Gardener

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing New York City's green spaces as a Gardener. This rewarding position involves caring for trees, flowers, and shrubs across the city's iconic parks and recreational areas. You'll play a vital role in planting, cultivating, and maintaining a variety of plant life, ensuring the beauty and health of our public spaces. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a tangible impact in the community, this role is perfect for those passionate about horticulture and environmental stewardship. If you're ready to contribute to the lush landscapes of NYC, this is the opportunity for you!

Benefits

Earn vacation and sick leave

Free membership to recreation centers

Qualifications

• One year of full-time gardening experience required.
• Certificate in horticulture or equivalent education accepted.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planting and caring for trees, flowers, and shrubs.
• Maintain greenhouses and nurseries, prepare soil and seed beds.

Skills

Gardening

Plant Care

Soil Preparation

Record Keeping

Supervision

Vehicle Operation

Education

Certificate in Horticulture or Botany

30 semester credits in relevant fields

Tools

Hand Gardening Tools

Power Gardening Tools

Motorized Equipment

Job description

Join NYC Parks this spring and summer for a rewarding job caring for trees, flowers, and shrubs. From the iconic Central Park to neighborhood playgrounds, we own and operate some of the most spectacular green spaces in the world. NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land – 14% of New York City. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, and 51 recreational facilities.

Perks: Earn vacation and sick leave every month and receive free membership to our recreation centers.

THIS JOB VACANCY NOTICE IS FOR GARDENER POSITIONS IN QUEENS.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist in the planting and cultivating of trees, flowers, and shrubs including tasks such as digging up, balling, burlapping, transplanting trees and shrubs, digging up and transplanting sod, potting flowers and plants as well as propagating plant life and pruning and spraying trees, shrubs, and plants.
2. Assist in the maintenance and operations of greenhouses and nurseries.
3. Prepare soil and seed beds. Grade, sod, weed, mulch, and mow lawns. Repair damaged planted areas, fertilizing and watering soil.
4. Assist in and perform tasks involved in the operation and care of hand and power gardening tools and equipment. Make necessary operating adjustments to same; report needs for repairs and replacements to supervisor.
5. Perform simple record keeping and prepare simple written reports.
6. Drive vehicles and operate other motorized equipment incidental to the performance of duties.
7. May supervise seasonal employees, as well as volunteers.

Duration: 6 months, approximate start date 4/15/25.

Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $68.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $101.25 background check fee.

HOW TO APPLY:

All Applicants:
Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 702485. All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.
*Current City Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.

References will be required upon request. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

GARDENER - 81310

Minimum Qualifications

1. One year of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs, and lawns; or
2. A certificate from a horticulture or botanic program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, etc.; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to 1 above. Thirty semester credits from an accredited college, at least fifteen of which must be in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, botany, landscape design or architecture, entomology, forestry, floriculture, plant production, and/or crop management, may be substituted for the one year of the work experience described in 1 above.
4. To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, after meeting the qualification requirements for Gardener - Assignment Level I, candidates must have one additional year of satisfactory, full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following areas: propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs, and lawns. To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, candidates must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator - Category 3A License issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.
5. Driver License Requirement: A motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

1. Familiarity with local and ornamental plant species.
2. New York State Pesticide Applicator License category 3A or 7 a plus.
3. Ability to initiate and complete projects in a timely manner.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam, or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.