2025-2026 HORTICULTURE APPRENTICE
Posted 9 days ago
2025-2026 HORTICULTURE APPRENTICE
Oak Spring Garden Foundation - Virginia (Upperville)
SUMMARY OF POSITION The HA position provides hands-on and practical horticultural experience in a formal garden, greenhouse and cut flower garden setting. The HA will gain experience in a wide range of horticultural tasks, with some consideration given to the specific areas of interest and background of the successful candidate. The HA, working with the Head Gardener and others on the Garden Team, will be responsible for maintaining the excellence of horticulture at OSGF with the main focus on the formal walled Garden and surrounding areas, including the formal greenhouse. The HA will receive opportunities to expand their experience in pruning, planting, cultivation and harvesting in garden, greenhouse, cut-flower garden settings, as well as the management of weeds and invasive species. The HA will have opportunities to interact with staff working in other areas at OSGF, including the Garden Team, Arboriculture, Conservation and Landscape Team (“ACL”), the Biocultural Conservation Farm Team (“BCCF”), the Communications Team, the Library Team and the Programs Team. RESPONSIBILITIES ? Work closely with the Head Gardener and other members of the Garden Team to ensure that the formal garden and landscape is maintained to a high standard and in a style that respects the principles established by Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. ? Proper care, treatment and ongoing maintenance of the formal garden, display greenhouse, production greenhouse, and adjacent spaces including watering, planting, weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching and propagation of cultivated species. ? Assisting with planting, removal and dividing of both annual and perennials, and also the cultivation of vegetables planted in the formal garden. ? Preparing planting beds and evaluating plants for overall health, including identifying and addressing problems with diseases and insect pests. ? Working with the ACL Team on on-site composting and recycling of garden organic waste. ? Assisting with the ordering of supplies and materials for the garden. ? Assisting with, and performing, tours of the formal gardens, formal greenhouse, landscape and act as a representative and ambassador of OSGF for potential future employees, external guests, and others. ? Liaising with the BCCF Team to ensure that vegetables produced in the formal garden do not go to waste. ? Assisting with propagation of plants and seed collection, and contributing to the development of protocols for these processes. ? Other special projects as assigned by the Head Gardener. ? Other duties as assigned. Schedule: Full-time, fixed term position – Monday through Friday (40 hours a week), with some weekend and evening hours some flexibility in hours. Start Date: Beginning May 2025 (or soon thereafter once the position is filled) through May 2026. Location: Upperville, VA (housing potentially available, if needed); The Oak Spring Garden estate is located in rural northern Virginia, 15 minutes from the nearest town. Having access to a car is desirable, but not essential. Pay Rate: $20/hr. Paid holidays and PTO are also provided. Onsite accommodations may be available. WORKING CONDITIONS Position will be mainly outdoors in all types of weather. The HA must be comfortable in a variety of settings - both indoors and outdoors. This position will also be exposed to a wide variety of temperatures likely including extreme heat and cold.
Required Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS ? Relevant coursework or work experience in horticulture and landscape management. ? Ability to meet physical requirements of working outside, in varied weather conditions in a garden space. ? Capacity to operate normal garden machinery. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ? Basic working knowledge of horticulture and landscape practices including tree pruning, gardens, open space land management and ecological land management. ? Basic working knowledge of current trends and practices in environmentally sustainable horticulture. ? Ability to work with garden and farm equipment. ? Ability to do repetitive tasks. ? Ability to work independently and also as a part of a team. ? Excellent time-management, communication and organizational skills. ? Ability to concentrate on a task for long periods of time without being distracted. ? Dependable and collaborative team player. ? Must have physical stamina to participate in rigorous outdoor activities. ? Ability to exhibit safe and responsible conduct in outdoor environments. ? Ability to lift at least 30 pounds.