Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant - Retail Focus

Job purpose

The Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant provides education, retail sales assistance, and customer service in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center.  They act as the public face of SCCF, introducing visitors and residents to the mission of the Foundation and its role in the preservation of the islands. This position is located at the Bailey Homestead Preserve, a multi-use 28-acre property that includes native plant demonstration landscapes, the garden center, a 19-acre wildlife habitat, a walking and biking trail, a multi-use pavilion, and a historic house.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Educate the public about native plants, island ecology, the Bailey Homestead Preserve, and SCCF’s mission and programs

• Answer questions as appropriate from customers and visitors about a wide range of subjects related to SCCF and island environments
• Provide technical advice on all facets of horticulture and native plant landscaping, including plant and pest identification
• Create and print informational signage and brochures as appropriate
• Assist and help coordinate Landscaping for Wildlife housecalls and landscape design/installations

2. Provide positive customer service and public relations

• Create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors by interacting with them in a professional and friendly manner
• Share the SCCF’s mission and program areas; explain how SCCF supports and interacts with the community
• Encourage SCCF memberships and recommend nursery services where appropriate
• Assist customers in finding plants and making purchases
• Process sales 
• Organize on-island deliveries
• Communicate effectively and maintain a positive relationship with nursery volunteers, fellow staff, and interns
• Mentor and direct Native Landscapes & Garden Center interns as needed
• Check SCCF membership status through the DonorPerfect application and process memberships as appropriate

3. Maintain a diverse selection of healthy plants for sale

• Coordinate the purchasing of wholesale native plants for both general nursery stock and for in-house landscaping installations
• Manage inventory and Point of Sale systems across multiple projects
• Compile sales and inventory reports and make bank deposits
• Plan and receive plant deliveries from vendors
• Ensure health of nursery stock through watering, pruning, weeding and IPM practices

4. Maintain retail areas

• Maintain clean, weed free and orderly retail areas
• Assist and help coordinate the ordering of nursery supplies
• Create price tags using database programs
• Maintain irrigation systems and schedules; provide weekly checks of irrigation

5. Support SCCF educational programs and events

• Assist with special projects and events as required (floral arrangements, setup, teardown)
• Assist with educational programing as needed (teach workshops or classes, create lectures, acquire materials, etc.)

Qualifications

• B.S/B.A. in Horticulture, Biology, Botany, Plant Science, or other natural science, or equivalent relevant professional experience
• Passion for plants and conservation
• Friendly and personable
• Possess great customer service and communication skills
• Work efficiently with minimal supervision
• Willingness to shift tasks as changing circumstances require, including the ability to prioritize duties while maintaining a “go with the flow”, positive attitude
• Be highly organized and self-motivated
• Have the ability to work with and coordinate volunteers and interns
• Ability to maintain professional attitude at all times and represent SCCF professionally at all times
• Working knowledge of computer operations, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and willingness to learn industry specific applications, including Point of Sale software
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledgeof Florida native plants, southwest Florida habitats, and/or coastal barrier island environments
• Experience working in a plant nursery or greenhouse operation
• FNGLA Professional Certifications, or willingness to obtain upon employment
• Florida commercial pesticide licensing, or willingness to obtain upon employment

Working conditions

• Must be willing to work independently or as part of a team in a variety of weather conditions
• This position consists almost entirely of outdoor work, barring extreme temperatures or weather events
• South Florida is hot and humid with exposure to biting insects, dirt, dust, pollen, and irritant plants (i.e. poison ivy) year round
• Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends on a seasonal basis (January-April)

Physical requirements

• Willingness and ability to perform physical work outside in all weather conditions

• Must be able to repetitively lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to carry, climb, kneel, stoop, reach, dig, load, and unload various objects for extended periods of time
• Ability to work on your feet for long periods

Direct reports (if applicable)

Native Landscapes and Garden Center Interns