Landscape Steward Crew Leader

A fun fast-paced sustainable landscape company is looking for a person to round out our professional landscape team who are excited to learn and implement sustainable/ecological gardening practices in Central Oregon. Entry-level landscape architects are encouraged to apply. This position can be full time or part time.

Our Mission:
At Your Garden Companion LLC our mission is to implement regenerative strategies that restore the urban and rural landscape. By teaming with nature, our landscapes are teeming with life. We create nature-based designs by mapping onsite microclimates, soil qualities and water resources to determine which native plants best match the site. This restores habitat and function to the landscape, all the while creating beauty.

Our Culture:
We are a small family-like group that supports each other and strives to build healthy relationships and a workplace culture that is ethical, professional, and caring about each other and the planet. We build each other up and strive to match potential staff with duties that match their gifts. All humans are welcome here and we embrace diversity as a form of resilience in the landscape and as a growing team of great people.

Duties:

• Lead crews at the job site to accomplish goals including pruning, raking, moving mulch, installing plants, managing weeds, and removing sod
• Modeling safe tool use and regularly checking on crew members to ensure safe working conditions (i.e., hydration checks, rotating tasks)
• Completing daily work logs and notes on ecological health of property. Preparing tools and vehicles for scheduled activities
• Collecting and interpreting soil samples, preparing compost tea
• Repairing irrigation problems, identifying and adjusting spray heads, installing dripline, can be learned on the job. Constructing rain gardens, garden beds and trails.

Desired Experience/Skills: (Those learned on the job end with a (Δ)

• Prior experience managing a crew conducting physical work in an outdoor setting
• Experience using machines, such as trenchers, sod cutters, saws, and garden tools
• Knowledge of western native plants, soil health or permaculture techniques Δ
• Maintaining a positive attitude while conducting physically strenuous work
• Creative, adaptable, flexible, confident, calm, and professional Δ
• Work in all types of weather conditions Δ
• Communicates well, both verbally and in legible writing
• Drives with caution and curtesy towards others
• Willing to wear YGC uniform and appropriate field gear Δ
• Physical stamina to work 4-8 hours outside doing physical labor on field days, which may include: Using hand or power tools, filling wheelbarrows and spreading soil, bark, plants, debris, etc. that may be 30lbs or heavier, and the ability to stoop, squat, and walk 5+ miles when necessary (It is best if you know when to ask for help and use equipment that makes your life safer and easier, we rotate jobs and physical labor between staff to alter movements) Δ
• Ability to drive a truck with attached trailer Δ
• Willing to learn how to observe water leaks and repair simple irrigation systems: set controllers, adjust spray heads, and drip nozzles, etc. Δ

Benefits:

After one year with the company full-time employees are eligible for sick days and paid vacation. Opportunities for growth include regular staff training and promotional potential. Employees also get snacks, occasional free produce, flexible work schedules, and workers compensation insurance. YGC is currently working on expanding our benefit package for full- time employees. We pay our staff fair wages based on their experience and skills. We listen to our staff and get direct feedback from our crew in the field.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

YGC is committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for its employees. YGC requires all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Accommodation for exemptions will be provided as required by law.