Job Description
ORGANIZATION: Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants/plant masses overall.
POSITION SUMMARY: Assists with overall plant production operations of the Greenhouse and nursery. Responsible for planting and maintaining AC/PC lot beds on the grounds, planted with annuals. Assists with floral tributes and other services for both lot-owners and visitors.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Perform all the duties necessary for plant production in the Greenhouses including, but not limited to, propagation, pricking out, stepping up, transplanting, watering, fertilizing and weeding.
- Keep the greenhouses, head house, and nursery well-organized and clean.
- Assist in the initial planting of annuals in more than 300 AC/PC lot beds of an average 8 sq ft size.
- Perform all duties necessary for the care and maintenance of AC/PC lot flowerbeds planted with annuals, including watering, fertilizing, trimming, weeding, edging, deadheading and plant replacement.
- Maintain plants in nursery complex, including cut flower garden, outdoor potted plants and hoop-houses. Weed, water, and otherwise care for plant material as needed. Assist with maintenance of infrastructure such as changing poly covers and weed cloth on schedule.
- Assist in the preparation of floral decorations for sale in the flower shop and for perpetual care customers, including cut flower arrangements in vases, basket bouquets, log baskets, sprays, potted plants, wreaths, niche bouquets, etc.
- Place floral tributes on graves throughout the year as needed.
- Assist with volunteers as needed, both individuals and groups.
- May be required to perform other duties as requested by the Greenhouse/Nursery Manager to assist other Sections or Departments, including working outside the greenhouse/nursery complex.
- May be required to drive Mount Auburn vehicle off site to pick up plants or supplies.
- Follow all Cemetery safety policies and procedures related to assigned tasks, including wearing personal protective equipment (eye and hearing protecting, gloves, etc.), proper handling of chemicals, ladder safety, and lifting and moving heavy objects. Bring unsafe conditions to the attention of the Greenhouse/Nursery Manager and make suggestions to improve safe working practices.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Driver’s license
- One year of greenhouse work experience
- One year of horticulture/gardening experience
- Ability to communicate successfully with staff, outside vendors and contractors, lot owners, customers and visitors
- Ability to use radio communications equipment
REQUIRED PHYSICAL DEMANDS: - Ability to use a variety of horticultural tools and equipment such as hand-held sprayers, rototillers and hand-pruners, and moving in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments for extended periods of time including, remaining in a stationary position and/or performing activities such as climbing, bending, twisting, reaching and pulling.
- Heavy work that includes moving, adjusting, or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis including shoveling soil and mulch, and lifting flats of plants, bags of soil, fertilizer, lime and peat moss
- Ability to work in all seasons, including harsh weather conditions
Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Tags
For contractors, Work experience placement, Seasonal work, Outdoor,