Job Description
Job Description
Position Summary
The Estate Horticultural Groundskeeper reports directly to the Estate Manager, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Property and Grounds Manager, and is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the ornamental landscapes, gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, and specialty plantings throughout the Principal's private residence. This position is heavily focused on horticulture, plant health, irrigation management, and maintaining a consistently manicured, estate-quality appearance.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong horticultural background and hands-on experience caring for a wide variety of ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, and seasonal color displays. This individual must be proactive, detail-oriented, highly organized, and capable of working independently while consistently delivering exceptional results.
This is not a general groundskeeping or landscape labor position. Candidates must possess demonstrated horticultural knowledge and experience in plant identification, pruning, fertilization, irrigation systems, pest management, and ornamental landscape maintenance.
Horticulture & Plant Health
- Perform expert horticultural care, including planting, transplanting, pruning, trimming, fertilizing, mulching, weeding, deadheading, and seasonal garden maintenance.
- Maintain ornamental gardens, landscape beds, trees, shrubs, seasonal plantings, and specialty plant collections to the highest standards.
- Monitor and assess plant health, identifying issues related to pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies, irrigation performance, and environmental stress.
- Implement appropriate corrective actions and preventative plant health measures.
- Assist in developing and executing seasonal planting plans and landscape enhancement projects.
- Apply horticultural best practices to promote long-term plant vitality and sustainability.
Irrigation & Landscape Management
- Monitor irrigation systems and identify performance issues, leaks, damaged components, and inefficiencies.
- Perform basic irrigation troubleshooting and coordinate repairs as needed.
- Ensure plant material receives appropriate watering based on seasonal conditions and landscape requirements.
- Support property-wide landscape enhancement efforts through proactive maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives.
Grounds & Estate Maintenance
- Maintain lawns, pathways, patios, outdoor living spaces, and landscape features in pristine condition.
- Operate and maintain landscaping equipment including mowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and related tools.
- Perform power washing of sidewalks, driveways, patios, decks, walls, gutters, and exterior surfaces.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of outdoor furnishings, storage areas, sheds, garages, and workspaces.
- Assist with trash removal, recycling, shredding, and sanitation duties as needed.
Property Support
- Assist with inventory management of landscape materials, fertilizers, pesticides, tools, and supplies.
- Retrieve materials and supplies from local garden centers, nurseries, and hardware suppliers.
- Coordinate with landscape contractors, arborists, irrigation vendors, and specialty service providers as directed.
- Maintain accurate records related to plant care, fertilization schedules, pest management treatments, irrigation adjustments, and landscape projects.
- Respond promptly to management requests and provide recommendations regarding landscape improvements and horticultural best practices.
QualificationsRequired
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional groundskeeping, gardening, or landscape experience.
- Two (2) or more years of hands-on horticulture experience in a high-end professional setting.
- Demonstrated knowledge of:
- Plant identification
- Ornamental landscape maintenance
- Pruning techniques
- Fertilization programs
- Irrigation systems
- Pest and disease management
- Soil and plant health best practices
- Ability to recognize plant health concerns and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
- Experience in safely operating landscape maintenance equipment and tools.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Professional demeanor, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Preferred
- Experience maintaining private estates, luxury residences, resorts, botanical gardens, golf courses, or other high-end landscapes.
- Horticulture, plant science, landscape management, or related education.
- Industry certifications related to horticulture, landscape management, irrigation, or arboriculture.
- Experience caring for specialty, ornamental, or collector plantings.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will possess:
- Advanced horticultural knowledge and plant care expertise
- Strong understanding of ornamental gardens and landscape aesthetics
- Knowledge of irrigation systems and basic irrigation troubleshooting
- Ability to identify common pests, diseases, and plant deficiencies
- Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining exceptional standards
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and seasonal demands
- Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and service excellence
Work Environment
This position involves year-round outdoor work in varying weather conditions and requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying, and operating landscape equipment. The ability to perform physically demanding tasks safely and efficiently is required.
Key Competencies
- Horticultural Expertise and Plant Health Management
- Irrigation Systems Management
- Ornamental Landscape Maintenance & Enhancement
**To be considered, candidates must possess meaningful horticultural experience beyond general mowing, edging, blowing, and basic landscape labor. Applicants should be prepared to discuss plant identification, pruning practices, irrigation systems, fertilization methods, and plant health management during the interview process.**