What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fine Gardener position at Hanley Landscape Design?
Company Overview
Hanley Landscape Design is a full-service landscape design-build firm based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. We create thoughtful, high-quality landscapes across Aquidneck Island and surrounding areas. Our team handles everything from design to construction, with a focus on detail, craftsmanship, and professionalism.
Your Day & Team Looks Like:
Your day begins at 6:45 AM at our Portsmouth office with a team meeting, followed by loading your vehicle with tools and materials for the day. During the spring and summer, you'll primarily work on fine gardening maintenance for estates throughout coastal Rhode Island, with a focus in Newport. If you're a plant person, you'll love the variety—every day brings something new at Hanley.
In addition to your maintenance work, you’ll help with planting and tree installations on our construction projects. As part of the final crew on many jobs, you’ll get to see the entire landscape come together from start to finish.
Our fine gardening crew leaders are all advanced horticulturists, so you’ll always have someone knowledgeable to learn from and ask questions. During the spring and fall, you’ll also assist with seasonal cleanups, focusing on detailed tasks such as deadheading, pruning, and pest management, work that our enhancement teams typically don’t handle.
Minimum Requirements:
- Strong plant knowledge
- Basic IPM and plant healthcare knowledge
- At least one year of fine gardening experience
- Ability to use landscape equipment and work in a field role in all weather conditions.
- Ability to be in a team and communicate clearly with both clients and crew
- Comfortable or can learn to read landscape plans
- Valid driver’s license and ability to work outdoors in varying conditions
Responsibilities Include:
- Performing fine gardening maintenance such as pruning, deadheading, weeding, and mulching.
- Monitoring plant health and identifying issues related to pests, disease, or soil conditions.
- Assisting with the installation of trees, shrubs, and perennials on landscape construction projects.
- Supporting seasonal garden work including spring and fall cleanups.
- Working collaboratively with crew leaders and horticulturists to ensure high-quality results.
- Maintaining clean, organized tools, vehicles, and job sites.
- Communicating effectively with team members and supervisors to ensure tasks are completed efficiently.
Bonus Points If You Have:
- Experience working with high-end residential landscapes
- A degree in plant science, land arch, or a related field.
- A custom cover letter (yes, we read them)
- Landscape design or sales experience
- ISA Certification
- Love plants and trees, like us!
Why Work With Us?
You’ll join a company that values quality over quantity. We’re small enough that your work will have an impact, and structured enough that you’ll be supported in the field. We take pride in our craft and our people.
Pay: $21.00 - $34.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please describe your experience with fine gardening in 1-4 sentences.
[Note: If you are not an experienced horticulturist, we reccomend applying for a role with our enhancement or landscape construction teams at https://www.hanleyri.com/jobs].
Experience:
- horticulture: 1 year (Required)
- herbaceous plant identification: 1 year (Preferred)
- woody plant identification: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $21 - $34