The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. The Henry Ford provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward and that aligns with our core values of being Welcoming, Curious, Authentic, and Passionate.
The Garden Crew plays an important role in maintaining the beauty, health, and appearance of The Henry Ford's outdoor spaces. Team members help care for landscaped gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, and seasonal displays across campus, including Greenfield Village. This position requires a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions while contributing to a welcoming experience for guests.
Essential Responsibilities
- Plant, water, weed, mulch, fertilize, prune, and maintain annual and perennial flower beds, gardens, shrubs, and landscaped areas
- Assist with the installation and removal of seasonal plant displays, containers, and decorative landscape features
- Prepare planting beds by cultivating soil, adding compost or fertilizer, and ensuring proper growing conditions
- Operate and safely use hand tools and power equipment such as shovels, rakes, hoes, trimmers, blowers, wheelbarrows, and other landscaping equipment
- Monitor the health of plants and report signs of disease, pest infestations, irrigation issues, or other landscape concerns
- Remove weeds, litter, fallen branches, and other debris to maintain clean, attractive grounds
- Assist with lawn care activities, including edging, trimming, mowing (where applicable), and maintaining turf areas
- Support tree and shrub maintenance by assisting with pruning, watering, and general care
- Follow established horticultural practices and safety procedures while handling tools, equipment, fertilizers, and other landscaping materials
- Work collaboratively with other members of the Grounds and Horticulture team to complete daily assignments and seasonal projects
- Contribute to effective team communication by identifying problems, offering solutions, and supporting continuous improvement efforts
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, including proper storage and care of equipment and materials
- Complete assigned tasks independently with minimal supervision while meeting quality and productivity expectations
- Perform other grounds maintenance and landscaping duties as assigned to support the mission and appearance of The Henry Ford
Qualifications
- Greenhouse, nursery, or horticulture experience preferred
- Basic knowledge of lawn care, landscape maintenance, plant care, and safe operation of landscaping equipment and hand tools
- High school diploma preferred
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
- Valid driver's license required
- Previous experience in commercial groundskeeping, landscaping, horticulture, outdoor maintenance, equipment operation, or related field preferred
- Preferred Licenses/Certifications:
- CPR/First Aid certification preferred
- Certified Horticulturist (American Society for Horticultural Science) or equivalent horticultural certification preferred
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred but not required
Special Skills
- Knowledge of basic horticultural practices, including planting, pruning, soil preparation, fertilization, watering, and seasonal plant care
- Ability to identify common landscape plants, trees, shrubs, weeds, pests, and basic plant health concerns
- Safe and effective use of gardening tools, landscaping equipment, and grounds maintenance machinery.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain high-quality landscapes and identify maintenance needs
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and follow schedules with minimal supervision
- Strong teamwork and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments
- Ability to follow safety procedures, written instructions, and established maintenance practices
- Ability to adapt to seasonal priorities, changing conditions, and special events
- Basic knowledge of irrigation systems, sustainable gardening practices, and environmentally responsible landscape care preferred
- Ability to safely operate hand tools, power equipment, and utility vehicles after training.
- Basic recordkeeping skills for tracking completed work and materials
- Commitment to preserving and maintaining The Henry Ford’s landscapes, mission, values, and service standards
- Dependable, self-motivated, and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Proven ability to build positive relationships and contribute as a collaborative team member
PHYSICAL / MENTAL / ENVIRONMENTAL:
Physical: Standing, Walking: Typical. Lifting, carrying, and pushing: Occasional, up to 100 lbs. Tolerance for hot and cold temperatures preferred. Unless noted here, other physical requirements are minimal or not applicable. Ability to safely operate heavy machinery and aerial lifts. Ability to operate and maintain light grounds equipment and tools
Vision: Normal
Mental: Observation, analysis, interpretation, decision making, and multi-tasking. Ability to read guest needs and interests and respond appropriately. Should be able to work under pressure and around large crowds. Willingness to discuss sensitive historical topics and challenging themes with a diverse range of guests.
Environment: Must be able to work outdoors in all seasons (including sunny and inclement weather) as necessary. Non-air-conditioned interiors. Flexibility with on-call scheduling and availability as needed during evenings, weekends, and short-notice situations.
