Gardener

About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest

Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.

As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.

In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.

About this position:

We are seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Gardener at the Seattle Center campus. This position is a member of a small team of professional gardeners reporting to the Landscape Supervisor; this position works with a team of gardeners near the public, performing gardening, high-use turf care, and leaf cleanup. This work is impacted by events that are held indoors and outdoors across a 74-acre park-like campus. 

What you will be doing:

• Perform skilled gardening and landscaping work in planting, cultivation, pruning and care of flowers, shrubs, trees, lawn and landscaped areas.
• Maintain high-use turf areas in public spaces by mowing, fertilizing, aerating, and over-seeding. 
• Utilize Integrated Pest Management, including pesticide applications for weed, insect and disease control.
• Routinely operate equipment such as riding mower, line trimmer, aerator/seeder, small tractor, backpack blower, edger and chainsaw.
• Understand cultural needs of specific plants and implement the appropriate landscape maintenance needed for a given site.
• Work independently as well as with other team members.
• Provide strong customer service, communication and teamwork skills while working with diverse workforce and a multicultural public clientele.
• Understand in-ground irrigation system components and functions. Operate irrigation controllers, monitor and adjust watering schedules based on plant needs. Adjust and repair sprinkler heads, valve boxes, and various irrigation system components.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees at a conservatory, greenhouse, or nursery (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

The most successful candidates will have:

• Two years’ experience as a journey level gardener or landscaper in a public facing environment. 
• Experience and knowledge of all aspects of grounds maintenance.
• Strong interest in horticulture.
• Experience working with and knowledge of turf, landscapes, and Pacific Northwest plants. 
• Experience operating and repairing commercial irrigation systems in an outdoor landscape or turf setting.
• The ability to organize work, manage time independently, and problem solve.  

Certification/License: 

• Washington Public Pesticide operator's license is required after appointment.
• Current Washington State driver's license.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Willing and able to work outside in all kinds of weather.
• Ability to stand, walk or bend for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work effectively and safely near the public.
• The ability to work within a diverse workforce.

The full pay range for this step-progression position is $34.32 - $37.06 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.32 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

How to Apply:
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 30, 2026:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.  
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses.  
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Driving Record - If you are selected to advance in this hiring process, you may be asked to obtain a complete 5 Year driving record from the Department of Licensing.  

Pre-Employment Physical - Due to the tasks associated with this role, you will be required to successfully pass a preemployment physical.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Why work at the City?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services. Seattle Office of Civil Rights)

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

For helpful tips on the application process and recruitment process: Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov