OPEN POSITIONS
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS ASSISTANT
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens, and Arboretum is approximately 100 acres overlooking the Delaware River in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The property is divided in half, with one side owned by the non-profit Andalusia Foundation and open to the public as a museum and gardens, while the other side of the property remains private. Established more than 230 years ago, the site is a natural paradise of preserved native woodlands and spectaculars gardens, as well as a National Historic Landmark building and museum. Thousands of visitors explore Andalusia each year during tours, events, and educational programs.
The Buildings and Grounds Assistant will help maintain Andalusia’s high standards, joining a small team of full-time gardeners and ground employees, plus additional seasonal staff. This position will work on the public and private property and report directly to the Head Gardener and also work alongside and with guidance from the Senior Groundskeeper.
POSITION DETAILS:
Buildings and Grounds Assistant person would be involved in duties such as but not limited to:
– Daily upkeep of the pool area and other priority spaces
– House repairs: minor plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, repair stuff
– Maintain and repair split rail and deer fences
– Gutter cleaning
– Power washing houses, patios, etc.
– Assist in opening and closing property for tours and events
– Minor and routine maintenance of power equipment and lawnmowers
– Lawn mowing, trimming, and leaf clean up
– Mulching and weeding
CANDIDATES MUST:
– Be able to work both independently and as part of a team
– Do physical work including bending, stooping, reaching, climbing ladders, and lifting at least 50 lbs.
– Be able to work in a variety of weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, and light rain)
– Have a valid driver’s license and able to work with a variety of equipment
– Have some repair, groundskeeping, and maintenance experience, knowledge, or equivalent education
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit a resume and a one-page cover letter explaining their relevant experience and interest to wfuchs@andalusiapa.org. Please include your last name in the file names for your resume and cover letter.
HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR GUIDE
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Andalusia is seeking House Guides who enjoy public engagement and have interests in American history, art, and architecture to lead tours of its historic mansion and check in visitors. Located just north of Philadelphia, the house sits on the Delaware River and is surrounded by acres of beautiful gardens. Some experience with tours or public speaking is preferred, but prior knowledge of Andalusia’s history is not required.
POSITION DETAILS:
– House Guides are responsible for providing visitors with engaging and informative tours of the mansion and its collections. Tours last 45-60 minutes and are offered to groups of up to 12 people at a time. House Guides also staff the welcome desk, where they check in visitors with a tablet device, sell tickets using a card reader or by accepting cash, review site guidelines, and answer questions, among other helpful tasks.
– House Guides are given reading materials, timelines, and outlines from which they can develop tours. All tours should be historically accurate and address certain key topics – including the construction of the mansion and the lives of some residents – but House Guides are encouraged to personalize their tours according to their own interests. Tours also include general information about the Andalusia property, its gardens, and outbuildings. Portions of the tour are self-guided while the House Guides supervise.
– House Guides should be able to communicate clearly with visitors and, to the best of their ability, answer questions that arise. House Guides inform visitors of guidelines concerning building access, collection safety, personal belongings, and photography, and will remind visitors of those guidelines if necessary. House Guides log the number of visitors on each tour and, as needed, record questions and comments to share with other Andalusia staff. House Guides also collect payment for tour fees or shop sales.
– House Guides must be able to safely navigate the historic building, including four stairs to enter the first floor and a full flight of stairs to access the second floor. House Guides are asked to assist with opening and closing the house at the start and end of each day, which includes unlocking and locking doors, opening and closing blinds, turning on and off lights, and other duties. House Guides may be required to lift and move small items and furniture, such as books, boxes, or chairs.
HOURS & COMPENSATION:
Andalusia is open from late March to mid-November on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm, with house tours offered at 10:30am, 12:00am, and 1:00pm. Andalusia is also open on select Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm with tours offered every half hour from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Private group tours may be booked with advance reservation on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, Andalusia hosts around three to six special events or evening programs during the year.
The House Guides share the responsibility of leading tours, with at least two guides working each public weekday and at least four working each public Saturday. House Guides will work with the Head Guide to determine their schedule each month. Once a monthly schedule is set, House Guide are responsible for finding a substitute if for some reason they can no longer work a given day.
House Guides are paid $17.50/hour. Normal weekday schedule is 9:30am-3:00pm. Select Saturday schedule is 9:30am-4:30pm, or may be split into shorter shifts of 9:30am-1:30am or 12:30pm-4:30pm.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit a resume and a one-page cover letter explaining their relevant experience and interest to jvick@andalusiapa.org. Please include your last name in the file names for your resume and cover letter.
LETITIA GLENN BIDDLE HORTICULTURE FELLOWSHIP
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Letitia Glenn Biddle Horticulture Fellowship is an in-depth exploration of what it means to work at a Public Garden. While the Fellow will work primarily as a horticulturist to maintain the overall visual quality and high standards as set forth by the Head Gardener and the Landscape Collections Policy, the position is also an experiential learning opportunity and will provide experience in three additional areas:
– Professional development by attending meetings with the Horticulture Committee and the Board of Trustees. There will also be opportunities to network with industry professionals through the Garden Symposium and visitors to the gardens.
– Professional writing and public speaking skills by crafting weekly social medial posts for the #AndalusiaFellowsJournal and by leading tours of the gardens.
– Project development by choosing an Andalusia-centered project to be completed during their tenure. This project will be approved by the Executive Director and Head of the Horticulture Committee and will be presented to the Board of Trustees, Symposium Volunteer Panel, and the Horticulture Committee.
POSITION DETAILS:
– This is a 6-month position
– The work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday (8-4)
– Wage rate is $20.00 per hour
– Weekend rotation is expected 1-2 times during the season at overtime pay rate
– Housing on site may be available
– Must provide own transportation
– No benefits are provided
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The ideal candidate for this position should have some prior work experience in the horticulture industry, as well as some education in horticulture or a related field of study. This candidate should also be an effective writer and communicator and possess good project management skills. Furthermore, they should also have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be legally authorized to work in the US and must also possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume with a letter of interest and at least three professional references.
Also with your application, please submit a sample post for the Andalusia Fellows Journal (this can be a made-up post — it is just meant to be an example of your writing).
These should all be submitted via email to Head Gardener, Bill Fuchs at wfuchs@andalusiapa.org.
HORTICULTURE INTERN
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Horticulture Intern will work alongside an established team to maintain the overall visual quality and high standards of the gardens and arboretum. This position will provide hands-on experience, educational growth, and networking opportunities.
POSITION DETAILS:
– This is a 12-week position, start date to be negotiated
– This is a 40-hour work week, Mon-Fri (8-4)
– Weekend Rotation may be required 1-2 times with overtime pay
– Salary is $19.00 per hour
– No benefits are provided
– Opportunities for field trips to other gardens will be provided, as well as attendance at various plant conferences and our annual Garden Symposium
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
– Performing various plant care tasks such as, (but not limited to), weeding, deadheading, watering, propagating, staking, potting, planting, creating container displays, hedging, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, composting, invasive plant removal
– Maintaining personal equipment and hand tools
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
– Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
– Some education in horticulture or a related field
– Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards
– A willingness to learn and take direction
– Physical ability to lift and carry 50 lbs, capable of standing, walking, performing physical labor for up to 8 hours daily, comfortable working outdoors in various conditions such as heat, cold, and rain, ability to frequently bend, stoop and kneel, and have hand-eye coordination for operating machinery safely and effectively and performing detailed plant care
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
– Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
– Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume and letter of interest to Head Gardener, Bill Fuchs at wfuchs@andalusiapa.org.
