservancy managed parks
• Performs regular park maintenance to include, but limited to weeding, pruning, planting, watering, picking up debris, picking up litter, and digging
• Responsible for working with the Director and Hort team to determine task lists for volunteers
• Helps to enhance the volunteer experience with by taking a volunteer training orientation
• Assists with training of Volunteers to help water and maintain seasonal displays
• Helps the Horticulture team to maintain all existing parks, greenspaces and gardens including new installations, weeding, watering, pruning and grooming, composting, mulching, mowing, identifying insect and disease problems and treating
• Works with and trains volunteers participating in Garden in the Parks program in coordination with, and the support of the Volunteer Manager
• Ensures that all vehicles are cleaned out and that tools are cleaned and organized properly
• Provides content to support social media programs
• Interacts with City of Charleston staff as needed
• May assist at Conservancy community and fundraising events

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Some knowledge of plants and weed identification preferable but not required
• Ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions and perform activities related to the planting and care of plants and gardens
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to drive pick-up trucks and trailers
• Ability to operate and maintain simple power equipment
• Excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and community/users of our parks.
• Ability to teach others through hands-on methods; enjoy working with volunteers who may have minimal gardening experience.
• Evening & weekend availability may be required
• Ability and the desire to work either alone or with a team and volunteers
• Strong attention to detail
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

• One to three years of work experience in grounds or landscape maintenance preferred
• Previous experience with landscaping equipment such as, but not limited to blowers, edgers, string trimmers, and knowledge of their maintenance
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of the Charleston community and interest in parks and green spaces is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will spend a large majority of time walking, standing, bending, kneeling, crawling, crouching and using their hands to push and pull. The employee is required to lift and /or move up to 20 to 50 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to hot or cold temperatures, outside weather conditions across all seasons, exposure to dust and dirt and chemicals. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods of time
• Physical ability to work outside in all types of weather conditions

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

SCHEDULE

• 40 hours per week/ Hourly Rate
• Monday through Friday with some evenings or weekends helping with events
• Must report in even when possibility of inclement weather unless directed by the Director of Horticulture

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$17-20/hour based upon experience

Years of Employment Paid Time Off

• 0 - 2 years 5 days per calendar year
• 3 years 10 days per calendar year

11 Paid holidays the week between Christmas and New Years

Cell phone stipend

Health benefits

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter to kwhite with the subject Grounds Maintenance Technician 2024. Applications will be accepted until the role is filled. Please no phone calls.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Charleston, SC 29407: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person