an artistic i (“aai”) is a unique landscape maintenance company, focusing on beautiful and distinctive fine gardens, including multi-acre estate landscapes and wineries. These are exquisite, architecturally designed landscapes, where “mow and blow” just won’t do!

Matthew McCulloch, the owner, is a design-build, licensed landscape contractor, with over twenty years of experience, having managed Korbel Champagne’s winery properties, among others. aai currently manages other beautiful Napa wineries and exclusive estate projects. Matthew’s extensive farming and teaching experience, and knowledge of both English, Japanese and native gardens, guides his team to maintain some of the most outstanding properties in Sonoma and Napa counties.

We seek a Site Supervisor to manage, oversee and supervise daily crews on client properties. This is a hands-on position requiring physical work as outlined below. A good portion of your day will consist of observing, recognizing and prioritizing work to be completed… including instructing, training and directing crews and crew members, who will be responsible for performing the work alongside you.

As aai plans for its continued long term legacy, we are seeking someone with strong managerial and planning skills, who can help the company grow, improve and update processes and systems, and best prepare for its future. We are seeking a strong leader who is interested in being part of the company’s succession plan.

This is an hourly, full-time position, with benefits. Appropriate training will be provided.

The position is posted here: http://www.lockeandkey.com/jobs/JobOpenings/job_opening_233.php

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note: aai operates on a four-day, ten-hour per day work week. The schedule is currently Tuesday through Friday, and Mondays/weekends off. Work starts at the Santa Rosa shop at 6.30am, and the crew is back at the shop by 5.00pm each day. All driving time to client sites is paid. We visit multiple sites per day, and crews ride together, to reduce the people and vehicle impact on client properties.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Work alongside owner and Director of Operations, for all hands-on work and client interaction. Also work independently, managing crews directly.
• Responsible for the overall weekly management of assigned maintenance accounts.
• Oversee work production and efficiency of crew members, including, but not limited to: quality control, daily record keeping, safety, training and job site cleanup.
• Direct the organizing, loading and departing of multiple crews and trucks each morning.
• Evaluate and provide employee reviews for crew members.
• Responsible for the safe operation of company vehicles and transporting of crews.
• Responsible for accurate record keeping, including all time cards, staying on schedule, completing daily job reports, and labeling/coding invoices.
• Responsible for requesting needed supplies.
• Supervisor will act as “face of the company” in absence of Owner and/or Director, and will often act as liaison between Matthew and the client.

General Work Related Responsibilities:

• Garden Maintenance Work: general and technical pruning, dividing, staking, weeding, separating and grooming plants, and general debris cleaning.
• Irrigation Work: installation, troubleshooting, and repair of drip and spray systems from point of connection to point of distribution; program and operate controllers, daily monitoring of plants and lawns for irrigation needs.
• Some (limited) Soil Work: grading, amending and preparing areas for planting; work completed by hand, as well as with the aid of company’s small equipment, and in conjunction with sub-contractors using larger equipment.
• Mulch Work (limited): installing various types of mulch by hand/buckets and using equipment and machinery.
• Pesticide/Fertilizer Work (mostly organic chemicals): applying fertilizer in granular and liquid form, spraying Roundup on a very limited basis, spraying and/or applying copper fungicide and horticulture oil as needed, occasionally applying other pesticides as needed for plant health.
• Lawn Work: Mowing, edging, fertilizing, and monitoring lawns to maintain health and vitality.
• Planting Work: layout and planting from individual plug size, up to and including large specimen trees, set with the aid of cranes.
• Shop Work: loading and unloading of equipment and supplies, and daily upkeep of shop area and equipment and vehicles.
• Mowing and String Trimming Work (limited): seasonal string trimming and mowing of periphery areas, outside and/or bordering garden areas.
• Power Tool/Equipment Work: operating small power tools (blowers, saws, drills etc.), including troubleshooting and repair work in the field as needed.
• Drive company vehicles; transport crew members to client site.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED:

The company realizes that every interested candidate might not have all of the desired experience, and some training will be provided, but here is what they are looking for in terms of experience and skills… the more you have, the better!

Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in landscape, garden, winery, hospitality, estate or grounds work. High-end landscape experience is a plus.

Minimum of three years of running crews, and project supervision/management.

Excellent horticultural and plant knowledge, seasons, cycles and overall characteristics.
Excellent knowledge of maintenance/gardening including: pests and remediation, fertilizers, pruning, job site analysis/priority, irrigation, soils, etc.

Strong ability to successfully layout, install and manage architect/subcontractors’ work, including: planting, irrigation, mulching, grading, using small equipment.

Excellent hands-on landscape maintenance and installation skills.

Ability to read and understand architectural plans, construction documents, schedules, and cost reports.

Inspiring supervisor; skilled at leading and developing employees.

Must work well with all types of personalities and know how to get the best out of your crew.

History of satisfied clients and employers. Positive attitude and professional demeanor.

Organized and detail oriented. Patient, yet driven.

Excellent communication skills.

Ability to improve policies and procedures for efficiency, effectiveness and client satisfaction.

Computer skills. Excel is a plus.

Knowledge of automating office systems/processes is a plus.

Valid California driver’s license with clean driving record.

Bilingual Spanish is a plus.

Physical ability and enthusiasm to work on your feet all day, outside in all weather. Lift/push/pull 50 pounds.

EDUCATION/CREDENTIALS:

High School Diploma/equivalent or higher.

All related education is a plus: landscape, horticultural, gardening, construction, business, etc.

REWARDS/BENEFITS/COMPENSATION:

Opportunity to work directly with both the company and property owner, in beautiful surroundings, on first-class landscapes, helping them grow and flourish into works of living art.

Competitive hourly base compensation.

Three days off per week, with the Tues-Fri work schedule. Some overtime can be available.

Possible future profit share/bonus program.

Medical/dental insurance.

Personal use of company truck for commuting purposes.

Paid holidays.

Paid time off (includes vacation and sick leave).

Boot allowance.

Company work shirts, sweatshirts, beanie and hats are provided

All gloves, safety equipment, tools, and rain gear provided by company

Paid employee referral program.

SAFETY/COVID-19

aai is committed to the safety of our employees, subcontractors, owners and everyone else who visits our job sites. This includes standard job site safety requirements and protocols, and any additional appropriate Covid-19 prevention tactics. The company supplies masks, gloves, sanitizer, handwashing facilities, and has other appropriate safety protocols in place.

TO APPLY:

Please thoroughly read the position description and company website before sending resume.

Please email your resume and cover letter with “garden” in the subject line.

Local candidates only, or someone already moving to the area.

Qualified resumes with cover letter will receive notification of receipt.

Please do not send your resume to an artistic i directly.

Lisa K. Locke

Locke and KEY Recruiting, Hiring and Consulting Services

We are the source of your hire power.

Mail: P.O. Box 2873, Alameda, CA  94501

Phone/Fax 510-533-2005

Email to send resume/cover letter: lklocke@lockeandkey.com

Web: http://www.lockeandkey.com

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