Lead Grounds

Company Overview Lauritzen Gardens, acclaimed as the Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and voted #5 by USA Today for Top Botanical Gardens in the United States, is home to 100 acres of horticultural displays showcasing the diverse Nebraska landscape. Lauritzen Gardens is a non-profit organization that provides conservation efforts across the Great Plains, practices and promotes thoughtful and ecologically minded horticulture practices, creates educational and inspirational experiences, and offers a year-round schedule of tours, programs, and workshops that explore, explain, and celebrate the world of plants. Lauritzen Gardens is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and providing joyful experiences for its visitors. At Lauritzen Gardens, we're more than just a team – we're a community driven by a shared passion for innovation and making a real impact. Our Core Values are: Cultivate - We spark curiosity and encourage growth by nurturing diverse plants, ideas, and communities. Integrity - We lead with honest, open communication, and ethical care, ensuring every decision reflects responsible stewardship and respect for the living collections and communities we serve. Originality - We think creatively and challenge convention, designing experiences that offer new and meaningful ways for people to connect with nature. Accountability - We hold ourselves and each other to high standards, take ownership of our work, and are committed to learning from outcomes to continuously improve and grow. Joy - We foster a welcoming space where people can celebrate each other and the natural world through every season. Summary In this role, you maintain and enhance turf areas, plant collections, and hardscape features at Lauritzen Gardens, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing, safe, and educational environment for all visitors. The Lead Grounds position will require collaboration with the horticulture team members to manage the turf areas. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a schedule that may include a weekend day. Duties & Requirements Mow, edge, seed, fertilize, aerate, and oversee the health of turf areas. Perform maintenance tasks such as pruning, weeding, mulching, soil prep, transplanting, staking, and thinning of plants. Utilize safe and environmentally responsible methods for pest and weed control. Monitor plant and turf health, diagnosing common diseases, pests, or stressors, and applying corrective measures. Safely operate hand and powered equipment: mowers, trimmers, blowers, utility vehicles, etc. Conduct routine maintenance, inspections, and safe storage for all tools and equipment. Follow safety protocols and wear proper PPE. Interact positively with visitors, providing information and maintaining a welcoming environment. Handle trash removal, debris clearing, and site cleanliness throughout the property. Provide seasonal services such as leaf cleanup, snow/ice removal, and preparing displays for events. Willing and able to work outdoors in all weather conditions at all times of year; the majority of work for this position is performed outside Ability to conduct repetitive, moderate to strenuous physical activity in the field and lift up to 50 pounds. Education and Experience Have 3 years or more of groundskeeping, horticulture, or gardening experience. Valid driver's license (required). Current pesticide applicator's license (categories 01 & 04) (preferred). Ability to operate various types of hand and power-operated tools and equipment utilized in all phases of ground care duties (lawn mowers, backpack sprayers, weed eaters, etc.) (required). Previous experience and knowledge of irrigation systems and maintenance (preferred). Possess flexibility and time management. Pest and disease identification and treatment skills. IPM experience is a plus. Must have organizational, multi-tasking, and year-ahead planning skills. If you are passionate about nature and have the skills to lead a dedicated team, we invite you to apply for the Shift Leader position at Lauritzen Gardens today Job Type: Full-time Pay: $ $21.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Opportunities for advancement Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance Work Location: In person