Botanical Garden Aide for Arboretum and Grounds

The New York Botanical Garden; New York (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 Vacation Days

12 Paid Holidays

10 Sick Days

Health Coverage

401K

Pension Plan

Job summary

The New York Botanical Garden is seeking a Botanical Garden Aide to support the gardening staff in maintaining turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds. The role involves lawn mowing, trimming, weeding, and general landscape upkeep throughout the year.

Under supervision, you will operate lawn mowers and small machinery, assist with pruning, and help move plants and supplies. The position requires physical stamina and weekend/overtime flexibility, with a New York license or the

Qualifications

• High School grad or GED required.
• Minimum six months experience with plants in gardening/landscaping.
• Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Must perform physical tasks in varying conditions.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules including weekends; overtime as needed.
• New York State driver's license at time of appointment or ability to obtain within 3 months.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintenance of turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds.
• Operate lawn mowers, string trimmers, landscape blowers, and other grounds equipment.
• Assist with pruning of trees and shrubs as necessary.
• Assist with moving plants and garden supplies around the landscape.
• Participate in the Plant Health Care Program by monitoring and treating plant health conditions.
• Remove snow and ice from landscapes and treat pathways to prevent buildup.
• Operate small machinery as needed for certain tasks.
• Other related work as required.

Skills

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Flexibility

Scheduling availability

Driver's license

Follow instructions

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Lawn mowers

String trimmers

Leaf blowers

Job description

Title

Botanical Garden Aide

Reports To

Manager of Arboretum and Grounds

Application Deadline

October 5th, 2026

Position Summary

The Botanical Garden Aide, under direct supervision, assists foreman of gardeners and other members of the gardening staff to maintain the Garden's turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds and performs other related garden work and general maintenance as required. This position performs general garden maintenance work such as lawn mowing, string trimming, weeding, and leaf removal, and operates machinery necessary for the performance of these duties including lawn mowers, string trimmers, rakes, blowers, shovels, etc. Turf maintenance is the primary focus of the position throughout the growing season, but additional grounds maintenance duties requiring the use of a range of horticultural tools will be required throughout the year.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with maintenance of turf areas, tree and shrub collections, and planting beds.


• Operates lawn mowers, string trimmers, landscape blowers, and other grounds and turf equipment.


• Assists with the pruning of trees and shrubs as necessary.


• Assist with moving plants and garden supplies throughout the landscape.


• Participates in the Plant Health Care Program by helping to monitor and treat health conditions of plants in the living collections.


• Removes snow and ice from landscapes, and treat pathways to prevent the buildup of such.


• Operate small machinery when necessary to perform specific tasks.


• Other related work, as required.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or GED.


• A minimum of six months working with plants in gardening or landscaping position.


• The ability to follow instructions and work as a team.


• The ability to perform strenuous physical tasks in a variety of conditions.


• Flexibility to work different schedules, including Saturdays and Sundays, and overtime if required.


• Motor Vehicle Operator's License valid in the State of New York at time of appointment or the ability to obtain a license within three months of employment.

Physical Demand & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools and power equipment, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to perform tasks repetitively.




• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Schedule

• This is a full-time role, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4 PM
  
  
  
  • Must be able to occasionally work on weekends when scheduled.
  
  
  • Must be available to work some overtime as needed throughout the year
  
  
  
  

Salary

• $40,896 *( $47,030)
  
  
  
  • *Current Garden union employees that have been employed for 2 years qualify for the higher salary rate. If a non-Garden and non-union applicant is appointed, they will be eligible to advance to the higher incumbent rate after two years.
  
  
  
  

Benefits

• 15 Vacation Days


• 12 Paid Holidays


• 10 Sick Days


• Health Coverage


• 401K


• Pension Plan

Accommodation Contact

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at [e-mail]