Seeking a hardworking, motivated assistant for all elements of our small, regenerative, landscaping and nursery business, East Hill Tree Farm (www.easthilltreefarm.com)
East Hill Tree Farm provides the resources to empower the communities in the Winooski Valley and beyond to engage the landscape, enhancing the physical and spiritual vitality for all inhabitants. We offer landscape consultation, design, planting and pruning; we grow fruit and nut trees; and we operate a retail nursery and annual bare-root sale. We grow and work with a wide variety of edible and useful woody species and soil-building techniques to improve the health of our earth and our communities. We work and learn with a spirit of constant curiosity. We endeavor not to plant single trees, but to establish whole ecosystems, in which people play an integral role.
The assistant will work alongside the owner for many tasks, creating opportunities for both on-the-job-training and shared learning. There will be abundant opportunities to to learn about all aspects of the business. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in the mission of the business, curiosity, and a drive to get work done efficiently.
Primary responsibilities include:
-Staff retail nursery, providing thorough, friendly assistance to customers.
-Handle orders and payments with integrity and attention to detail.
-Monitor and maintain the online store.
-Package and check orders for spring bare root tree sale.
-Prune fruit trees for shape, disease management, aesthetics and crop management at residences.
-Plant trees, shrubs and berry patches for customers following established protocols.
-Drive company vehicles to jobs.
-Weed and maintain nursery beds and plantings.
-Maintain a positive attitude and reliable work ethic as part of a small team.
-Check business email account and respond to inquiries, or refer questions to the owner.
-Take pictures for website and social media; update online presence at least monthly.
-Other responsibilities as assigned.
Desired qualifications:
Interest in trees, soil, farming or permaculture. Curiosity.
Motivated and able to work hard and get jobs done.
Reliable and a clear, positive communicator.
Interest and ability to take on greater responsibility and leadership for tasks or jobs.
Valid driver’s license, safe driving skills, and ability to drive a manual-transmission pickup truck.
Attention to safety and health in all contexts.
Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly; ability to free-climb small trees.
There is some ability for the assistant’s particular interests and skills to shape the job. Work hours will vary seasonally and can also be adapted to the needs of the candidate. Pay begins at $17/hr with an opportunity for advancement within the first year.