Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Facilities and Landscapes, the Landscape Gardener (LG) will assist in the maintenance and preservation of Drayton Hall’s historic and modern landscapes. The LG will work with other Drayton Hall Preservation Trust staff contributing to the achievement, support, and compliance of established and future landscape objectives as outlined in Drayton Hall’s Landscape Master Plan, 2030 Strategic Plan, and as new projects and plans are initiated.

Drayton Hall is a co-stewardship site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, independently managed and operated by the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, with its own staff, benefits and employment polices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the overall success of Drayton Hall in achieving its mission.
• Maintain and present the Garden landscape according to the highest professional horticultural standards.
• Follow proper Horticulture Garden planting techniques, watering, fertilizing, and mulching; planting and pruning of flowers, shrubs, hedges, and trees; removal of invasive plant material and dead plant material; turf maintenance including trimming, mowing, pest control, fertilizing.
• Oversee the operation, inventory, and maintenance of assigned landscape tools, equipment, and machinery.
• Provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations within selected landscape and garden areas.
• Supervise and direct Landscape Garden Volunteers in their varied gardening tasks.
• Ensure that all property signs and garden interpretation are well maintained and unobstructed.
• Assist in emergency storm preparations and recovery, as required.
• Develop knowledge of the site and its history by attending enhancement programs and reviewing the site landscape plans and horticulture documents.
• Attend all meetings as required and help ensure effective communications.
• Become knowledgeable in site security procedures.
• Assist with special events and programming as needed, including arriving early and staying late to open/close the site, some evenings, weekends, or holidays might be required.
• Work as a cooperative member of a team, and be willing to lead, follow, and support colleagues in a tactful, positive way.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to work outdoors in high humidity, hot and cold temperatures, bright sun or shaded environments, and windy conditions. The employee may have exposure to moderate noise, crowds at functions or events, and at times flying insects that sting and/or bite.

The employee may have to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Horticulture with minimum 1-year applied work experience.
• Horticulture-based Internship and/or Research Assistant involvement.
• Applied knowledge of Landscape/Garden Design, Integrated Pest Management, Nuisance Wildlife Control
• South Carolina Herbicide and Pesticide certification highly desired; or ability to earn certification within 12 months from start date.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and maintain landscape equipment including tractors, commercial mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, woodchippers, and other power equipment.
• Possess a valid SC Driver’s License along with a safe driving record.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Greenhouse Operations and Management
• Ensure all work is performed in a safe manner; also demonstrate an understanding of instructions and deadlines yet take initiative and work independently.

TO APPLY:

Do not submit resumes via the National Trust jobs page upload link. Instead, please send a resume and cover letter to Jeff McNeely either by email or mail.

Drayton Hall Preservation Trust

Attn: Jeff McNeely

3380 Ashley River Rd.

Charleston, SC 29414

Jeff McNeely- jmcneely@draytonhall.org

PAY & BENEFITS