Ecological Horticulturist - Parks & Meadow Steward

Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Gardening skills

Garden tools

Ecological practices

Plant identification (native/non‑nativ

IPM knowledge

Ecological landscape design

Public interaction

Team leadership

Physical stamina

Education

B.A. in Public Horticulture or related fields

Equivalent horticulture certificate/coursework

3 years hands-on horticulture experience

Tools

Backhoe/loader

Skidsteer

Tractor

Greenhouse techniques

Job description

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.