Lead Gardener

About Little River Cooperative

Little River Cooperative is South Florida’s premier edible gardening company. Our mission is to empower individuals through deep connections with food and ecology. We design, build, and maintain beautiful, interactive, and functional kitchen gardens that blend seamlessly with South Florida's unique, rugged beauty.

With over 15 years of experience spanning residential, educational, and hospitality settings, we prioritize biodiversity and ecological balance. Our designs incorporate native, drought-tolerant, and edible plants to support local wildlife, foster exploration, and inspire a deep connection between people and nature.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Lead Gardener to join our dedicated maintenance team. This role is responsible for managing client accounts and executing weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly maintenance visits for high-end kitchen gardens. The ideal candidate possesses robust knowledge of organic edible gardening, exceptional communication skills, and a collaborative mindset to lead a two-person team alongside a gardening assistant.

Key Responsibilities

• Logistics & Prep: Report to our Little River headquarters each morning, independently load the company van according to daily job specs, and navigate safely to 2–3 client sites per day.
• Garden Maintenance: Perform comprehensive upkeep of residential, restaurant, and school kitchen gardens following strict organic guidelines. Duties include soil work, trellising, fertilizing, pest management, harvesting, pruning, and succession planting.
• Irrigation Care: Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair drip irrigation systems to ensure optimal garden health.
• Client Relations: Act as a respectful, professional on-site liaison for clients, answering questions and providing exceptional customer service.
• Documentation: Effectively track and document jobs using high-quality photos and written logs within our designated smartphone application.
• Team Leadership: Manage workflow on-site, efficiently delegating tasks to a gardening assistant while maintaining a collaborative team dynamic.
• Company Standards: Uphold Little River Cooperative’s core values of safety, respect, professionalism, efficiency, and community stewardship.

Schedule Requirements

• Weekly Commitment: Availability for 3 full days per week (ideally Tuesday through Thursday).
• Daily Shift: Early morning start time at 6:00 AM to optimize daylight and beat the heat.
• Team Synchronizations: Availability on Mondays for a 1-hour virtual team meeting.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in agriculture, horticulture, or commercial gardening.
• Driving Record: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and comfort operating commercial cargo vehicles (e.g., Ford Transit).
• Technology: A personal smartphone capable of hosting our team app used for scheduling, client communication, and job documentation.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, and comfortably squat, kneel, bend over, and reach for extended periods in variable South Florida weather conditions.

The Ideal Candidate Possesses:

• Advanced knowledge of organic methods for edible gardening (pest management, harvesting, and succession planting).
• A strong, punctual work ethic with excellent time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (G Suite) and mobile applications.
• Competency with standard horticultural tools (shovels, hoes) as well as farm implements (flame weeders, broadforks).
• Basic carpentry, construction, or assembly skills, including the safe operation of common power tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to confidently explain and demonstrate gardening techniques to clients.
• A balance of big-picture strategic thinking and acute attention to fine details.

What We Offer

• A progressive, collaborative work environment within a growing small business.
• A highly competitive starting rate of $30/hour with clear pathways for professional growth.
• Complimentary access to Little River Cooperative educational workshops.
• Free starter plants from our nursery and seasonal fresh vegetables from French Farms.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your full name, phone number, and resume to mail@littlerivercooperative.com.

Use the subject line: Lead Gardener Application.

In your email body, please provide concise answers to the following questions:

• What specific element of this job description made you feel this position was the right fit for you?
• Why are your skills and background well-suited to this specific role?
• What do you consider to be your biggest professional or personal success?
• Please explicitly confirm that you have read, understood, and can meet the conditions of this role (schedule, location, and compensation).

Little River Cooperative is committed to supporting a diverse and multicultural team, and fostering an inclusive workplace. We consider all individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, age, sex, gender, disability, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you don’t meet every preferred qualification listed above, but are passionate about the role and possess relevant lived experience, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Pay: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid sick time
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30 - $40