Employment

The Violet Barn

Employment opportunities

What appears below is the same posting as appears in our shop.

Keep in mind that everyone loves plants. But not everyone loves working with plants--especially every day, to earn a paycheck. Those that succeed, and are happy, working here are those that can find something in the work itself that they enjoy. If you are here only for the paycheck, or only for the friendship with coworkers, or only for to be around plants, you will not be happy working here in the long run. However, for those than find the work intrinsically satisfying, this can be a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

We are always looking for good help, especially those people who have a legitimate interest in working with plants and/or a career in horticulture. For those interested in working at 'The Violet Barn', send us an e-mail expressing your interest to violetbarn@aol.com with the subject "employment at Violet Barn".

Some background about the business:

We breed, propagate, and sell African violets, related plants, and other unusual tropical houseplants to collectors and hobbyists everywhere in the world.
We have been in business since 1985, and located in Naples, NY since 1992.
We are a unique business, and are world-famous for what we do.
We are a year-round operation. We are not seasonal.
We sell about 50,000 plants each year. At any given time, there may be about 30,000 saleable plants growing on the premises.
We do not buy and resell--everything we sell is grown here. We are a production business.
We are primarily a specialty mail-order business. Less than 10% of our revenues come from retail shop sales.

About the work and the environment:

Entirely indoors. Environmentally (climate) controlled.
"Hands on". There are no machines to do the work here. Everything is done by hand.
Generally quiet and peaceful. Plants don't talk. Though people here are friendly and it's OK to be sociable, if you must constantly socialize, you won't be happyt here.
You will sometimes be working independently (by yourself).
Constant training, learning, and correction. At times, it will seem nothing you do is right--this is natural and expected. it will be a least a year before you can expect to fully understand all of your assignments. Even longer to master them.
Stationary. Often long periods at a desk. Plants don't move!
Some physical strength and flexibility. Plants are grown from floor level to overhead--watering and grooming them means some bending and use of small ladders.
Smoke free. Absolutely no smoking in or on premises during the workday. No odor of smoke on you or your clothing--if you smoke, this will be a significant obstacle to overcome.

What the work is NOT:

"Watching" the plants grow. Your job is not to simply "monitor" the plants. Growing is an active process.
Customer service. The owners and, sometimes, the growers, will do this. For the most part the product "sells itself"--producing a quality product, not salesmanship is most important.

What the work IS: In decreasing order of time spent on each

Potting plants. Lots of them. During the course of a year, you will pot thousands of plants.
Wrapping and packing plants for shipping. 1-2 days each week.
Grooming plants. Trimming and pruning. Again, thousands of plants.
Watering plants. Carefully (we don't sprinkle with big garden hoses).
Propagating plants. Rooting cuttings. Only trained, full-time staff, does this.
Cleaning. Washing pots. Making soil. Other preparation work. Mostly done by part-time.

JOB TITLES AND POSITIONS

General Information:

Wages and benefits are competitive for the industry (are actually quite generous) as well as for the cost of living in the area.
Wages are merit (performance) based. Education, background, or seniority are of little importance.
It is "all about the plants"! Those that produce more healthy, high-quality, saleable plants are more valuable and get paid more.
Hours of operation are Monday thru Saturday, year-round (except for major holidays), 9-5 pm.
Eight week probation period before eligibility for most fringe benefits.

Part-time: 12-20 hours per week.

Pay starts at $7.25/hour.
Flexible hours. You can negotiate your schedule. Once you choose schedule, however, you must stick to it! You must be reliable and dependable.
Responsibilities: Cleaning, washing, soil mixing, tearing and cutting packing materials.
    Preparatory work, like filling pots with soil, helping with shipping or packing.
    Assisting the full-time staff.
    Only the most skilled part-time staff is given hands-on "plant" work, such as potting or grooming.
Benefits. Eligible only for year-end bonuses.

Full-time: 40 hours per week.

Pay starts at $7.50/hour. Regular raises then given as you learn skills. Most full-time will earn $9/hour or more within a year of hiring.
Usually, Monday thru Friday, 9-5 pm. Must work on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Responsibilities: See the "what work is" section. Mostly hands-on "plant" work.
    Diversity of work and plants cared for will increase as you learn skills.
    Once fully-trained, you may be assigned plants that you will be solely responsible for.
    If desired, promotion to "grower" position when merited.
Benefits. Profit-sharing, employer-subsidized health insurance, year-end bonuses, employer-funded retirement account.

Grower: 40 hours per week.

Offered only to those with proven skills, specialized experience, and legitimate career interest.
Do not apply for this position unless you meet the above qualifications.
Pay starts at minimum of $10/hour. Most will earn significantly more. Raises based upon skills and additional responsibilities.
Usually, Monday thru Friday, 9-5 pm. Must work on Mondays and Tuesdays. Occasional weekend worked in exchange for weekdays.
Responsibilities: Same as "full-time", with some differences.
    Greater diversity of work and plants cared for. Dealing more with plants as "finished" product.
    Growing plants that can be presented for exhibition, display, or photography.
    Sole responsibility for one or more kinds of plant material. Work more independently.
    Management of inventory and scheduling of production for assigned plant material.
    Some sales and management responsibilities.
Benefits. Profit-sharing, employer-subsidized health insurance, year-end bonuses, employer-funded retirement account.
Eligible for year-end growers bonuses based upon performance.