Job description

Job Description –­ Assistant Private Maintenance Gardener
Independent Contractor part time (16- 24 hrs/wk)

About this company
Founded in 2009 by Master Gardener, Geri Miller, HGEL’s mission is to teach both private and commercial clients how to use their landscapes in a productive and sustainable way using organic methods. Our focus is on designing edibles landscapes but we also specialize in raised bed systems and low water-­use landscapes using California native and drought tolerant plant material. We also offer maintenance services and group and private lessons. In 2013 we opened The Cook’s Garden by HGEL on Abbot Kinney in Venice. TCG is an urban farm growing primarily for restaurants, retail nursery, outdoor classroom and garden shop.

About this job HGEL’s residential/commercial practice has grown its client base to support an additional part time position.

This position will be maintaining our private client gardens in the Beverly Hills, Brentwood, West LA and South Bay areas. PLEASE: we believe keeping our carbon footprint as small as possible is important so apply only if you live within a 15-20 mile radius of this area of LA. Customer service is as important as your ability as an organic gardener. You must enjoy working with people and treat each client as you would a family member and each garden as you would your own. As a standout applicant, you should be able to maintain edible gardens to HGEL’s high standards from both an aesthetic and production perspective. Skill in communicating with and supporting the other members of the HGEL team is very important.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage and maintain private clients’ organic gardens including:
• o transplanting, propagating additional plant material when needed
• o soil management
• o fertilizing
• o pest and disease management
• o harvesting, pruning
• o orchard care when applicable: citrus, pomes, berries and stone fruit
• o propagation
• Assist senior manager or principal in seasonal garden transitions
• Give supervisor email updates of what work you performed at each visit and any recommendations for action to be taken by client prior to your next visit
• Immediately advise principal of any problems that you feel you cannot be solved on your own

Requirements

• 4 year or associate degree or certification in horticulture, agriculture, urban farming or related field or certification as a Master Gardener, UC Victory Gardener or permaculturist and
• At least 2 years experience growing and maintaining edible gardens
• Thorough knowledge of all facets of principles, practices and techniques of organic, sustainable/regenerative and permaculture practices
• Ability to diagnose and problem‐solve using organic methods
• Working knowledge of irrigation systems especially drip irrigation and ability to perform minor repairs
• Ability to perform hard physical work and move heavy items from time to time
• Working knowledge of basic office software such as Word and Excel
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Must be able to utilize email and access the internet
• Current CA drivers license and auto insurance
• Vehicle in good operating condition (vehicle capable of transporting small loads of plants and materials preferred)

Initial application process includes brief written exam on horticultural principles relating to growing edibles in order to assess skill level.

Compensation commensurate with experience and skill level (range is $15.50 - $20/hr).

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

January 18, 2016