Lead Gardener — Full-Time
Location: Poulsbo, WA (serving Kitsap Peninsula, Bainbridge Island, and greater Seattle area)
Schedule: Full-time, year-round
Compensation: $25–$30/hour DOE
Arbutus Garden Management is a boutique estate gardening company specializing in detailed, horticulture-driven care for private residential properties. We maintain established gardens, curated plant collections, roses, and specialty containers for a loyal client roster across Kitsap County and the greater Seattle area.
We're looking for a Lead Gardener to run a small crew, manage daily property care, and maintain the quality our clients expect. The right person has solid professional gardening and landscaping experience, a calm and effective leadership style, and the horticultural knowledge to make good decisions in the field. Because skilled horticulture candidates can be hard to find, we keep select postings open and are always glad to hear from experienced, thoughtful professionals who may be a strong long-term fit for our team.
What You'll Do
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Lead a two-to-three person crew through daily estate garden maintenance, from morning planning through end-of-day wrap-up.
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Maintain property quality standards — walk the site before you leave, ensure work is thorough and complete.
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Run pre-job site assessments: evaluate the property, plan the approach, assign tasks, and stage tools and materials efficiently.
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Perform hands-on garden maintenance: pruning, weeding, deadheading, planting, container care, bed preparation, and seasonal grooming.
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Monitor plant health across properties and communicate concerns, irrigation issues, or changing needs promptly.
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Support the development of newer crew members through on-the-job training and clear guidance.
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Handle routine client interactions professionally and know when to escalate questions to management.
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Track crew hours, equipment condition, and daily notes through company check-in systems.
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Drive company truck and trailer safely and reliably.
What We're Looking For
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2+ years of professional gardening, landscape maintenance, or estate garden care experience.
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Experience leading or directing a small crew in a field setting.
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Solid plant knowledge — perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, and Pacific Northwest garden plants.
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Pruning confidence across common ornamental plant types.
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Clear, professional communication with crew members and clients.
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Strong work ethic, consistent attendance, and reliable follow-through.
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Valid driver's license and comfort driving a truck and trailer.
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Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and lift plants, soil, and materials up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with any of the following will stand out:
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Rose pruning (hybrid tea, shrub, climbing)
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Hydrangea pruning by type
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Container planting and seasonal rotation
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Irrigation basics or troubleshooting
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Experience with field management software (LMN or similar)
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CPH, ISA, Master Pruner, or WA Pesticide Applicator License (we offer certification incentives for team members pursuing professional credentials)
Why This Role
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Certification incentive program with completion bonuses and hourly raises for professional credentials.
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Work on well-maintained, estate-level properties with high-quality plant material.
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Small, experienced team with a strong horticultural foundation.
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Full-time, year-round employment with PTO eligibility after 3 months.
To Apply
Apply through our posting to submit your resume and answer a few questions about your gardening and leadership experience.
Other Job Postings:
Assistant Gardener
