Job Description
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
This is a unique position suited for someone who already has high-end landscape maintenance & installation, and organic agricultural experience but wants to learn a great deal more.
The primary location for 2-3 days/week is the 3-acre private residence of a professional landscape designer in Sebastopol with a small farm. Here, you will be working either alone, alongside the owner, or with another Custom Landscapes employee. Subsequent days will be spent working with Custom Landscapes on a larger landscape crew at private residences in the greater Bay Area.
About us: Custom Landscapes is a full-service landscape installation and maintenance company specializing in high-end residential landscapes. We collectively have many decades of experience in installing new gardens and landscapes, using regenerative practices, and offering cutting-edge plant health care, for many designers, homeowners, and some commercial clients, in the greater Bay Area. All pest and disease control methods are first addressed with natural, non-toxic products.
Custom Landscapes works primarily for discerning residential and commercial clients all over the Bay Area. Confidentiality, trust, and excellent communication are the hallmarks of our working relationship. We take pride in establishing work crews made up of knowledgeable individuals who care about and respect our clients’ privacy. We also make every effort to dedicate teams to specific projects (estates, farms, vineyards, etc.) so our clients become familiar with the individuals tending to their property or grounds.
General Crew Responsibilities: - All aspects of installing hardscapes (concrete, stone, wood, ponds, fountains, fences, walls, decks, steps, trellises, gates, lighting) and softscapes in residential and commercial settings
- Working alongside our PHC (Plant Health Care) Manager in maintaining existing and newly established gardens
- Identifying, planting, and caring for native and non-native ornamental and edible plant and tree species
- Using eco-friendly pest management practices
- Communicating and collaborating regularly and clearly with co-workers and managers and clients
- Balancing your time and projects between Sebastopol and greater Bay Area
General Requirements:
- Experienced. A least two years of experience using hand tools and landscape equipment safely is important.
- Knowledgeable. Having knowledge of native plants, irrigation systems, and organic gardening is essential.
- Hardworking. In this position, you’ll need to hustle for at least 6 hours per day.
- I nterested in horticulture, gardening, farming, propagation, soil health, arboriculture and/or ecology.
- Safe. You know when to use safety goggles, gloves, sun protection, and you use proper lifting techniques to prevent injury, etc.
- Physically fit and able to lift +/- 50 pounds throughout the day is essential
- Driving and transportation: All candidates must have a current and clean California Driver’s License, plus a means of transportation to job sites between Sebastopol and other Bay Area locations.
- Discreet. You know how to respect and maintain privacy of clients and their properties.
- Able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
- Bonus points for:
- Farming or organic gardening experience
- Hand/Power tool experience
- Safety training
- Knowing how to use a tractor, rototiller, chainsaw
- Certification in plant health care or pesticide application is a plus
- Coursework in horticulture or anything related to gardening or permaculture a plus
Sebastopol-specific Job Duties – landscape areas and culinary garden:
- Weeding (hand and trimmer)
- Drip irrigation maintenance
- Compost building and application (including compost tea brewer onsite)
- Plant propagation
- Mulching
- Gopher trapping
- Pond and fountain maintenance and repair
- Tool and Greenhouse upkeep and organization
- Harvesting herbs for hydrosol and essential oil production
- Fruit tree pruning
- Assistance with a small flock of chickens
Specific Skills Required:
- Advanced horticultural knowledge of landscape and culinary plants, trees, and flowers, including CA natives
- Advanced knowledge of common landscape weeds and pests and organic control methods
- Advanced drip irrigation skills
- Experience and knowledge of typical annual task schedule for landscape, ornamental and culinary gardens
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn how to care for chickens
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn how to trap gophers and moles
- Ability to prioritize, stay on task, and be self-directed while staying in communication with owner
- Ability to take direction, learn new skills, and take constructive criticism confidently
- Excellent organizational, problem-solving and time management skills
- Understanding of how to care for tools and equipment
- Skilled communicator in regular reports and meetings with owner
- Respect and maintain privacy and confidentiality of owner and property
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly rate will be between $20.00 and $25.00 commensurate with experience
Schedule: M-through-F, year-round with weekend work available from time to time
After 90 days of employment - 401(k)
- Dental, optical and medical insurance paid 50% by the company
- Paid time off; earned as you work
- 5 paid holidays
- 3 bereavement days
- Employee referral program
- Professional development
- Safety equipment provided
How to apply
- Ensure that your resume contains the following at the top: Name, cell phone number, personal email address, and the town where you’re currently living or plan to move.
- Ideally, save the file as a .PDF and upload it along with a cover letter or brief message explaining why you’re the best person for this position.
- If you are sent an invitation to take a survey, please take it within 72 hours of receipt. You will receive a copy of the survey results immediately upon completing it. If your natural workplace behavior is a good fit to this role and team, you’ll be contacted within four business days.
Thank you in advance for your interest in Custom Landscapes and Gardening Service | clandscapes.com
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Immediate start, Weekend work, 2 days per week, 3 days per week,