Landscape & Grounds Technician

Old Sturbridge Village is hiring a full-time Landscape Technician to support the care and upkeep of lawns, trees, shrubs, and grounds across our 200+ acre property—including museum landscapes (both formal and historical), the onsite school, rental spaces, and lodges. This is hands-on, outdoor work that values plant health, aesthetics, and public safety. We strive to provide the best possible experience for all visitors.

You’ll be part of the Property Care team, working year-round to mow, prune, plant, and maintain both natural and formal landscapes. Ideal candidates are dependable, physically capable, and knowledgeable about plants and landscaping equipment.

Essential Functions

The following duties are fundamental to the position and required to successfully perform the job:

Landscape Maintenance

• Prune trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants to maintain structure, health, and appearance.
• Perform seasonal and corrective pruning based on plant type and growth cycle.
• Mow, edge, trim, mulch, and rake turf areas and landscaped beds.
• Plant and transplant trees, shrubs, and perennials.
• Control invasive species and maintain wooded edges and naturalized areas.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of outdoor work areas for staff and visitors.

Equipment Operation

• Operate and perform routine maintenance on landscaping equipment, including mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, and related tools.
• Use powered landscaping tools and machinery in accordance with safety procedures.

Seasonal & Emergency Work

• Remove snow and apply sand/salt during winter months.
• Assist with storm cleanup and respond to grounds-related emergencies as needed.
• Perform year-round outdoor work in varied weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow).

Physical Requirements (Essential Job Functions)

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift throughout the workday.
• Ability to regularly lift, move, and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors across uneven terrain in all weather conditions.

Commitment to Workplace Culture

• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Other Duties (Non-Essential Functions)

• Collect and manage trash and recycling from outdoor areas in designated locations.
• Assist with occasional supervisory responsibilities.
• Weekend or off-hours work may be required for emergencies, events, and trash removal.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the role and organizational needs.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of landscape or groundskeeping experience.
• Knowledge of pruning practices, plant identification, and safe equipment use.
• Valid driver’s license (required).
• Massachusetts hoisting license (preferred, or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift up to 80 lbs. and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Basic small engine repair and maintenance skills (e.g., mowers, blowers, trimmers).
• Strong interpersonal skills; comfortable interacting with Village staff, school groups, visitors, and tenants.

Physical & Environmental Conditions

Physical Conditions:

• Regular standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, reaching, and manual labor.
• Frequent use of hands and arms to operate tools and equipment.
• Ability to routinely lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to navigate uneven outdoor surfaces and varied terrain.

Environmental Conditions:

• Work performed primarily outdoors year-round.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures, precipitation, and other weather conditions.
• Exposure to noise, dust, pollen, vibrations, and other environmental factors.
• Work in areas with vegetation, insects, and wildlife.
• Use of powered equipment requiring adherence to all safety procedures and protective gear.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

Old Sturbridge Village is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on Village operations. Applicants and employees are encouraged to request accommodations as needed.

About Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, a country store, a bank, a working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops—all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource for New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.

Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff, and OSV community members. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging with the world.

Old Sturbridge Village is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour