Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant - Retail Focus

About the Role

The Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant provides education, retail sales assistance, and customer service to support the goals and objectives of the SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center. This position acts as the public face of SCCF, introducing visitors and residents to the mission of the Foundation and its role in the preservation of the islands. The role is located at the Bailey Homestead Preserve, a 28-acre property featuring native plant demonstration landscapes, the garden center, wildlife habitat, trails, a pavilion, and a historic house.

Responsibilities

• Educate the public about native plants, island ecology, the Bailey Homestead Preserve, and SCCF’s mission and programs.
• Answer questions from customers and visitors about SCCF and island environments.
• Provide technical advice on horticulture and native plant landscaping, including plant and pest identification.
• Create and print informational signage and brochures.
• Assist and coordinate Landscaping for Wildlife house calls and landscape design/installations.
• Provide positive customer service and public relations, creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
• Share SCCF’s mission and program areas; explain community interactions and encourage memberships.
• Assist customers in finding plants and making purchases; process sales and organize on-island deliveries.
• Communicate effectively with volunteers, staff, and interns; mentor and direct interns as needed.
• Check SCCF membership status and process memberships using DonorPerfect.
• Maintain a diverse selection of healthy plants for sale, including purchasing wholesale native plants for nursery stock and landscaping installations.
• Manage inventory and Point of Sale systems; compile sales and inventory reports and make bank deposits.
• Plan and receive plant deliveries from vendors.
• Ensure health of nursery stock through watering, pruning, weeding, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
• Maintain clean, weed-free, and orderly retail areas; create price tags using database programs.
• Maintain irrigation systems and schedules; perform weekly irrigation checks.
• Support SCCF educational programs and events, including floral arrangements, setup, teardown, workshops, and lectures.

Requirements

• B.S/B.A. in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, Plant Science, or other natural science, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Passion for plants and conservation.
• Friendly, personable, and strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision and shift tasks as circumstances require.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to prioritize duties with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work with and coordinate volunteers and interns.
• Professional demeanor and ability to represent SCCF at all times.
• Working knowledge of computer operations, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and willingness to learn industry-specific applications (e.g., Point of Sale software).
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Florida native plants, southwest Florida habitats, and/or coastal barrier island environments.
• Experience working in a plant nursery or greenhouse operation.
• FNGLA Professional Certifications, or willingness to obtain upon employment.
• Florida commercial pesticide licensing, or willingness to obtain upon employment.

Working Conditions

• Willingness to work independently or as part of a team in a variety of weather conditions, primarily outdoors.
• Exposure to South Florida’s hot and humid climate, biting insects, dirt, dust, pollen, and irritant plants (e.g., poison ivy) year-round.
• Occasional evening and weekend work on a seasonal basis (January-April).

Physical Requirements

• Willingness and ability to perform physical work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to repetitively lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to carry, climb, kneel, stoop, reach, dig, load, and unload various objects for extended periods.
• Ability to work on your feet for long periods.

Direct reports: Native Landscapes and Garden Center Interns.