Lead Gardener

About the role

The Lead Gardener provides support to the Crew Leader in supervising and directing landscape maintenance activities and procedures at assigned job sites or routes. The role involves installing, renovating, and maintaining grounds and landscaped areas according to pre-established schedules, specifications, and company policies. The Lead Gardener assists the Crew Leader in ensuring compliance with company policies, safety standards, and fleet programs while offering suggestions for improvements in production, cost efficiencies, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Assists the landscape maintenance production crew with pruning, fertilizing, weeding, watering, spraying, mowing, and raking trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and turf areas.
• Assists in planting and cultivating landscaped grounds, including plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Removes weeds, trash, and debris from landscapes and hardscaped areas.
• Ensures crew members adhere to safety policies and training, including the use of required safety equipment.
• Maintains security of all tools, equipment, supplies, and materials.
• Keeps work areas, including truck bed and cab, locker, and assigned field area, neat and organized.
• Communicates special instructions, job schedules, and personnel issues with the Crew Leader or Supervisor.
• Recommends changes in methods, schedules, and procedures for job efficiency.
• Assists the Crew Leader in supervising and directing crew members to prepare equipment, tools, and supplies for daily work.
• Uses proper equipment to perform all jobs safely, prioritizing accident prevention.
• Supports the Crew Leader in training crew members in all aspects of daily operations.
• Assists in ensuring proper workflow of documentation, including reports, notices, inspections, and paperwork.
• Operates and maintains company-assigned vehicles in accordance with fleet safety and vehicle management policies.
• Drives and operates company vehicles safely and in compliance with company policies.
• Ensures safe operation and use of power gardening equipment and tools.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience in commercial landscape maintenance, with emphasis on crew management, routing, sequencing, and safe equipment use.
• Valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance.
• Ability to operate and utilize power equipment and specialized tools safely and efficiently.
• Basic working knowledge of ornamental horticulture and common landscape pests, diseases, and treatments.
• Basic understanding of irrigation systems, controllers, and weather-based management.
• Effective administrative, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to define problems and initiate appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to follow written or verbal instructions and delegate work effectively.
• Proficiency in using electronic handheld devices to record work time.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with associates, clients, vendors, and supervisors.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

• Constant standing, sitting, walking, stooping, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and traversing uneven ground.
• Frequent grasping, power grasping, reaching, climbing, pushing, pulling, and getting in and out of vehicle cabs and beds.
• Lifting, carrying, and manipulating objects up to 50 pounds for varying periods.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment according to company and industry safety policies.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor work with exposure to hot and cold temperatures, sudden temperature changes, varying noise levels, slippery surfaces, rain, dust/dirt, fumes, wind, and uneven or sloped terrain.

Equipment/Machinery

• Mowers of varying sizes (21” to riding mowers).
• Gas-powered hedge trimmers, weed whips, and backpack blowers.
• Hand tools including loppers, shears, pruners, hand saws, bow rakes, leaf rakes, pole pruners, pole saws, push brooms, and shovels.

Benefits

• Sick Pay
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) Plan
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance

Location: Irvine

Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00 Hourly