Description

THIS JOB POSTING WILL CLOSE ON MAY 13, 2026, AT 12:00 PM EST.

The Groundskeeper supports the care, preservation, restoration, and interpretation of the gardens, landscape features, and grounds of Fair Lane, ensuring that the property adheres to historical landscape standards and integrity, and provides an enjoyable and safe outdoor experience for visitors. This position reports to the Manager of Gardens & Grounds.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for ensuring that the site is presentable and walkable for special guests, visitors, and other staff by clearing trash, leaves, woody debris, snow, and ice from pathways and driveways; mowing, edging, and repairing lawns; weeding garden beds, pruning shrubs with guidance from horticulture staff; composting and spreading mulch; and assisting staff with minor irrigation repairs.
• Maintains and repairs landscape-type tools and equipment.
• Assists Gardens & Grounds staff with greenhouse and garden watering, including on weekends. 
• Supports other Gardens & Grounds staff in preparing plant beds and planting trees, shrubs, perennials, flowering annuals, and bulbs, and other special landscape or garden projects.
• Shares responsibility with other Gardens and Grounds staff in maintaining the cleanliness of the Potting Shed and other workspaces.
• Assists with occasional garden-related programs and events.
• Professionally represents the Henry Ford Estate while interacting with the public (i.e., an ambassador for Fair Lane). This includes engaging with the public to answer questions about wayfinding, site history, gardening, etc. It also includes contacting the appropriate response person or entity in cases of dangerous or destructive behavior by members of the public, as well as providing aid/assistance in the case of accidents and emergencies. Demonstrates good judgment in cases where immediate intervention is appropriate versus taking shelter and/or seeking other support.
• Additional applicable responsibilities as assigned by the department director or the President & CEO to support the work of the organization.

COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt (eligible for limited overtime), year-round permanent position with benefits. The hourly rate is $21.00 per hour and is non-negotiable.

• 100% employer-paid BCBSM medical (Simply Blue PPO Gold $2,000 deductible) and vision insurance, and Delta dental insurance, for the employee, with 50% employer-paid insurance for dependents and employee-paid plan buy-up opportunities.
• 100% employer-paid life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness insurance, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides numerous mental health, finance, and legal benefits.
• 21 days (168 hours) of Paid Time Off (PTO) earned annually; PTO is accrued biweekly at a rate of 6.46 hours.
• 14 paid holidays, which includes a year-end holiday break between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• 1 day (8 hours) of paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO).
• Paid parental leave with no minimum service requirement.
• Paid bereavement leave.
• 403(b) plan with a 3% employer contribution and 3% employer match.
• Ford x-plan discount.
• Professional development budget and opportunities.
• On-site and free bean-to-cup coffee machine.
• Donuts, bagels, and other snacks during weekly All-Staff Meetings.
• In-House Perks including a free photo permit (up to $400 savings), Tribute Garden discounts ($75 savings), and Patron-Level membership without Patron gifts ($300 savings).

Requirements

WORKING LOCATION & SCHEDULE:

• Expected schedule to include five workdays per week, 100% in person work, generally including at least one Saturday or Sunday per week. Schedules will be created at least one month in advance to accommodate the occasional weekday-only schedule.
• This role is not eligible for remote work.
• To support the organization’s educational and fundraising events, this role may occasionally require evening or weekend work (typically up to four events per year). Advanced notice will be provided whenever the schedule differs from normal hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Previous landscape, nursery, or grounds maintenance work preferred (either seasonal or full-time experience).
• Demonstrated interest in furthering plant knowledge through hands-on experience.
• Demonstrated experience or ability to operate various landscape equipment, including power trimmers, brush cutters, walk-behind mowers, and hand tools such as shovels, rakes, pole saws, and pruners. Willing to train in using and maintaining a chainsaw (no tree climbing required).
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Ability to perform duties without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Must be able to follow basic safety procedures and precautions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to mow turf grass with a walk-behind mower, edge flower beds with a power trimmer, rake leaves, and clear driveways and walkways of debris and snow, as needed.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds regularly and 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform manual labor requiring considerable walking, lifting, reaching, climbing, stooping, pushing, pulling, and carrying. Prolonged periods of standing.
• Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions, tolerate biting insects, poison ivy, and other challenges of outdoor work.
• Actively works hands-on with Gardens & Grounds staff and volunteers to complete tasks and projects. 
• Ability to drive pickup trucks and retain a valid Driver’s license. 

 BACKGROUND & REFERENCE CHECKS:

• All offers of employment at Henry Ford Estate are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. Background checks include Prior Employment Verification, Personal and Professional Reference Checks, Educational Verifications, and Criminal Conviction Reviews.
• A criminal conviction will not result in an instant withdrawal of an employment offer. Henry Ford Estate considers the nature of crimes and their relationship to positions, the time since conviction, and the number of convictions when deciding if a candidate has clear results.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Henry Ford Estate is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.