Garden Center Specialist

Position Summary

The Garden Center Specialist is responsible for providing expert plant knowledge, helping customers select the right plants and products, diagnosing plant and lawn issues, and maintaining a healthy, organized, and well-stocked garden center. This position is ideal for someone with strong garden center experience, landscaping knowledge, or Master Gardener training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on plants, trees, shrubs, lawns, irrigation, fertilizers, soils, and pest control solutions.
• Assist customers with plant selection, plant care instructions, and troubleshooting plant health issues.
• Maintain the garden center including watering, pruning, rotating, and caring for plant material.
• Help unload plant deliveries and stock merchandise including soil, fertilizers, pottery, irrigation supplies, and garden tools.
• Keep the garden center clean, organized, labeled, and fully stocked.
• Monitor plant health and report damaged or distressed plants to management.
• Absorb special orders for plants and garden-related merchandise when needed.
• Provide the best possible experience for every customer by being helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.
• Aid in training and mentoring other associates in basic garden and plant knowledge.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of plants, gardening, landscaping, irrigation, soils, and fertilizers.
• Master Gardener certification or equivalent garden center / nursery experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to diagnose common plant problems including pests, watering issues, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Availability must be flexible including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Bilingual (Spanish) verbal communication skills strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, walk, reach, and bend to perform job duties.
• Ability to lift and move merchandise such as plants, soil, and pottery up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, and varying weather conditions.