Grow Your Career at Filoli: Seasonal Horticulturist (including Natural Lands care)

Do you have a passion for plants, history, and the great outdoors? Filoli is looking for a Seasonal Horticulturist to join our world-class team. This is an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on experience maintaining a premier natural lands space, historic estate, and public garden while working alongside a dedicated team of professionals.

Position Overview

As a Seasonal Horticulturist, you will play a vital role in preserving the beauty of Filoli’s natural lands, historic gardens, and orchards. Whether you are maintaining our scenic hiking trails or prepping soil for a spring bloom, your work ensures our 16-acre formal garden and surrounding 654-acre estate remain a sanctuary for all.

• Rate: $26.00 per hour
• Duration: Mid-February 2026 through Mid-June 2026.
• Schedule: 40 hours per week (typically Mon–Fri, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm).
• Flexibility: Occasional weekend work and schedule adjustments may be required to support the garden’s needs.

What You’ll Do

You will rotate through various specialties including the Natural Lands, Formal Garden, and Production. Key responsibilities include:

• Natural Lands Care: Trail maintenance, tree & brush clearing (including pest, weed & poison oak management), and using equipment like string trimmers and blowers.
• Garden Artistry: Planting, soil preparation, pruning, and hedging (including topiary and vines) to maintain our historic landscape standards.
• Estate Maintenance: Irrigation management, turf care, and the upkeep of paths, pools, and garden structures.
• Production & Harvesting: Assisting with greenhouse propagation, container gardening, and harvesting fresh fruit and flowers.
• Guest Engagement: Interacting with visitors to share the story of Filoli’s horticultural displays and assisting with special events.

Who You Are

We are looking for an energetic self-starter who brings a creative approach to problem-solving and a deep respect for diverse perspectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience: At least 6 months of practical experience in natural lands or garden maintenance, nursery work, or farm production (or an Associate’s Degree in Natural Lands Management, Environmental Science or Horticulture).
• Skills: Ability to operate power equipment (mowers, blowers, saws, trimmers) and basic mechanical aptitude.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to lift up to 75 lbs, climb ladders up to 16’, perform repetitive motions up to 50% of time and work outdoors in various weather conditions (rain or shine).
• Requirements: A valid Driver’s License and a commitment to Filoli’s goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Why Filoli?

At Filoli, we view racial and cultural differences as assets. We are dedicated to sustaining a racially equitable organization and look for team members who share our passion for advancing these values. You’ll work in a supportive, collegial environment where your contributions directly impact the preservation of a California icon.