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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ivy Gardener

💰 $32,000 - $55,000

HorticultureLandscapingGroundskeepingArboriculture

🎯 Role Definition

The Ivy Gardener is a specialized horticulture professional responsible for the safe, sustainable and aesthetic management of climbing vines and ivy across residential, commercial and institutional landscapes. This role focuses on pruning, training, containment and removal of ivies and other climbing plants, protecting structures and hardscapes, improving plant health, preventing invasive spread, and advising clients on long‑term vine management and vertical planting systems. The Ivy Gardener combines plant science knowledge, hands‑on pruning techniques, safety and access skills (ladders, lifts, rope access), and strong communication to deliver durable landscape outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Groundskeeper / Grounds Maintenance Worker
  • Landscaper / Landscape Laborer
  • Nursery Technician or Propagation Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Lead Ivy Gardener / Crew Lead
  • Landscape Supervisor or Site Manager
  • Certified Arborist or Horticultural Specialist
  • Vertical Gardening / Green Wall Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Urban Forester
  • Pest and Invasive Species Management Technician
  • Restoration Ecologist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assess sites for ivy and climbing vine presence, mapping extent of coverage, evaluating vine health and structural impact, and developing prioritized removal or maintenance plans that minimize damage to masonry, wood, and ecological features.
  • Execute targeted pruning and thinning of English ivy, Boston ivy, climbing hydrangea and other vines using proper pruning cuts, shears, loppers and saws to promote plant health, improve appearance and prevent excessive weight on structures.
  • Remove invasive ivy from foundations, walls, trees, roofs and hardscapes by cutting, pulling roots, and applying root barrier techniques while taking measures to protect underlying surfaces and surrounding plantings.
  • Train and shape vines on trellises, wires and living walls by tying, clipping and repositioning stems to achieve specified design patterns, growth direction and aeration for long‑term plant stability.
  • Install and maintain support systems for vertical planting including trellises, anchors, cable systems and irrigation components, ensuring structural compatibility and longevity.
  • Monitor vines for pests and diseases (e.g., scale, mites, fungal leaf spots), perform scouting inspections, document findings and implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, escalating to licensed applicators when chemical control is required.
  • Perform targeted herbicide or biological treatment when necessary, accurately mixing and applying products according to label instructions and safety regulations; maintain records of applications and certifications as required.
  • Implement soil improvement strategies in vine planting areas, including soil testing, amendment with compost and mulch application, and root care practices to support desired vine growth or suppression.
  • Execute root removal, de‑rooting, and backfill operations after invasive ivy eradication, taking care to regrade, stabilize slopes and prevent erosion around foundations or retaining walls.
  • Conduct seasonal maintenance schedules—spring renewal pruning, summer training, autumn containment and winter structural inspections—to manage growth cycles and reduce long‑term property impact.
  • Use rope, harness and ladder access methods safely to reach elevated vine growth on walls and trees, following fall‑protection best practices and company safety plans.
  • Coordinate with arborists when ivy is climbing trees to assess risk, plan safe removal without harming desirable canopy, and protect trunk bark and cambium during vine extraction.
  • Maintain and operate power tools and equipment including pole saws, powered hedge trimmers, chainsaws (where permitted), electric winches and lifts, adhering to safe operating procedures and routine maintenance logs.
  • Advise clients, property managers and site teams on long‑term vine management strategies, preventative measures, and landscape design changes to mitigate future invasive vine issues and support native plantings.
  • Document work performed with site photos, detailed service notes and treatment records, and update maintenance plans in company systems to ensure continuity and accountability.
  • Collaborate with landscape designers, contractors and facilities staff to integrate vine management with construction, facade maintenance and historic preservation objectives.
  • Estimate labor, materials and access needs for ivy control projects, prepare scope‑of‑work documents and support proposal preparation for small to medium projects.
  • Supervise and train junior crew members or seasonal workers on safe ivy removal techniques, pruning standards, tool use and environmental best practices.
  • Respond to emergency situations such as vines causing structural damage or blocking access, performing triage, securing site hazards and coordinating further repairs with contractors.
  • Implement erosion control, slope stabilization and drainage improvements following large‑scale ivy removal to prevent soil loss and support native revegetation.
  • Apply biosecurity measures to prevent spread of invasive plant fragments between sites, cleaning tools and equipment and following containment procedures.
  • Maintain inventory of vine management materials—mulch, herbicides (if licensed), ties, anchors, PPE and replacement parts—and submit requisitions to keep crews operational.
  • Stay current with horticultural best practices, local invasive species regulations and techniques for green wall systems by attending trainings and maintaining professional certifications as needed.

Secondary Functions

  • Support scheduling and coordination for multi‑site maintenance routes and special projects, optimizing crews and equipment allocation.
  • Provide on‑site client education, including handouts and verbal recommendations for vine prevention, planting alternatives and seasonal care.
  • Assist with proposal and bid preparation by supplying technical details, labor estimates and photographs for potential ivy remediation projects.
  • Participate in pre‑job risk assessments and jobsite safety briefings; document incidents and suggest corrective actions for continuous safety improvement.
  • Assist in trial plantings, propagation and small‑scale restoration efforts to replace invasive vines with appropriate native climbers or groundcovers where indicated.
  • Contribute to the company’s sustainability initiatives by recommending non‑chemical control methods and native plant solutions where feasible.
  • Maintain equipment cleanliness, perform pre‑shift checks and minor tune‑ups, and coordinate heavier maintenance with the fleet manager.
  • Record crew hours, material usage and site conditions using mobile devices or paper logs and report to supervisors for payroll and invoicing accuracy.
  • Support community outreach or educational events about invasive species management and vertical gardening practices.
  • Participate in continuous improvement efforts by providing feedback on tools, techniques and operational bottlenecks to leadership.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert pruning techniques for vines and climbers, including formative cuts, renewal pruning and selective thinning to reduce bulk and structure load.
  • Invasive species identification and eradication methods specific to ivy species (e.g., Hedera helix, Parthenocissus spp.) and common vine problems.
  • Safe use and maintenance of ladders, extension poles, pole saws, pruning saws, hedge trimmers, chainsaws (where applicable) and powered lifts.
  • Rope access, harness use and elevated work procedures for working on walls and tall structures; familiarity with fall protection systems and PPE requirements.
  • Installation and maintenance of trellis, cable and anchor support systems for training and containment of vines.
  • Soil assessment and amendment skills, including compost incorporation, mulching techniques and root zone care to improve plant health or exhaustion.
  • Basic knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM), disease recognition and treatment prioritization; ability to coordinate with licensed applicators when chemicals are needed.
  • Application of herbicides and plant growth regulators when certified, with accurate mixing, calibration and logging of product use.
  • Ability to read and interpret landscape plans, substrate details for green walls, and masonry constraints to avoid structural damage.
  • Estimating and job scoping skills for labor, materials and access requirements on ivy removal and training projects.
  • Familiarity with erosion control and slope stabilization methods after large‑scale vegetation removal.
  • Use of mobile field reporting tools and digital photography to document site conditions and treatments; basic record‑keeping for service histories.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail with an eye for plant health, structural risk and aesthetics.
  • Clear verbal communication and client‑facing skills to explain work plans, risks and post‑service recommendations.
  • Time management and route planning to complete scheduled maintenance efficiently across multiple properties.
  • Team leadership and training ability to mentor junior crew members in safe vine management practices.
  • Problem‑solving mindset to adapt techniques to complex facades, historic masonry, or sensitive ecological sites.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform prolonged outdoor work in varied weather conditions.
  • Safety‑first attitude and adherence to company safety protocols, PPE requirements and regulatory standards.
  • Customer service orientation with professionalism in residential and commercial settings.
  • Organizational skills for inventory tracking, materials requisition and adherence to service documentation standards.
  • Continuous learning orientation and willingness to obtain certifications (e.g., pesticide applicator, arborist or fall protection training).

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; demonstrated horticultural aptitude.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree, certificate, or coursework in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape technology or related field.
  • Certifications such as ISA Certified Arborist, state pesticide applicator license, OSHA 10/30 or rope access instruction are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Horticulture
  • Arboriculture
  • Landscape Architecture / Landscape Technology
  • Botany / Plant Sciences
  • Environmental Science / Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of hands‑on grounds, landscaping or horticulture experience with at least some focused time in vine/ivy management or climbing plant care. For supervisory or lead roles, 3–7+ years is common.

Preferred:

  • 2–4 years specifically managing invasive vines or maintaining vertical/green wall systems.
  • Experience with client communication on remediation plans, and demonstrated safe use of ladders, lifts and rope access systems.
  • Licenses/certifications pertinent to the role (commercial pesticide applicator, ISA certification, first aid/CPR, and relevant local credentials).
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