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Descanso Gardens Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Descanso Gardens is a renowned nonprofit botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge, CA, welcoming 750,000+ visitors annually. Known for its world-class plant collections, seasonal displays, and ...

Descanso Gardens is a renowned nonprofit botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge, CA, welcoming 750,000+ visitors annually. Known for its world-class plant collections, seasonal displays, and ...

The department maintains four botanic gardens: the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. It also owns the ...

DESCANSO GARDENS - 47376001 Workdays/shifts : Varying shifts, days/hours (open availability preferred). More details will be provided during the interview process. Employment Type: Part-time Pay ...

Dishwasher

La Canada Flintridge, CA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

DESCANSO GARDENS - 47376002 Workdays/shifts : Varying shifts, days/hours (open availability preferred). More details will be provided during the interview process. Employment Type: Part-time Pay ...

DESCANSO GARDENS - 47376001 Workdays/shifts : Varying shifts, days/hours (open availability preferred). More details will be provided during the interview process. Employment Type: Part-time Pay ...

Lavaplatos

La Canada Flintridge, CA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

DESCANSO GARDENS - 47376002 Días laborables/turnos : Varying shifts, days/hours (open availability preferred) Se proporcionarán más detalles durante el proceso de entrevista. Tipo de empleo ...

Descanso Gardens information

What is the typical work environment like for employees at Descanso Gardens?

Employees at Descanso Gardens typically work in a dynamic outdoor setting, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and a variety of plant collections. Depending on the role, you may spend most of your time outdoors performing hands-on tasks or assisting visitors in visitor centers and events. Teamwork and collaboration among horticulture, maintenance, and guest services staff are common, and schedules can include weekends, holidays, or special events. Staff often experience a supportive, mission-driven culture that values education, conservation, and hospitality, offering rewarding opportunities to contribute to the preservation and enjoyment of the gardens.

What is a Descanso Gardens job?

A Descanso Gardens job refers to employment opportunities at Descanso Gardens, a botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge, California. Jobs may include roles in horticulture, guest services, education, maintenance, and administration. Employees help maintain the gardens, assist visitors, and support events and programs. Positions can be full-time, part-time, or seasonal, depending on the needs of the garden.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Descanso Gardens position, and why are they important?

To thrive at Descanso Gardens in roles such as horticulturist, groundskeeper, or visitor services associate, you need a solid background in botany or horticulture, hands-on gardening or landscape maintenance experience, and strong customer service skills. Familiarity with tools like pruning shears, irrigation systems, and scheduling or ticketing software is often required, and certifications in horticulture or landscaping are advantageous. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help staff effectively engage with visitors and collaborate on maintaining the gardens. These qualities are crucial for ensuring a beautiful, welcoming environment and a memorable guest experience at this renowned public garden.

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Infographic showing various Descanso Gardens job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Maintenance Technician

Descanso Gardens

La Canada Flintridge, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Descanso Gardens rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 20 rated visitor attractions


Job description

Position: Maintenance Technician

Department: Maintenance
Status: Full Time, Non-exempt, 40 hours per week Reports To: Garden Maintenance Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position reports directly to the Garden Maintenance Manager. Maintenance Technician performs a diverse variety of tasks related to building, grounds, and vehicle maintenance. This position requires skill in general electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and minor structural repairs. Carpentry, painting, and surface repair skills are required. Maintenance Technician requires a working knowledge of basic vehicle repair and maintenance for the company's fleet, which includes trucks, electric and gas carts, diesel tractors and skid steers, hydraulic lifts, and children's amusement train.

JOB CLASSIFICATION:

This is a full-time non-exempt position. The employee may be scheduled to work evening and/or weekend hours, depending on the organization's needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

  • Maintains and performs routine inspections under the supervision of the Garden Maintenance Manager of DG's vehicles and trains by using maintenance logs and a work order system. This includes, but is not limited to, regular scheduled maintenance, tire repairs, vehicle lighting repairs, battery replacement, and scheduled cleaning.

  • Performs general electrical repairs and maintenance, including but not limited to replacement of broken or defective light switches, sockets, outlets, bulbs, fixtures, and fluorescent tubes, per established schedule and work order process.

  • Performs HVAC repairs and maintenance, including, but not limited to, replacing or adjusting drive belts; maintains and adjusts motors, pumps, and compressors; and lubricates and checks heating, cooling, or ventilating systems for proper operations.

  • Repairs and paints interior and exterior surfaces.

  • Assists team with maintenance related to the MBR, Descanso's in-house water treatment plant. Responds

    effectively and efficiently when summoned to the maintenance needs of staff and visitors, including occasional

    emergency response.

  • Performs regular inspections of Descanso Gardens train, fleet, and interior and exterior lighting, electrical, and

    HVAC as assigned.

  • Assists with safety inspections as outlined in the Descanso Gardens IIPP safety plan.

  • Other duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

  • Works in a safe manner, using personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with OSHA and Descanso's IIPP. Participates in safety training meetings.

  • Keeps work areas, tools, and equipment in good/clean working condition for optimum performance and to prevent injury.

  • Adheres to the Code of Safe Practices when performing various job duties, which also includes the safety of staff, visitors, and volunteers, and communicates any hazard concerns as needed.

  • Operates vehicles and/or motorized equipment to perform maintenance tasks at worksite and/or remote offsite locations in accordance with the Cal-OSHA safety requirements and/or rules and regulations of the State.

  • Uses the inventory and purchase order system to request supplies and equipment.

  • Replaces glass in windows, doors, and partitions.

  • Completes basic carpentry projects and assists in construction projects.

  • Participates in group meetings to discuss projects and expectations.

  • Provides excellent customer service experience while working in public areas and interacting with garden visitors.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Computer, printer, phone, 2-way radio, tractor, skid steer (bobcat), boom-lift, 1/8th replica diesel train, electric carts, trucks, gardening equipment, irrigation tools, manual tools, and power tools, irrigation specialty tools, electric drain cleaner machine, and toilet auger. Electric table saw, hand saw, sanders, reciprocating saw, Dremel, oscillating multi-tool, grinders, drill press, welding equipment, torch, soldering iron, electronic devices to locate water pipes, electrical conduits, multimeter, cement mixer, and most common hand tools.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

  • Two years of experience and strong knowledge in either general building maintenance or in one or more of the standard building trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, vehicle repair, and painting.

  • Ability to assess situations quickly, make decisions, and exercise good judgment in routine or emergency situations.

  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and as a member of a team.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills required, including speaking clearly to diverse audiences, reading

    and writing standard and technical communications, documents, and manuals.

  • Valid Class C California Driver's License.

  • Various physical abilities. Physical demands are listed below.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The ability to walk, kneel, bend, stoop, sit, crouch, drive vehicles, and climb ladders.

  • Occasionally, we need to use waders to work in water and mud.

  • Ability to dig trenches for plumbing and irrigation lines.

  • The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs., occasionally, but not routinely.

  • Exposure to various noise levels daily.

  • Ability to work both indoors and outdoors as required

  • Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces

  • Ability to work extended periods of time, both walking and/or standing

Compensation: $23 - $27 per hour.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. I have received, reviewed, and fully understood the job description. I further understand that I am responsible for the satisfactory execution of the essential functions described.


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