Old Westbury Gardens welcomes volunteers to help as gardeners, docents, receptionists, clerical assistants, and sales associates in the gift and plant shop.  In addition, we are looking for volunteers who can help with several of our special events.  Our current volunteer staff works at least four hours a week during our April-December season, contributing a minimum of fifty hours a year.  In some positions, the volunteer may be asked to come in during our off-season.  Volunteer opportunities are as follows:

Gardeners

Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays & Fridays.  Shifts are between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Volunteer gardeners preserve the beauty of Old Westbury Gardens along with highly skilled horticulturists in a designated area (Cutting Gardens, Demonstration Garden, Dried Flower Garden, Grounds, Rose & Cottage Garden or Walled Garden).  Duties include: planting, edging, weeding, pruning, deadheading, transplanting, watering, fertilizing, cultivating, staking, raking, cutting, mulching, shoveling & harvesting.  Work in dried flower arranging is also available.

Volunteer gardeners must be at least 17 years old and in good physical condition, as work requires bending, lifting and working in hot, sunny weather.  They must enjoy working outdoors and have an interest in horticulture.  Experience in horticulture (i.e., home gardens is appreciated but not necessary.

Docents

Wednesday through Mondays.  Shifts are between 9:30 am - 1:30 pm or 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Docents provide approximately 45 minute pre-arranged and walk-in tours of both Westbury House and Gardens.  Docents are articulate, comfortable speaking in front of groups, and very enthusiastic about learning and conveying the history and beauty of Westbury House and Gardens.  Docents must be interested in art, antiques, architecture and horticulture.

Receptionists

Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays & Fridays.  Shifts are between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Receptionists greet and direct visitors by providing information on tours, upcoming events and programs, and general information on Old Westbury Gardens.  They restock brochures, forms and fliers in order to keep a neat and informative front desk.  Receptionists also track the number of visitors and establish order for scheduled group tours and walk-in tours.  Receptionists are responsible for maintaining a smooth flow of tours by overseeing where the docents are at each point.

Receptionists must be at least 18 years of, organized, friendly and ready to greet all visitors with a smile.

Retail Associates

Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays & Fridays.  Shifts are between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Retail associates assist customers and ring up purchases on the register.  Gift Shop volunteers restock inventory.  Plant Shop volunteers maintain inventory by watering and deadheading the plants as per the Plant Shop managers request.

Retail associates must be at least 17 years old, have experience with a cash register and enjoy speaking with the public.  Knowledge of plant care and interest in horticulture is helpful in the Plant Shop.

Clerical Assistants

Mondays - Fridays.  Shifts are between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Clerical assistants help out "behind the scenes" in the Development, Public Programs, Public Relations or Business offices wit bulk mailings, hand addressing envelopes, filing and possible some computer work.

Clerical assistant must be at least 17 years old, neat, organized and detail oriented.

Public Programs & Events

As needed basis

The Department of Public Programs offers many classes, performances and other activities for children, including Kidsfest, Storytime, Family Fridays, Scottish Games, Holiday Celebrations, etc.  We often need help working with the public on the day of the event.  Volunteers will assist staff in presenting these programs, many of which occur on weekends.