Apprentice Gardener

Overview:

The Apprentice Gardener works closely with the Gardener to support the care, maintenance, and seasonal enhancement of gardens, annual beds, and outdoor containers across multiple private residences. This position will take an active role in ensuring garden spaces and plant materials are healthy, attractive, and maintained to an exceptional standard throughout the year.

In partnership with the Gardener and Grounds & Landscape Manager, the Apprentice Gardener will support seasonal installations, ongoing garden and landscape needs, and the overall presentation of the properties. The position will work closely with the Principals to understand their preferences and ensure garden, plant, and floral selections and presentation align with their aesthetic and the needs of the residences.

Location & Hours:

This position will share time between residences in Ada and Holland Michigan, with greater time in Holland during the summer and shifting primarily to Ada outside of the summer season. Weekend hours are required in the summer months.

Our Unique Benefits:

We are intentional about enriching our employment experiences through a unique blend of benefit offerings that include:

• Robust health insurance options with competitive employer contributions.
• 401k retirement plan with a generous employer match of up to 7.5%.
• Paid time off programs include paid time off, paid holidays, and more.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Discounted memberships to MVP Sportsplex.

What You'll Do:

Gardens, Annual Beds, and Outdoor Containers

• Assist with the planting, ongoing care, and seasonal maintenance of annual flower beds and outdoor pots across the properties.
• Collaborate with the Principals and Gardener to plan and execute seasonal installations and removals, including spring, summer, fall, and holiday plantings, ensuring selections and presentation align with Principal preferences.
• Weed, water, deadhead, fertilize, prune, and otherwise maintain plant material to promote healthy growth and an exceptional appearance.
• Perform light pruning of shrubs and perennials, including boxwoods, hydrangeas, and other ornamental plantings.
• Assist with the ongoing care and upkeep of designated gardens throughout the properties.
• Collaborate with the grounds team to prepare garden beds and planting areas for seasonal installations, including migration and other groundwork as needed.
• Monitor plant health and proactively identify concerns related to pests, disease, watering, soil conditions, or other environmental factors.
• Recommend appropriate solutions and coordinate with the Grounds & Landscape Manager when additional treatment or support is needed.

Plant Procurement and Seasonal Planning

• Order plants, flowers, greens, soil amendments, and other gardening supplies needed for seasonal installations and ongoing maintenance.
• Source plant materials from local growers and vendors as appropriate, balancing quality, availability, and property needs.
• Coordinate and schedule plant and material deliveries and ensure deliveries are received and appropriately distributed across the properties.
• Plan ahead for seasonal needs, coordinating with the Principals on preferences and priorities to ensure plant materials and supplies are available in advance of installations.
• Coordinate decorative greens and plant materials for holiday pots and seasonal displays.
• Maintain appropriate gardening tools, materials, and supplies and communicate inventory or equipment needs to the Grounds & Landscape Manager.

Property and Household Support

• Collaborate with the grounds team and assist with broader landscape, garden, and property maintenance needs as time and seasonality allow.
• Provide general support to the team and vendors responsible for indoor plant care and floral arranging, as needed, while learning the Principals’ preferences and established standards for the residences.
• Assist with seasonal garden preparation, cleanup, transitions, and special projects, including the care of rose bushes and other specialty plantings.
• Help maintain outdoor spaces in a polished, guest-ready condition and proactively address or communicate issues that may impact the appearance of the properties.
• Provide additional grounds, property, or household support as seasonal needs and opportunities arise.
• Assist with seasonal and holiday needs as requested, with specific responsibilities developed based on household priorities and the needs of the team.
• Assist with other property or household needs as requested and appropriate to the role.
• Coordinate effectively with grounds and household staff to ensure work is completed efficiently and with consideration for the Principals’ schedules and use of the residences.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and discretion while working in and around private residences.

What You'll Bring:

• 3–5 years of professional gardening, groundskeeping, landscaping, horticulture, or related experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and seasonal outdoor plant care, including planting, watering, fertilization, pruning, soil preparation, and general plant health. Experience caring for indoor plants is a plus.
• Experience planting and maintaining annual beds and outdoor containers required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation between work locations required.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining gardens, grounds, and residences to exceptional, “Five Star” quality standards.
• Organized, proactive, and able to anticipate seasonal needs, coordinate materials and deliveries, manage supplies, and prioritize work across multiple properties.
• Responsible, flexible, dependable, and service-oriented, with a positive attitude and a strong sense of pride and ownership in the quality of work performed.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the Grounds & Landscape Manager, grounds team, household staff, vendors, and other service providers.
• Understands the unique nature of working within private residences and is committed to positively contributing to a professional, collaborative household staff environment.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the Principals’ privacy, schedules, and use of the residences, adjusting work and timing when necessary to preserve a quiet, peaceful, and minimally intrusive household environment.
• Exercises the highest level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality regarding the Principals, their family, residences, activities, and personal or business matters.
• Comfortable operating employer-provided gardening and grounds equipment safely and appropriately and seeking guidance from the supervisor when needed.
• Maintains a neat, professional appearance and is willing to adhere to established uniform and appearance standards.
• Flexibility in scheduling is essential to accommodate seasonal, property, and staffing needs, including occasional weekend and holiday work as required.

Essential Physical Demands:

• Required to wear appropriate employer-provided safety equipment in performance of job.
• Ability to lift forty (40) pounds to a maximum height of six (6) feet.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and remain standing on feet for lengthy periods of time.
• Ability to safely operate small landscape maintenance machinery, e.g. backpack blower, hedge clippers, etc.
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.