Ecological Horticulturist

Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Inc.; New York (NY); Presencial; USD 33.000 - 37.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Comprehensive benefits package

Descripción de la vacante

Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. is seeking an Ecological Horticulturist to maintain gardens, meadows, and green streets with ecological landscape practices on Randall's Island.

The role emphasizes ecological stewardship balanced with aesthetics and visitor experience, coordinating with a horticulture crew and supervising seasonal staff as needed. Responsibilities include plant propagation, irrigation management, volunteer program support, and contributing to programming and events.

Formación

• B.A. in Public Horticulture or related field or equivalent certificate/courses, or 3 years hands-on horticulture experience.
• Strong gardening skills and familiarity with gardening tools.
• Knowledge in management and maintenance techniques of native ecosystems.
• Strong native/non-native, perennial/annual, tree/shrub and weed identification skills.
• IPM skills and integrated pest management knowledge.
• Understanding of ecological practices and ability to balance ecology with design and visitor experience.
• Knowledge of invasive weeds and ecological techniques.
• Willing to work outdoors in all weather, with ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Flexibility to work overtime and weekends.

Responsabilidades

• General maintenance/oversight of all landscapes and gardens including wildflower meadows, woodlands, perennial gardens, and green streets with tasks like propagation, soil cultivation, digging, deadheading, mulching, watering, weeding, edging, seed sowing, and pruning.
• Apply plant knowledge, cultural requirements, and botanical nomenclature, including transplanting and soil preparation.
• Maintain aesthetics with landscape design considerations for color, texture, and sightlines.
• Assist in training seasonal staff and providing direction.
• Assist with programming activities and events as needed.
• Support volunteer groups in meadows and gardens.
• Provide information for social media posts to Communications.
• Support research projects like pollinator monitoring and vegetation surveys.
• Maintain horticultural databases.
• Hand water and monitor irrigation during establishment and drought.
• Create containers for seasonal displays.
• Act as ambassador for Randall's Island and answer visitor questions.
• Operate hand tools and basic power machinery; report repairs as needed.
• Drive vehicles and operate other equipment incidental to duties.
• General clean-up of beds and paths; ensure equipment is secure.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Conocimientos

Gardening skills

Garden tools

Ecological practices

Plant identification (native/non‑nativ

IPM knowledge

Ecological landscape design

Public interaction

Team leadership

Physical stamina

Educación

B.A. in Public Horticulture or related fields

Equivalent horticulture certificate/coursework

3 years hands-on horticulture experience

Herramientas

Backhoe/loader

Skidsteer

Tractor

Greenhouse techniques

Descripción del empleo

Title: Ecological Horticulturist

Job Type: Full-Time, Year-Round; Monday – Friday, plus overtime and weekends when needed, Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $24-$27/per hour

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package 60 days following date of hire (health insurance, paid time off, etc.)

Work Location: Randall's Island Park, New York City 10035

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. (RIPA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that works with the City of New York and local communities to provide an innovative and exciting destination through a wide range of sports venues, public programs, cultural events, and environmental exploration. The Ecological Horticulturist will report to the Director of Grounds and the Horticulture Manager and work with members of the Horticulture crew to maintain Randall's Island Parks' gardens, meadows, and green streets with an emphasis on ecological landscape management, thoughtful landscape design, and creating attractive, welcoming spaces that enhance the visitor experience. Randall's Island Park is a dynamic public park and horticulture practices must balance ecological stewardship with aesthetics, functionality, and maintenance needs. The Ecological Horticulturist will also assist with volunteer events, tours, and programming, as needed.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• General maintenance/oversight of all landscapes and gardens including wildflower meadows, woodlands, perennial gardens, and green streets. Tasks include, but are not limited to, plant propagation soil cultivation, digging, deadheading, thinning, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, seed sowing, bed preparation, tree and shrub pruning, planting, and caring for existing gardens
• Apply knowledge of plants, their cultural requirements, and their botanical nomenclature, including protection and transplanting of existing plants, soil preparation, watering fertilization, irrigation, IPM etc.
• Apply an understanding of landscape design and aesthetics when maintaining and developing gardens, meadows, green streets and other areas with consideration to plant composition, color, texture, scale, sightlines and the overall visual experience of park patrons.
• Assist with training and developing seasonal staff members, giving occasional direction.
• Assist with the preparation of programming activities/festivals, as needed.
• Assist with volunteer groups in the meadows and gardens, as needed.
• Provide the Communications team with information for occasional social media posts.
• Support research and data collection projects, including pollinator monitoring, bloom phenology, and vegetation surveys, and work collaboratively with members of the Natural Areas and Park-as-Lab team.
• Maintain horticultural databases with accuracy.
• Hand water and monitor irrigation of plantings, especially during time of establishment and drought.
• Create and maintain containers for seasonal and holiday visual displays.
• Act as an ambassador for Randall's Island, answering questions from visitors, including horticulture, park design, history, and general information.
• Operate hand tools and basic power machinery, including hedge trimmers, weed whackers, and leaf blowers and will report need for replacement or repairs to Management.
• Drive vehicles and operate other motorized equipment incidental to the performance of duties.
• General clean-up of garden beds and paths, including litter removal.
• Ensure all equipment is secure and well-maintained.
• Perform all other general tasks as assigned.

This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• B.A. in Public Horticulture or related fields OR equivalent horticulture certificate/coursework OR 3 years hands-on experience in horticulture/landscaping.
• Strong gardening skills and familiarity with gardening tools.
• Knowledge in management and maintenance techniques of native ecosystems.
• Strong native/non-native, perennial/annual, tree/shrub and weed identification skills.
• Integrated pest management skills and techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of ecological practices.
• Ability to balance mindful ecological practices with design, aesthetics and visitor experience.
• Knowledge of invasive weeds and ecological techniques.
• Willing to work outdoors in all types of weather, under strenuous conditions.
• Ability to use light power equipment and tools.
• Ability to shift priorities and focus, when needed.
• Ability to collaborate and create positive working relationships.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects.
• Ability to perform physical labor; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Motivated and punctual, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work overtime and weekends, when needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 years or more of hands-on gardening/landscaping experience.
• Experience working in public parks and knowledge of landscaping techniques.
• Experience with, and knowledge of plants native to the North-East area of the United States.
• Familiar with greenhouse techniques and plant propagation including annuals, perennials, natives, and non-natives.
• Knowledge of composting.
• Basic carpentry skills.
• Experience operating equipment (ie. Backhoe/loader, skidsteer, tractor, etc.).
• Experience working with volunteers and the public.
• Knowledge of sustainable landscape design.
• Familiarity with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

The Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes in an inclusive and diverse workspace.

RIPA maintains confidentiality of all applications and therefore will never contact a present employer without prior consent from the applicant.