Fine Gardening Crew Member

Who We Are:

Topiarius is a landscape design, build, and maintenance company. Since 2003, our mission has been to design, create, and maintain luxurious outdoor sanctuaries because we believe that people deserve to live beautifully outdoors. You can learn more about Topiarius at www.topiarius.com.

The Role:

We are looking for a Fine Gardening Crew Member to help maintain landscapes and beautify them with seasonal rotations. This position is for the person that wants to be challenged by the complexity, sophistication, and elaborateness of Topiarius’ designs. Under the direction of the Operations Manager and with a with a 12-15-person team, this person will help redesign Chicago’s urban landscape one rooftop and yard at a time.

This position’s success is measured by:

·         Timeliness

·         Professional preparation (apparel/PPE)

·         Following direction (including safety measures)

·         Pace of work

·         Client satisfaction

What You Will Do:

TEAMWORK

·         Work in cooperation with other crew members and for a Crew Leader in an efficient and timely manner.

·         Comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures.

·         Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations.

·         Help maintain cleanliness, operation, and inventory of all assigned supplies, equipment, and vehicle.

·         Responsible for pro-actively speaking with Crew Leader to clarify duties at specific job sites.

·         Maintain a professional, helpful, and optimistic attitude when working with all Topiarius staff and clients.

TECHNICAL ROLE

·         Plant seasonal annuals in containers and in-ground.

·         Plant, transplant and divide perennials, shrubs, and trees.

·         Work appropriately with potentially hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, fertilizers and pesticides.

·         Operate general landscape equipment (i.e., lawn mower, leaf blower, power washer, aerator, etc.).

·         Weed within landscape beds, containers, and hardscapes.

·         Install mulch (or equivalent).

·         Maintain turf (mow, edge, over-seed, aerate, fertilize) and install sod.

·         Identify and pick-up trash and debris.

·         Clean exterior surfaces.

·         Transport materials and supplies through client homes with the utmost care.

·         Hand prune plant material up to 15' in height.

·         Install and troubleshoot in-line drip irrigation systems.

·         Install holiday/winter lights and decor.

·         Troubleshoot low-voltage lighting system.

·         Set-up and shut-down of outdoor water features.

Who You Are:

·         You identify with our culture. Topiarius employees are expected to perform with honesty, integrity, and optimism. We enjoy our work and find it very satisfying and have a strong work ethic. We enjoy each other’s company and choose to work as a team and not a lone wolf. We take the details seriously; they are what allows us to stand apart from our competition. And follow through is in the fabric of all we do.

·         You enjoy working on different kinds of projects utilizing different skills. Each of our projects is unique. There may be common threads that repeat, but every client’s site is one of a kind. Our projects include maintenance and planting seasonal annual displays. 

·         You aim for excellence. You are someone that doesn’t just show up to “phone” in the day. You are mature and professional. You arrive with a smile and early to get your day organized. You understand that clean tools and a clean/organized vehicle make your day successful. You exude pride in all that you do but are humble enough to know when you need to ask for help.

·         You are curious and problem solve. Nothing we do is ever the same. As mentioned there will be common threads to each project, but once on site you will address nuances and unforeseen circumstances. It goes with the territory. So, you are someone that does not get thrown off by this kind of “roadblock.” You enjoy the challenge to solve problems and even have the smarts to ask for help so that the work can be completed in a timely and efficient manner.

·         You enjoy working with a team. You understand that your crew leader assigns you projects. While you have many skills, you understand that others do as well, and you can only benefit from learning from them when necessary.

Required Background:

·         1-3 years of experience in the landscape industry. 

·         Conversational English. 

·         The ability count, add, and subtract.

·          Ability to perform landscape skills in a guided and skillful manner.

Other Desired Qualifications:

·         Experience working with technology, such as cell phone apps.

·         High School degree.

·         Higher education degree.

·         OSHA certified.

Expected Activity and Movement:

You will frequently lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects weighing up to several hundred pounds using appropriate tools. You will typically bend, stoop, and crouch on a regular basis. You will constantly move about to work. You will regularly operate and clean construction and carpentry equipment. You will repeatedly climb stairs and occasionally ladders. You will repetitively work in locations of height (i.e., roof decks, balconies). And you will be working in outdoor conditions (for instance low to high temperatures, rain, sun, wind, etc.)

What We Provide:

Hours and Compensation:

Mon-Fri 6:30 am – 3:30/4 pm. Minimum 40 hours per week with potential overtime. Potential for Saturday hours.

$15-$18 per hour.

Benefits:

8 Paid Holidays. Paid Time Off (up to 10 days in first year) and Paid Sick time (up to 40 hours each year). Medical and dental insurance plans (PPO/HSA and HMO options). Dental Insurance. Retirement plan available after 1 year of employment & minimum 1000 hours of worked. Complimentary Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability plans.

Other Details:

Topiarius is a non-union shop. Our final candidates may be required to undergo a background check. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or other status protected by applicable law. And nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

To Apply:

First, we highly encourage you to visit Topiarius’ website (www.topiarius.com) to become familiar with our company.

Secondly, if you are interested, please apply. We will contact you if we are interested. Please refrain from phone calls.