Careers & Opportunities

Bartram’s Garden seeks to fill three Seasonal Gardeners positions within the Landscape and Facilities team that maintains this 45-acre Southwest Philadelphia asset as a dynamic civic common and river garden. The Seasonal Gardener’s responsibilities include general garden work, grounds maintenance, nursery care, and occasional event and volunteer support.

Duties and Responsibilities

• General garden work: Planting, pruning, watering, weeding, garden maintenance, mulching, leaf cleanup and assistance to garden staff on specific directed work in a variety of landscapes including botanical gardens, nursery, meadow, pond and wetlands.
• Grounds maintenance: General ground maintenance in and around the garden including mowing and small equipment use such as blowers and string trimmers.
• Volunteer and Visitor Engagement: Promote a positive visitor experience and support volunteer events as assigned. 
• Nursery Work: Occasional assistance with nursery care and maintenance; watering, weeding plant pots, up-potting/transplanting, tagging, propagation assistance, and nursery area maintenance.

• Support ongoing programs, horticulture, facilities, and special events as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Prior relevant horticultural experience and/or candidates currently seeking horticultural degree/certifications are preferred.
• A valid PA driver’s license is required.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and to perform physical tasks in all temperature and weather conditions. Kneeling, squatting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time and on uneven ground will be required.
• Ability to operate equipment and tools safely and efficiently including power and hand tools, saws, and other equipment.

• Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and religion.

• Experience working in communities of color, commitment to racial, economic, environmental and social justice.
• Openness to personal growth and new experiences
• Personal or professional familiarity with Southwest Philadelphia is preferred.

Schedule and Compensation

Running from mid-March through December 12^th, 2024, this is a non-exempt, seasonal position with an hourly rate of $16 and weekly schedule of up to 35 hours. Our site is open daily, and the Seasonal Gardener will be required to work occasional weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights.

Application Information
To apply please send your resume along with a brief note describing your interest in the position to . Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls please. The John Bartram Association is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Bartram’s Garden recognizes the value of promoting a diverse workforce. All individuals, including those from historically under-represented groups, are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, any form of personal or professional connections to Southwest Philadelphia will be considered a plus for all applicants. If desired, applicants are invited to reflect in their cover letter or other written statement on how their professional and lived experiences position them for their requested role.

About Bartram’s Garden
The mission of the John Bartram Association is to create equitable relationships among people and nature through immersive, community-driven experiences that activate the Bartram legacy, Garden, and House, on land and on the Schuylkill River, in Southwest Philadelphia. The garden was founded in 1728 by John Bartram, whose passion for plants and the natural world inspired generations of horticulturists. Located in Southwest Philadelphia, the 45-acre public historic garden is preserved, enhanced, and maintained by the John Bartram Association as America’s oldest botanic garden in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Philadelphia.

Today, Bartram’s Garden offers opportunities for visitors to connect with and learn about plants, nature, history, art, and science. It encompasses the 1731 Bartram house and farm buildings, historic garden, reclamation meadow, tidal wetlands, community farm, recreational trails, and the Schuylkill River front with a public boat dock.

Bartram’s Garden has been working to build its local Southwest focused programs and activities and strengthen its local community partnerships. Continuing to broaden and deepen these relationships and build sustaining relationships with families, local institutions, churches, schools and academic institutions utilizing the Bartram legacy as inspiration for learning and environmental stewardship is at the heart of our vision for a great civic common and river garden. The garden is in the midst of transformation, with unprecedented opportunities for growth and renewal. With the construction of the Bartram’s Mile Trail and the first major house and garden restoration in nearly a century, the profile and visitation at Bartram’s Garden has increased immensely. Capitalizing on this momentum, we are about to embark on planning for a riverfront restoration, freshwater mussel hatchery, and a kayak dock expansion among numerous other projects. These opportunities are focused on building our capacity to serve as the outdoor classroom and living room of Southwest Philadelphia, expanding our role as an anchor community open space and cultural asset.