Careers

WORKING AT KEI

At KEI, the growth of our people is a top priority. Career opportunities span a range of specialties from horticulture and construction to sales and business areas. As our organization grows, so does our need for enthusiastic, well-trained professionals. We offer a challenging, yet rewarding work environment and we view our people as our greatest competitive advantage. Whether you are a college student looking for an internship or a seasoned landscape veteran seeking a better opportunity, we encourage you to reach out. Let’s see how you might fit into our successful, expanding organization.

At KEI, from the moment we “bring someone on the bus” we start to build a long-term commitment that benefits you, the client, and the company. We encourage people to step outside their comfort zone. Real growth requires it, and our culture supports it. We also give our team members a safe and well-equipped work environment and an open and communicative company culture that is fun.

COMPANY BENEFITS THAT SERVE ALL OF US

The people are the company and we recognize the importance of providing an environment that encourages each of us to rise to our full potential. At KEI, the greatest benefits we offer are skills training and the opportunity for personal development. We are committed to providing the necessary means for individual success. A custom-designed facility, the latest in tools and equipment, and a knowledgeable, supportive management staff demonstrate that commitment.

A brief listing of our company benefits – both tangible and intangible:

• Employer-subsidized health insurance
• Employer-subsidized dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401k and other incentive plans
• Paid vacation/PTO
• Regular employee appreciation events
• Language courses
• Membership in leading trade organizations
• Education reimbursement
• Industry certifications
• Employee awards programs
• Safety seminars
• Technical and leadership training, including industry certification

KEI WANTS PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

Comprised of motivated, empowered professionals who are excited about the future, KEI offers a challenging, yet rewarding work environment. We view people like you as our greatest advantage. Whether you are a college student looking for an internship or a seasoned veteran seeking a career opportunity, we encourage you to contact us. Let’s see how you might fit into our successful, expanding team.

Internships at KEI

At KEI, we believe that in order to satisfy our external clients, we first need to satisfy our internal ones: our people. Our commitment to employee satisfaction and development stems from a firm belief that our people are our most valuable resource. We celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, babies, weddings and more. We do our best to maintain a healthy work-life balance for our team and work hard to provide a positive, creative and nurturing work environment. Because we have multiple multiple locations, not everyone has an opportunity to interact daily, but on a regular basis we schedule training, social activities and other events to gather as a full team. 

The goal of our Internship Program is to provide interns with some “hands-on” experience in a fast-paced, real-world industry setting. During the program, interns will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of how a large, full-service landscape company operates. You will have the opportunity to be involved in company meetings, outings, training seminars and special intern events.

INTERNS

Each specific program begins with an in-depth orientation that serves to communicate everyone’s expectations and develop a plan to best meet the goals of both the intern and the company.

OPTION 1 – ROTATIONAL PROGRAM

This program is recommended for students who haven’t had a previous internship experience. Students will spend time in each of the following areas:

• Landscape Management
• Landscape Construction
• Landscape Enhancement
• Interior Plantscaping and Holiday Decorating (optional)
• Sales and Customer Service
• Estimating and Design
• Management and Administration

OPTION 2 – CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM

This program is recommended for students who have had some previous work or internship experience and wish to focus on a particular area of interest.

Students will spend the majority of their time in one particular area and will be given responsibility for a summer-long project, but will also have the opportunity to gain some experience in other divisions.

OPTION 3 – SCHOOL STRUCTURED PROGRAM

This program is available to assist students in meeting criteria that may be required by their specific school.

RECENT GRADUATES

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a rotational program for recent graduates with outstanding leadership potential. Rewards include career development, exposure to key areas within KEI, frequent developmental feedback, and accelerated career growth for successful participants. LDP participants are “high-potential” graduates who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. Target candidates include those with business acumen (through work experience or education) and the desire and aptitude to lead teams.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully completed an accredited 2- or 4-year college program emphasizing ornamental horticulture, landscape management, general management, marketing or similar
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal
• Experience holding an officer role in extracurricular organizations
• Relevant work history that reflects experience in directly supervising others, delegating tasks and resolving conflicts
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The program consists of three distinct job assignments over the course of 18 to 24 months. The initial assignment is supervisory. Subsequent assignments may include additional supervisory roles or an individual contributor role.

In the supervisory rotations, participants are placed in leadership positions in customer service and technical work environments. These functional areas are essential and provide the knowledge and skills designed to promote long-term career growth. Here, participants enhance their interpersonal skills and demonstrate their ability to unify a team and accomplish results through others.

The individual contributor role, which is generally a non-supervisory assignment, can be in many different areas. These include training, marketing, sales and finance, to name just a few.

EXPERIENCED HIRE

Is it time for you to make a switch to the right team?

KEI is always looking for gardeners and laborers with all levels of experience to join our team. If you bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn, we will give you the training and tools needed to be successful. We offer a company and a career that you can take pride in with a culture focused on creating a safe working environment that rewards loyalty and dedication with opportunities for growth.

We’re proud of the people we work with and their “let’s make it happen” attitude. Ours is a positive, creative and exciting culture. You won’t hear “that’s how it’s done around here.” We are not a corporate landscape mill. Our people have flexibility to do their jobs with “no one breathing down their back” they have their goals, know what to do, and do it!

If you love working outdoors and want to be part of something fun, something more than just a job, come see what we can do together.

HOW DO YOU FIT IN AT KEI?

• Account Manager
• Business Developer
• CDL Driver with Tanker endorsement
• Chemical applicator
• Crew Leader (maintenance, construction, snow)
• Crew person (maintenance, construction, snow)
• Designer
• Estimator
• Holiday Decor Installation Technician
• Horticulturalist
• Interior Plant Technician
• Marketing
• Mechanic
• Office and Accounting Support