Horticulturist

Grounds maintenance in a residential property portfolio demands more than a green thumb. At the scale John M. Corcoran & Company operates across New England, curb appeal is a managed outcome, not a seasonal afterthought. This Horticulturist role sits at the intersection of skilled horticultural craft and the day-to-day operational expectations of a multi-property portfolio with assets across Massachusetts, Northern Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire.

What the Work Looks Like Day to Day

You'll move across JMC's portfolio as needed, which means no two weeks are identical. One morning might involve pruning mature shrubs and assessing irrigation coverage at a garden-style community in Massachusetts; the next might have you setting railroad ties or coordinating with an outside contractor on a landscaping project at a New Hampshire property. You carry a working knowledge of soil, plant health, and seasonal timing into every site visit, and you apply it with the kind of autonomy that comes from genuine expertise.

Core responsibilities include:

• Planting, pruning, and maintaining shrubs, trees, flowers, and lawn areas across assigned properties
• Managing irrigation systems and fertilization schedules to support healthy growth
• Operating power equipment including mowers, trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers safely and per manufacturer guidelines
• Setting railroad ties and supporting hardscape maintenance
• Coordinating with outside landscaping contractors and suppliers
• Supporting snow and ice management and responding to emergency storm situations as needed
• Assisting with truck deliveries when requested

The schedule runs Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which gives the role a consistent structure uncommon in grounds work at smaller operators.

What This Role Requires vs. What It Builds

Coming in, you need an associate's degree or certificate in Horticulture (or equivalent field experience), hands-on knowledge of landscaping techniques, and confidence operating the full range of power equipment the job demands. Physical capability matters here: the role involves ladders, pruners, chainsaws, and real outdoor labor across New England seasons. Candidates must pass background, drug and alcohol, and physical and agility screenings at hire and on an ongoing basis.

What this role builds is portfolio-scale judgment. When you're responsible for curb appeal across multiple communities rather than a single site, you develop a sense for how plant selection, maintenance timing, and irrigation choices affect the long-term condition of shared outdoor spaces. That kind of systems thinking transfers well into landscape management or facilities coordination roles as your career progresses.

The Company Behind the Role

JMC has operated in New England real estate since 1951, and the company has a track record of retaining people over long careers. That kind of tenure tends to reflect well-structured operations and a culture where skilled tradespeople are treated as professionals. The pay range for this position runs from $26.75 to $38.00 per hour, with placement based on relevant experience. Candidates with 20 or more years in horticulture or grounds maintenance may qualify toward the upper end of that range.