BICYCLE GARDENER, FULL or PART TIME, HIRING for 2 POSITIONS (Santa Cruz County)

2VJJ+G3 Bonny Doon, CA, USA
Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping (www.terranovalandscaping.com) seeks two upbeat, energetic, reliable, bicycle-friendly Garden Maintenance Assistants to join our Tread Lightly team.
Terra Nova has won 'Best Landscaper' in Good Times in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025! We provide high quality service to customers without the use of toxic chemicals, and we do not use blowers. We practice organic and ecological methods.
We are hiring 2 gardeners for the below position, which is permanent and long term.
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THE POSITION
The Bicycle Gardener will perform landscape maintenance, traveling between clients by bicycle using a light aluminum trailer in Santa Cruz neighborhoods like Seabright, downtown and Westside. You will work with a lead gardener or the maintenance manager as a team. We also have truck routes in Aptos, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Felton and Boulder Creek.
This is a fast-moving position where you may visit 5 or more clients in a day on a route. Work includes but is not limited to general garden upkeep (weeding, raking, etc.), and plant care (fertilizing, pruning, deadheading, etc.). You may also assist with making repairs to irrigation systems. A few clients have lawns, but lawn care is not a main emphasis. There are sometimes special projects like fruit tree pruning, planting, etc.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Flexible, easy-going and able to pivot
• Love working outdoors with plants
• Love bike riding or bike touring
• Proactive, can-do attitude
• Cooperative and patient with co-workers and clients
• Neat appearance
REQUIRED ABILITIES & EXPERIENCE:
• 1 year garden maintenance experience
• Physically able to ride a bicycle with a trailer with tools
• Punctual, with good time management skills
• Detail-oriented, and able to follow directions
• Must have a smartphone, pruning shears, and gloves
• Can lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to use apps for timekeeping (we'll train), and must be able to receive and send texts and occasional emails.
DESIRED ABILITIES & EXPERIENCE:
• 1 year horticulture, gardening, landscaping or nursery experience
• Horticultural education or landscaping certification
• Drip irrigation experience
• General pruning experience
• Knowledge of California plants for the landscape
• Knowledge of gardening for drought tolerant landscapes
DESIRED PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Creative and solution based thinker
• Can establish and maintain cordial, cooperative relationships with co-workers
• Is personally accountable and self-supervises
• Communicates personal issues that may affect performance in advance
DAYS/ HOURS: We are seeking full time or part time employees, for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and a maximum of 40 hours per week. We work Monday through Friday (no weekend days). Business hours are 8:30am-4:30pm.
COMPENSATION: $18-24/hour to start DOE
BENEFITS: For full time employees we offer paid vacation and 7 paid holidays, annually. All employees can accrue up to 48 hours of sick time per year.
To apply, respond with an email explaining why you are a good fit, and include a resume, plus three work references, and a picture or link to social media. Include your cell phone number and personal email address.
Thanks! We look forward to working with you!
$18-24