Assistant Gardener
Location: Little River (Greater Miami-Dade Area), FL
Job Type: Part-Time (approx. 24–28 hours/week)
Compensation: Starting at $22/hour (with potential for growth)
About Little River Cooperative
Little River Cooperative designs, builds, and cares for edible gardens throughout South Florida. For more than 15 years, we’ve worked with homeowners, schools, restaurants, and hospitality spaces to create gardens that are beautiful, productive, and deeply connected to the environment around them.
Our mission is to empower people through deeper connections with food and ecology. We bring that mission to life every day by creating spaces where people can grow food, learn, gather, explore, and experience a closer connection to the natural world.
Our work brings together edible and native plants with thoughtful design to create gardens that feel distinctly at home in South Florida. For the people who work here, that means being part of something tangible: creating places that people use, learn from, enjoy, and remember.
Position Overview
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Assistant Gardener to work alongside our Lead Gardener in caring for our clients’ kitchen gardens. This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys working with their hands, notices the small things, and takes satisfaction in being part of a team that leaves each garden healthier and better cared for than they found it. You’ll support the Lead Gardener with planting, harvesting, soil care, pest management, site preparation, and the many details that help each visit run smoothly.
Key Responsibilities
- Logistics & Headquarters Care: Report to our Little River headquarters each morning to load the company van according to daily job specifications. Perform light facility and vehicle maintenance, including cleaning and tidying up the van and headquarters.
- Garden Maintenance: Execute vital horticultural tasks under the direction of the Lead Gardener, including soil amendment, trellising, organic pest management, harvesting, pruning, and mulching.
- Site Preparation & Cleanup: Manage on-site logistics by unloading materials and tools safely at client properties, keeping the active work area organized, and assisting with efficient, secure van packing.
- Company Standards: Uphold Little River Cooperative’s core values of safety, respect, professionalism, efficiency, and community stewardship.
Schedule Requirements
- Weekly Commitment: Availability for 3 full days per week (ideally Tuesday through Thursday).
- Daily Shift: Early morning start time at 6:00 AM to optimize daylight and beat the heat.
- Team Synchronizations: Availability on Mondays for a 1-hour virtual team meeting.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Experience: Foundational experience in agriculture, horticulture, or commercial landscaping/gardening.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, and comfortably squat, kneel, bend over, and reach for extended periods in variable South Florida weather conditions (heat, humidity, rain).
The Ideal Candidate Possesses:
- Core knowledge of edible gardening practices (including mulching, harvesting, and planting).
- A strong, punctual work ethic with excellent time-management skills.
- Competency with standard horticultural hand tools (shovels, hoes) as well as farm implements (flame weeders, broadforks).
- Handy with common power tools for simple garden tasks, such as reinforcing wooden planter boxes, assembling tomato cages, or anchoring vertical crop supports.
What We Offer
- A progressive, collaborative work environment within a growing small business.
- A competitive starting rate of $22/hour with clear pathways for professional growth.
- End of year bonus and occasional tips from clients.
- Complimentary access to Little River Cooperative educational workshops.
- Free starter plants from our nursery and seasonal fresh vegetables from French Farms.
Little River Cooperative is committed to supporting a diverse and multicultural team, and fostering an inclusive workplace. We consider all individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, age, sex, gender, disability, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you don’t meet every preferred qualification listed above, but are passionate about the role and possess relevant lived experience, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Pay: From $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Relocation assistance
Application Question(s):
- What specific element of this job description made you feel this position was the right fit for you?
- Why are your skills and background well-suited to this specific role?
- Tell us about a professional or personal accomplishment you’re especially proud of.
- Please confirm that the schedule, location, and starting compensation work for you.
Experience:
- agriculture, horticulture, or landscaping/gardening: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
