What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Center Associate / Equipment Operator position at Snow's Garden Center?
JOB DESCRIPTION: Garden Center Associate / Equipment Operator
Background
Serving the community for over 114 years, Snow’s Garden Center has grown into one of the premier garden centers in Central Virginia. We carry all the horticultural products customers need to garden successfully and carry out landscape operations for their small businesses. We have the knowledge and experience to guide them through the challenges of soil and climate here in Jefferson's Country.
Snow Knows, Inc is hiring a Garden Center Associate to support our retail operation. If you’re the type of person who takes pride in quality work, likes to influence other team members for the better, and cares deeply about the customer experience — this role is built for you!
We’re not just looking for someone who can water plants. We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with the public, maintaining high standards, and representing the Snow Knows brand here in Charlottesville.
Who We Are
Snow Knows, Inc is a high-performance landscape and outdoor living company built around a simple mission: Build beautiful spaces, serve people well, and create a company culture that feels like family.
We believe culture matters. We believe work should be meaningful. We believe leadership is service. And we believe you can build a great career while still having a life outside of work.
All Snow’s associates deliver unparalleled customer service while maintaining a nursery that is safe, neat, and prepared with the garden products that our customers need. As a Garden Center Associate you will:
- Greet customers and guide them to appropriate landscape solutions.
- Operate a cash register using our point-of-sale software.
- Answer phones and deliver messages to appropriate personnel.
- Regulate the health of our establishment by performing various irrigation, weeding, deadheading, and cleaning plant material and our nursery grounds.
- Maintain our products, back stock, and store-front for a daily show-ready appearance.
- Preparing for deliveries by loading and unloading trucks.
- Load bulk products utilizing a front-end loader, forklift, or other heavy-duty machinery (training provided).
- Create a customer-focused environment where our clients consistently enjoy an excellent experience within the culture of an independently-owned garden center.
- This is a SEASONAL job classification and is generally scheduled 32-40 hours with Saturdays and Mondays required. Opportunity to apply for Permanent Status. Closed on Sundays.
Preferred Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Prior experience in the landscape, agricultural, or nursery trade
Minimum Qualifications
- Current Driver’s License
- Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job duties in different kinds of weather
- Minimally must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Compensation and Opportunities
- Salary $16.00-18.00 per hour range, commensurate with experience
- 30% employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Professional development opportunities, including certifications and industry training
- Opportunities for advancement based upon performance and diversification of job duties
We want nursery associates that are:
✅ Experienced – bring your knowledge and share it with us!
✅ Reliable – shows up early, prepared, and consistent
✅ Respectful – can lead with firmness and care
✅ Values-Driven – integrity, gratitude, kindness, strong character
✅ Customer-Focused – understands our store should feel like home
✅ Prideful in Craftsmanship – quality, lines, levels, finish work, cleanup
If you’ve ever said, “I want to be part of a team that does it the right way,” you’ll fit in here!
Apply today.
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Professional development assistance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Retail Garden Center: 1 year (Preferred)
- Heavy equipment operation: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $16 - $18