POSITIONS
Groundskeeper / Landscaper Position
Title: Groundskeeper / Landscaper
Schedule: Approximately 32 hours per week, with some flex available seasonally
Starting Wage: $26.50/hour
Location: Onsite, Whidbey Institute, Clinton, WA
Application Deadline: Priority submission Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Position open until filled.
Position Summary
The Groundskeeper works collaboratively with the Land Steward, Forest Steward, Facilities Steward, Caretaker, and Operations team to care for the Whidbey Institute's 106-acre campus. Together, Place Team helps create a welcoming, safe, beautiful, and ecologically vibrant environment for guests, staff, volunteers, wildlife, and the Land itself.
Most days are spent outdoors caring for gardens, pathways, forests, gathering spaces, and landscapes. Throughout the seasons, Place Team also supports restoration projects, prepares the campus for retreats and community gatherings, and works alongside volunteers in caring for this remarkable place.
Requirements
• Enjoy working outdoors in every season, even when physically demanding
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Are comfortable with physical work, including lifting, bending, kneeling, and walking across uneven terrain • Can safely operate landscape equipment and power tools—or are excited to learn
• Hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation
What You'll Do
Care for the Campus
• Mowing, weed-whacking, landscaped areas, pathways, meadows, roadways, and gathering spaces • Weed, prune, mulch, mow, edge, rake, water, and perform seasonal landscape maintenance • Help maintain the beauty, accessibility, and safety of the campus
Steward the Land
• Help care for trails, forest edges, and natural gathering spaces
• Participate in seasonal stewardship projects throughout the property
Prepare for Guests
• Help prepare outdoor spaces for retreats, workshops, and community events
• Assist with seasonal clean-up following storms and periods of heavy use
• Notice what needs attention and help prioritize projects with the team
Work Together
• Collaborate with fellow members of Place Team throughout the seasons
• Participate in volunteer stewardship days and community work parties
• Attend monthly all-staff meetings and regular Place Team meetings
• Share ideas, observations, and creative solutions that strengthen our stewardship of the campus and the Land
Who Thrives in This Role
You may be a wonderful fit if you:
• Have experience in landscaping, gardening, horticulture, restoration, agriculture, permaculture, or other land-based work—or bring a genuine desire to learn
• Take pride in caring for beautiful spaces and understand that small daily acts of stewardship matter • Work well independently while enjoying collaboration and shared responsibility
• Communicate openly, respectfully, and with kindness
• Take initiative, follow through, and approach challenges with curiosity
Our Culture
The Whidbey Institute practices a collaborative leadership model rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and relationship.
We believe stewardship extends beyond caring for gardens and buildings. It is about nurturing relationships—with one another, with our guests, with volunteers, and with the Land itself. We strive to create a workplace where people are encouraged to grow, contribute their gifts, and care deeply for the place we call home.
Benefits
• Starting wage: $26.50/hour
• Approximately 32 hours per week
• Accumulated vacation time per Whidbey Institute employee handbook
• Washington Paid Sick Leave
• Paid holidays (prorated according to employment status)
• A supportive, collaborative team
• Opportunities for professional growth
To apply: Please send a cover letter and your resume to work@whidbeyinstitute.org, and let us know why you want to be a part of the Whidbey Institute.
The Whidbey Institute is an educational 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with a mission to nurture the conditions for transformational learning. Federal Tax ID 31-1518700