Landscape Assisistant
(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities
Start Date: April 1,2023 Compensation: $25/hr.
The Landscape Assistant works directly with and under the supervision of the Landscape Collections and Conservation Manager. S/he will support the site’s growing needs in the areas of habitat restoration, forest management, mapping, and site documentation. The position requires the ability to engage creatively and experimentally with an understanding of Russel Wright’s original design vision, ecological approach, and goals to preserve and celebrate native plantings. With training and demonstrated aptitude, there is the potential for a full-time managerial position.
Responsibilities/Duties
Design Management:
- Regular monitoring of landscape and site conditions, including tour paths and foot trails.
- Assist with oversight of contractual work - mowing, arborist, and stonework.
- Assist with creating and implementing standards for trail accessibility and programming.
- Create planting plans for landscape restoration.
- Implement GPS plotting and update GIS network database.
- Provide data and technical content as needed to support grant applications.
- Lead volunteers in workday tasks.
- Assist with site set up for special events and programs and crowd control as needed.
Gardening:
- Transplanting and installation of new plantings; creating protection and providing care.
- Improvements to paths; resurfacing and attention to trail sustainability.
- Pruning, raking and weeding in variable habitats to include woodland gardens, rock cliffs, and ponds.
- Identification of invasive plants and the implementation of a management/removal plan
Qualifications/Requirements
- College degree, or working towards a degree, in one or more of these areas: Landscape Design, Ecology, Horticulture, Environmental Studies.
- Gardening experience / forestry and trail building background with recommendation from employers, teachers, or customers.
- Knowledge of trees and plant communities of Hudson Highland/ Northeast US region will be necessary. Please include evidence of knowledge in recommendations.
- Latitude for independent initiative and judgement.
- Ability to work outdoors, hands-on in landscape, using pruners, handsaws, shovels, rakes, as well as power tools: blowers, trimmers, and mini chain saws.
- Capable of lifting heavy loads (40 lbs.-50 lbs.) as in hauling brush, carrying water packs to new plantings, and readjusting stone steps.
- Stamina and fitness for hiking (rock climbing and kayaking a plus) are necessary to cover a rugged terrain that spans a 500 ft ascent and two+ miles of foot trails with nearly eighty landscape features needing regular attention (foot bridges, water crossings, overlooks).
- Full COVID 19 Vaccination
Additional Information
Manitoga is the nationally landmarked House, Studio and 75-acre woodland landscape of industrial designer Russel Wright (1904-1976) and his family in Garrison, New York. With a creative vision that integrates nature, architecture, and design to a remarkable degree, it has become one of the great modernist destinations within reach of New York City. Manitoga is a National Historic Landmark and one of the few 20th-century modernist homes with original landscape open to the public. Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center seeks a part-time Landscape Assistant to work on all aspects of the management, preservation, and stewardship of Manitoga’s variable and naturalistic landscape that encompasses woodland gardens, quarry ledges, foot paths and trails, an outer forest, and the green roofs and quarry terraces of the landmarked buildings.
Contact Information
Manitoga,Inc
Contact Name: Emily Phillips, Landscape Collections and Conservation Manager
Email: ephillips@visitmanitoga.org
Phone: 845-228-8350