Position: Horticultural Assistant
Department: Horticulture
Supervisor: Director of Buildings and Grounds, Horticulturist
Supervises: Not Applicable
Classification: FLSA Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Position Summary:
The Horticulture Assistant executes daily landscape, garden, and estate maintenance under the direct guidance of the Horticulturist and Director of Buildings and Grounds. This outdoor role maintains premium visual standards across the Fiddlerโs Elbow property, including active golf course surrounds, a working farm, and a dedicated pollination garden. The assistant performs hands-on plant care, soil management, pest control, and seasonal installations, ensuring all grounds meet luxury standards. This position requires constant attention to detail, care, creativity, and a high level of professionalism.
Essential Functions:
- Perform weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching, edging, planting, and plant removal across club grounds.
- Assistwith on-site agricultural/vegetable farm production and care for native plants in the pollination garden.
- Monitor plant vitality,identifypests/weeds, manage watering systems, and apply fertilizers under certified supervision.
- Serve as "compost captain" to oversee organic recycling and keep planted areas tidy.
- Jointly or independently direct volunteers in gardencollectionmaintenance and care.
- Maintain personal tools, property machinery, and site facilities in safe, working order.
- Communicate regularly with the Directorof Buildings and Grounds and Horticulturistregardinggarden needs, planned upgrades, and container design.
- Interact courteously with members, guests, and staff, andassistwith social media content or workshops.
- Participate in special club events with occasional evening or weekend duty assignments.
Core Competencies & Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of plant care, pruning techniques, weed/pest identification, and botanical names.
- Safe operation of hand tools, shovels, rakes, trowels, pruning shears, loppers, mowers, trimmers, and utility vehicles.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in both written and verbal interactions.
- High attention to detail, dependability, cooperation, flexibility, and a self-motivated attitude.
Required Education & Experience:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- High School Graduate or equivalent.
- Previousprofessional horticultural, landscaping, or agricultural experience preferred.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and understand the predominant language of club members and guests.
Physical Requirements, Working Conditions & Safety:
- Ability to stand, kneel, bend, stoop, crouch, and walk forlong periodsof time.
- Ability to lift, move, and carry heavy objects weighing up to 50+ pounds (e.g., soil bags, large planter pots).
- Reaching, wiping, and safe handling of sharp gardening tools and basic maintenance machinery.
- Ability to handle multiple physical tasks at once in a fast-paced environment.
- Primarily outdoor work environments with exposure to variable weather conditions (heat, wind, rain, etc.).
- Flexible availability forearly morning shifts.
- Prolonged exposure to sun, heat, wind, and outdoor environmental elements.
- Risk of physical strain from lifting heavy materials and repetitive physical labor.
- Exposure tosharp objects, motorized gardening tools, and agricultural machinery.
Why Join the Fiddlerโs Family?
Benefits for ALL Staff Members:
- Competitive pay with career advancement and continuing education opportunities.
- Consistent schedule providing 2 days off per week.
- Club privileges: Golf, Paddle/Tennis, and Fitness access.
- Paid Sick Leave and PLUM Benefits.
- Annual summer and holiday staff events.
- 401(k) Plan eligibility after 1 year of employment.
Additional Benefits for Full-Time Staff
- Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and vision insurancepackage.
- Flexible Spending & Dependent Care Accounts.
- Paid Time Off (Vacation and Holidays).
- Company-provided Life Insurance.