Are you interested in the amazing intersection of historical preservation and horticulture? Well then do I have the best opportunity for you! George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, VA is looking for a Garden Apprentice to help restore and maintain their gardens!
Gunston Hall is accepting applications for a seasonal garden apprentice to spend up to 10 weeks assisting with the restoration of the riverside garden. Gunston Hall is a small museum with a highly collaborative, energetic staff dedicated to the power of place, historical objects, and storytelling to create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. Once a site of slavery, Gunston Hall is now a museum dedicated to telling the stories of all the people who lived on the 18th-century plantation, including enslaved women, men, and children, indentured workers, and George Mason, one of the leaders of the Revolution and new nation. In this unparalleled project, staff are using archaeological and documentary evidence to recreate the 18th-century garden space that will become a key location for helping visitors better understand the past.
The apprentice will work under the direction of the Horticulturist. The apprentice’s main projects will relate to the riverside garden restoration. The apprentice will also assist with the maintenance of the courtyard garden and other cultivated areas. The apprentice will build horticulture skills in areas such as weeding, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, pest management, and plant identification and will learn other aspects of maintaining a garden as an educational space. The apprentice will also gain experience in working with volunteers and talking with visitors.
The garden apprentice will receive a weekly stipend of $500 for a
full-time schedule. The stipend will be prorated for a part-time schedule. For either a full or part-time schedule, the stipend will be paid on a semi-monthly basis.
Responsibilities:
● Plant and maintain decorative flower borders and kitchen garden spaces.
● Monitor plants for issues and report concerns to the Horticulturist.
● Perform general horticulture tasks such as weeding, fertilizing, disease and pest control, mulching, and deadheading.
● Maintain and repair tools and equipment. Report equipment issues to the Horticulturist.
● Work with volunteers.
● Greet, interact with and provide information to visitors.
● Maintain the security and integrity of the grounds.
● Follow safety policies and procedures. Keep everyone’s safety and experience at the forefront.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have completed some training in horticulture, landscape architecture, botany, environmental science, or a related field.
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Martin, director of education and guest experiences, at rebecca.martin@gunstonhall.org. The position will remain open until filled.
Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.