Employment at McCrory Gardens
Accepting applications until position is filled.
Seasonal Irrigation Technician
Accepting Applications: Jan. 23-March 31, 2025
Number of Positions: 1
Season: Full time (40 hours per week) — April 1, 2025-Jan. 31, 2026
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 pm. Monday-Friday (some weekend and evening hours may be required)
Pay: According to experience and qualifications — starting at $15/hour
2025 Seasonal Gardener Description
Job Description:
The seasonal irrigation technician will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, under the general supervision of the crew leader and director of horticulture and grounds. The seasonal irrigation technician will play an important role in maintaining McCrory Gardens and its variety plantings during the spring, summer and fall seasons through the operation, installation, maintenance and repair of manual, semiautomatic and automatic irrigation systems. Together with a team of gardeners, volunteers and maintenance technicians, as well as the McCrory Gardens administration team, the seasonal irrigation technician’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Primary Tasks:
- Assist with preventative maintenance of designated system.
- Assist in maintaining and recording irrigation parts inventory.
- Check irrigation system daily for leaks.
- Monitor and perform irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought.
- Perform all maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.
- Scheduling and monitoring of automatic irrigation systems.
- Perform all routine maintenance of water features (fountains, waterfall, etc.).
- Install new irrigation systems.
- Update irrigation maps.
- Assist with Garden Glow setup and operation.
Secondary Tasks:
Employees will be trained on:
- Assist in planting of 30,000-plus annuals, perennials, vines, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees.
- Install various annual display beds as well as containers;
- Care for a variety of plantings located throughout McCrory Gardens.
- Perform seasonal landscape work including pruning, cleanup, bulb planting, dividing and transplanting.
- Stage equipment, supplies and materials for daily operations.
- Operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and vehicles needed for daily operations.
- Participate in trash removal procedures, as needed.
- Maintain highest standards for cleanliness and order throughout McCrory Gardens.
- Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks.
Requirements:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to lift 25 pounds.
- Willing to work in all types of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, under strenuous conditions.
- Team player, creative and organized.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work alone and in groups.
- Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction.
- Strong work ethic.
- Background check required.
Preferred Skills/Qualifications:
- Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in a related field (horticulture, landscape architecture, etc.).
- Knowledgeable about hand tools and small machinery a plus.
- Driver’s license preferred.
- Basic irrigation/plumbing skills a plus.
- Strong gardening skills.
Seasonal Arborist
Accepting Applications: June 9 – Until Filled
Number of Positions: two
Season: full time (40 hr./week) – June 10 – Nov. 21
Opportunities for part time hours during spring and fall semesters for student employees.
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Pay: According to experience and qualifications – starting at $15.00/hr.
2025 Seasonal Arborist Description
Job Description:
The seasonal arborist will be an employee of McCrory Gardens and South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University, under the general supervision of the director of horticulture and grounds. The seasonal arborist will play an important role in maintaining the 45-acre South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State Arboretum at McCrory Gardens during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The seasonal arborist’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:
Primary Tasks:
- Tree and shrub pruning, removal, planting, propagation, etc.
- Mowing, string trimming, weeding, etc.
- Scout for pests and disease and correctly manage via pesticides or cultural practices.
- Stage equipment, supplies and materials for daily operations.
- Operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and vehicles needed for daily operations.
- Participate in trash removal procedures, as needed.
- Maintain highest standards for cleanliness and order throughout McCrory Gardens.
- Maintain equipment and tools needed to perform daily tasks.
- Assist with the Garden Glow set up/take down for any early season and late season staff.
Requirements:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to lift 25 lbs.
- Willing to work in all types of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, under strenuous conditions.
- Team player, creative and organized.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work both alone and in groups.
- Enthusiastic, work to high standards and ability to take direction.
- Strong work ethic.
- Background check required.
Preferred Skills/Qualifications:
- Experience using chainsaws of varying sizes safely and efficiently.
- Obtained or currently pursuing a degree in a related field, (Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, etc.)
- Commercial Pesticide Applicators License (certification obtained once hired at no personal cost).
- Knowledgeable about hand tools and small machinery a plus.
- Driver’s license preferred.
- Completion of HO 339 – Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.
- Strong gardening skills.
- Demonstrated ability of hardy plant care appropriate to the region.
- Demonstrated ability to identify trees and shrubs appropriate to the region.
Please call us at 605-688-6707 or email Chris Schlenker or Hannah Stolt for any questions or more information.
* Winter Hours (November 1 - April 30) 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
* Extended hours for special events and holiday shopping.