Farm and Cottage Landscaper

Job Details: Job Location: Beach Plum Farm - West Cape May, NJ, Salary Range: $22.00 - $22.00Hourly, Position Overview

The Farm & Cottage Landscaper is responsible for maintaining the beauty, appearance, and overall landscape standards of Beach Plum Farm, with a particular focus on our six guest cottages and surrounding guest areas.

Beach Plum Farm is a 62-acre working farm and hospitality property where the landscape is an important part of the guest experience. Our cottages have been recognized with a Michelin Key, and this position plays a direct role in maintaining the level of care, detail, and presentation expected of that recognition.

This is a hands-on position responsible for ensuring that cottage gardens, lawns, pathways, entrances, outdoor living spaces, and public areas throughout the farm are consistently maintained at a high level. The ideal candidate understands that landscaping at Beach Plum Farm is not simply groundskeeping—it is part of creating the sense of place and experience our guests come to the farm for.

Primary Responsibilities

Take primary responsibility for the daily appearance and landscape maintenance of the Beach Plum Farm cottages and surrounding guest areas.
Maintain lawns, gardens, pathways, cottage entrances, outdoor showers, firepit areas, pool surroundings, and other outdoor guest spaces.
Perform mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, weeding, mulching, planting, deadheading, leaf removal, and seasonal cleanup.
Maintain flowers, bedding plants, shrubs, trees, and ornamental plantings throughout the cottage grounds and public areas of the farm.
Regularly walk the cottage grounds and identify landscaping or appearance issues before they impact the guest experience.
Work closely with the Cottage and Farm management teams to prioritize daily needs, guest arrivals, special events, weddings, and property projects.
Assist with seasonal planting and landscape transitions to ensure the property reflects the changing seasons of the farm.
Operate and maintain landscaping equipment including blowers, hedge trimmers, rotary mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, pressure washers, and other small equipment.
Assist with irrigation system operation, maintenance, and basic repairs, including drip systems, piping, and sprinkler heads.
Perform basic fence installation and repair and assist with other light construction and landscape projects throughout the property.
Maintain landscape areas around the Market, Bakery, farm dining areas, event spaces, and other high-traffic guest areas.
Support the preparation of the property for weddings, farm dinners, cottage arrivals, photography, and special events.
Help oversee seasonal landscape support staff and ensure work is completed safely and to property standards.
Maintain clean, organized landscape work areas and properly care for tools and equipment.
Assist other farm and maintenance team members with special projects as needed.

Guest Experience & Property Standards

The appearance of Beach Plum Farm is an important part of the overall guest experience. This position requires an eye for detail and the ability to recognize when an area does not meet the standards of the property.

Particular attention should be given to the cottages, where guests expect a polished but natural farm setting consistent with Beach Plum Farm's Michelin Key recognition. Lawns, gardens, pathways, outdoor spaces, and arrival areas should feel intentionally cared for while maintaining the character of a working farm.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong knowledge of landscape maintenance, plant care, pruning, mowing, irrigation, and seasonal property maintenance.
Ability to work independently, identify priorities, and take ownership of assigned areas.
Strong attention to detail, particularly in guest-facing areas.
Comfortable working around hotel guests, cottage guests, weddings, dinners, and other farm activities.
Ability to safely operate landscaping tools and equipment.
Basic understanding of construction methods, fencing, irrigation, and landscape repairs.
Ability to communicate effectively with Farm, Cottage, Maintenance, and Events teams.
Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, climb, and perform repetitive physical tasks.
Must be able to regularly lift up to 25 pounds, frequently lift up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift heavier materials with assistance.
Must be comfortable working around noise, dust, equipment, vibration, and other conditions associated with a working farm.
Must follow all property and equipment safety procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
2 years of professional landscaping, groundskeeping, estate, resort, or hospitality property experience preferred.
Experience maintaining high-end residential, resort, hotel, or hospitality landscapes is strongly preferred.
Valid driver's license preferred.
Ability to obtain and maintain any licenses, certifications, or permits required for the position.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means that guests arriving at Beach Plum Farm immediately see and feel the care that goes into the property. The cottages are beautifully maintained, guest areas are clean and welcoming, seasonal plantings feel intentional, and landscape issues are addressed proactively.

The goal is to preserve the natural character of a working farm while maintaining the elevated standards expected of one of Cape May's distinctive hospitality experiences and a Michelin Key property.

 
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