NURSERY ASSOCIATE - FULL & PART TIME

Gayle Gardens is a nurturing, year-round retail nursery situated on our 3.2-acre property in West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard. We are dedicated to supporting our beautiful island, restoring native ecosystems, and proudly participating in the vibrant community we belong to here on Martha's Vineyard. 

We specialize in island-grown plants that are acclimated to our unique coastal environment, with an emphasis on native species, organic practices, and resilient ecological design. Our nursery carries perennials, rare varieties, native plants, soil amendments informed by innovative soil microbiology, and carefully curated gardening supplies. We also offer seasonal plant starts, pollinator-friendly varieties, and host community workshops that encourage holistic thinking about our landscapes.

Part of what makes Gayle Gardens special is our intentionality—in what we grow, in how we care for our plants, and in how we engage with our community. 

Anyone joining our team will be trained not only in high-touch customer service but in understanding the sacred relationship between people and the natural environment. We believe that a culture of care, communication, and shared learning creates both a meaningful work experience and authentic connections with our customers.

All applicants must have weekend availability, staff are required to work a minimum of 1 weekend shift per week.

Our shift schedule stays the same throughout the season, week-to-week, however open availability is strongly preferred to allow for scheduling flexibility throughout the changing seasonal business. All employees will be given their full seasonal schedule at the time of hire.

Due to the seasonal nature of our work and our commitment to serving our community during peak growing seasons, there are certain times throughout the year when we require all hands on deck and cannot accommodate time-off requests. Blackout periods include spring planting season (late April through mid July) and other high-traffic weekends throughout the growing and selling season. We understand the importance of work-life balance and do our best to communicate these dates well in advance so you can plan accordingly. 

• Full Time: All full time shifts are 8 hours. Opening shifts are 8am - 4:30pm. Closing shifts are 9am - 5:30pm. 

• Part Time: All part time shifts are 5 hours. Shifts are 9am - 2pm. Part Time positions are 3-4 days/wk.

The wage range for our positions is $20 to $26/hr, depending on experience to start.

Nursery staff are part of a small, dedicated team operating a busy, farm-adjacent nursery, and as such the responsibilities are very active and physically demanding in nature. Though most working hours are spent in the retail greenhouse and nursery areas, various duties regularly require working outdoors in different conditions and weather. Applicants should review the qualifications section below before applying.

Our ideal candidate is:

• Motivated: comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively

• Attentive: able to keep up in a busy, plant-focused environment with a keen eye for plant health and quality

• Positive: has genuine warmth and strong social stamina

• Curious: Eager to learn about native plants, soil health, regenerative practices, and ecological design as well as traditional nursery & greenhouse practices 

Our ideal candidate is someone with a love for plants, the land, and community—and the intersection of all three. We are a hub for gardeners, landscape professionals, and plant enthusiasts who care deeply about Martha's Vineyard's ecosystems. The ideal team member will be passionate about nurturing living systems and inspired by the opportunity to encourage others to look at their environments holistically.

Routine Duties & Responsibilities:

● Opening the nursery:

• Watering plants in greenhouse and outdoor growing areas

• Organizing supply shelves and display areas

• Stocking and maintaining product displays

• Plant care: deadheading, pruning, repotting, fertilizing, and monitoring plant health to ensure quality

● Running the nursery:

• Staffing the register & assisting customers with plant selection

• Restocking & keeping displays vibrant and well-maintained

• Answering customer questions & providing guidance on native plants, growing conditions, soil health, and regenerative garden design

• General maintenance of nursery atmosphere and growing areas

● Closing the nursery:

• Evening plant care including watering and protecting sensitive plants

• Documenting plant health & keeping inventory logs updated

• End of Day Cleaning: sweeping, organizing, wiping down surfaces

• Cash drawer consolidation

● Miscellaneous Tasks, varying by day/season:

• Receiving and quality-checking plant deliveries

• Organizing greenhouse and growing areas

• Taking inventory

• Propagating and repotting plants

• Maintaining outdoor nursery spaces and pathways

• Creating plant tags, signage, and educational materials

• Assisting with community workshops and events

● Cleaning Duties:

• Sweeping and hosing down floors

• Cleaning windows, display tables, benches, shelves, growing areas, etc.

• Managing green waste composting, trash and recycling

• Other miscellaneous cleaning duties as needed (cleaning duties extend to our communal break room and bathroom which is cleaned by all staff on rotation)

Qualifications & Expectations:

● At least 1 year of experience in retail, hospitality, or customer-facing work
Bonus: Experience in horticulture, nurseries, permaculture, ecological restoration, or regenerative agriculture

● Proficiency using Square POS systems (or willingness to learn)

● Ability to keep up with the physical demands of the job: standing, bending, reaching, lifting 40lbs safely and comfortably

● Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions and in greenhouse environments

● Friendly, warm, and motivated to work both independently and collaboratively

● Strong interpersonal skills and genuine enthusiasm for connecting with customers

● Ability to work efficiently and thoughtfully without constant supervision

● Ability to stay focused, organized and present in active work environments

● Strong communication skills and openness to ongoing learning

● Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding plant health and quality

● Genuine interest in plants, ecology, native species, soil health, and regenerative practices (experience not required, but curiosity and dedication to learning are essential!)