Menla Retreat & Spa
Head of Landscaping & Horticulture
Menla Retreat & Spa, Friendly, Maryland, United States,
Menla is known for its beautiful organic gardens, providing healthy food to our kitchen and guests. We are on a 330 acre site in a secluded valley, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Our campus is 70 acres with 24 buildings. We have .75 acres producing vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, flowers, berries, and a wide variety of both cultivated and wild and medicinal plants. Our gardens and grounds are one of the faces of Menla, and their beauty and care is an important part of our culture and tribute to the land. We are looking for a “Zen Gardener” who brings a sense of spirituality to the work at hand.This position is full time April 1 – Nov 1, possible PT work through the winter months for the right candidate.Minimum Requirements:
5 – 10 years of Landscaping & growing diversified organic productionIntegrated pest management knowledgeAble to work in difficult climate conditions (rain, cold, heat, humidity)Able to lift 50lbs, bend, kneel, twist, reachFlexible and resilientFriendly, enjoys engaging with a wide range of visitors into the gardensBasic hand tool skills, fence repair and small repairs as neededAble to organize volunteer projects and instruct volunteers with little skill and no experienceSelf-motivated and responsible, able to work independentlyStrong observation skills, ability to assess needs of a particular project, and solve in a sustainable mannerA desire to continually learn and ability to research specific issues around horticulture and ecology as neededUnderstanding of the Catskills ecosystems and floral design is a plusResponsibilities:
Maintaining and improving landscape beds throughout the property, using deer resistant plantsFloral arrangements for use in the reception area and dining areasIndoor plant careSeasonal container flower plantingsAssisting head gardener with high yield production 3/4 acre of vegetable/flower/culinary herbs/berry gardens for use in the kitchen from seed starting to harvesting to putting the garden to sleepContinued ecological restoration work, removal of invasive species and maintaining areas which have been clearedInteracting with guests who enjoy the gardens and grounds, including garden tours when appropriateWorking with the maintenance and kitchen team to ensure a robust compost system stays strongClearly communicating budget needsResources:
A 600 SF glass greenhouseTwo small sheds and plenty of toolsYou will be part of maintenance team, and we have a wood/metal shop, onsite mechanic and heavy equipment operatorThis is not a 9-5 job. 32-40 hours/week required. We understand that there needs to be flexibility built in to the position to work with weather and available assistance (for example when there is a work/study crew or volunteers)
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5 – 10 years of Landscaping & growing diversified organic productionIntegrated pest management knowledgeAble to work in difficult climate conditions (rain, cold, heat, humidity)Able to lift 50lbs, bend, kneel, twist, reachFlexible and resilientFriendly, enjoys engaging with a wide range of visitors into the gardensBasic hand tool skills, fence repair and small repairs as neededAble to organize volunteer projects and instruct volunteers with little skill and no experienceSelf-motivated and responsible, able to work independentlyStrong observation skills, ability to assess needs of a particular project, and solve in a sustainable mannerA desire to continually learn and ability to research specific issues around horticulture and ecology as neededUnderstanding of the Catskills ecosystems and floral design is a plusResponsibilities:
Maintaining and improving landscape beds throughout the property, using deer resistant plantsFloral arrangements for use in the reception area and dining areasIndoor plant careSeasonal container flower plantingsAssisting head gardener with high yield production 3/4 acre of vegetable/flower/culinary herbs/berry gardens for use in the kitchen from seed starting to harvesting to putting the garden to sleepContinued ecological restoration work, removal of invasive species and maintaining areas which have been clearedInteracting with guests who enjoy the gardens and grounds, including garden tours when appropriateWorking with the maintenance and kitchen team to ensure a robust compost system stays strongClearly communicating budget needsResources:
A 600 SF glass greenhouseTwo small sheds and plenty of toolsYou will be part of maintenance team, and we have a wood/metal shop, onsite mechanic and heavy equipment operatorThis is not a 9-5 job. 32-40 hours/week required. We understand that there needs to be flexibility built in to the position to work with weather and available assistance (for example when there is a work/study crew or volunteers)
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