Weekend Gardener Botanical Garden

This position is a part-time position that provides an opportunity to participate in many areas of botanical garden operations. Performs a variety of manual labor tasks as assigned. Work consists of routine and repetitive tasks, processes, and/or operations and will be performed cooperatively with other employees and completed in a manner that assures individual, co-worker, and public safety in all weather and working conditions. Employee mostly works independently on the basis of clear instructions. Work is to be completed with appropriate efficiency and in a manner, that commands the respect of or demonstrates appropriate courtesy to, co-workers, and the public.

Hours:

16-28 hours per week. Saturday and Sunday 8am-4:30pm required; holiday availability preferred. Potential to work up to 12 additional hours during the weekdays.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform grounds and garden maintenance operations including weeding, pruning, raking, deadheading, planting, backpack blowing, sweeping and trash and debris removal.
• Special event set-up and take down.
• Interacting with public, volunteers and garden staff.
• Plant identification and mapping.
• Communicate with plant records staff when plants are moved, added to or removed from the collections.
• Removal of invasive species including manual vegetation control.
• Work around a variety of garden user groups and the general public.
• Work directly with volunteer groups and city staff during special projects and events.
• Limited office work, inventory management, and related minor administrative duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:SeeJob Classification

• Ability to multi-task, handle frequent interruptions.
• Ability to respond to public questions and inquiries.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to learn to operate safely the equipment and machinery necessary to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to listen and understand direction/instruction, communicates with team members, and responds to customers tactfully and courteously.
• Ability to learn how to access information in BBG plant database.
• Ability to locate plants on garden’s mapping system.
• Must be able to communicate effectively.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of plants and growing requirements.
• Basic mechanical skills and manual dexterity.
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance processes, techniques, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of and familiarity with hand-held power tools and related maintenance equipment.
• Exposure/experience adhering to safety rules and procedures.
• Cultural competence and the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• High school diploma or a GED.
• Two years’ experience in grounds and garden maintenance.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Physical Demands:SeeJob Classification

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking; talking; hearing; using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reaching with hands and arms.
• Pulling, pushing, climbing, standing, bending, or stooping for extended periods.
• Lifting, carrying, or crawling.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.
• Exposure may include traffic, fumes, chemicals, flying debris, or noise.
• Employees with exposure will be required to provide and wear leather, steel-toed, or equivalent protective footwear (ANSI approved).
• Employees must be willing and able to work outside in all weather conditions and provide weather-related gear if/as needed such as rain gear and/or coat.
• Employees must provide and wear work clothing appropriate to their duties. Some tasks require a long-sleeved shirt.

Supplemental Information

This is a part-time, non-exempt, union position, (Teamsters Local #763).

Definition of a Part-time Employee:

• Will clearly average 28 hours per week or less
• Note: Will be considered full-time and eligible for medical coverage if hours average 30 hours per week or more over a 12-month measurement period (or 130 hours per month)

For more information, call Erik Sigurdson at 425-864-1627 or via email at esigurdson@bellevuewa.gov. For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.