Motor Vehicle Operator

The-New-York-Botanical-Garden; New York (NY); On-site; USD 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Paid holidays

Sick days

Health coverage

401K

Pension plan

Job summary

The New York Botanical Garden is seeking a Motor Vehicle Operator to manage a diverse fleet, including trucks, loaders, and snow equipment. You will transport garden officials and materials to off-site locations and assist with maintenance checks and safety tasks.

Responsibilities include operating heavy machinery, loading and transporting materials, and supporting on-site and off-site operations, with a focus on reliability and safety.

Qualifications

• Must pass a practical exam.
• Possess a valid New York state driver's license.
• Experience operating construction equipment preferred.
• Ability to maintain medical certification per CDL requirements.
• Rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Operate fleet vehicles and heavy equipment including trucks with trailers and plows.
• Load, offload, and transport materials, equipment, and plants.
• Pick up supplies from vendors and drive staff to off-site events.
• Perform routine maintenance checks on vehicles and report defects.
• Support snow and debris removal and assist in heavy work as needed.
• Coordinate with grounds staff for transport of coins and materials.

Skills

Driver's license

Lift 50 lbs

Equipment operation

Outdoor work in all weather

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Backhoe

Front end loader

Forklift

Job description

Title:

Motor Vehicle Operator

Reports To:

Manager of Arboretum and Ground

Application Deadline:

October 2nd, 2026

Position Summary

Under general supervision, operates all types of motor vehicles, including but not limited to front end loaders, backhoes, skid steers, forklifts, trucks with trailer, plow trucks, salters, liftgates, trams, rack body trucks, passenger vans, passenger cars, and all new NYBG fleet vehicles and heavy equipment with GVW over 18,000 pounds and performs related work. Transports garden officials and materials to meetings and appointments outside the garden.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates all types of vehicles, including, but not limited to fleet vehicles, passenger cars, trams, trucks with plows, forklift, front end loaders, and trucks with trailers. Drives a truck or fleet vehicle carrying employees and materials to and from work locations.
• Loads, offloads, and transports materials, equipment, and plants to locations within and outside the garden.
• Picks up supplies, materials, and plants from vendors.
• Drives NYBG staff to off-site events.
• Operates heavy equipment in the removal of snow and debris. Assist in the removal of heavy trees and shrubs.
• Operates equipment utilized in the Green Materials Recycling Area including, but not limited to, Diamond Z Tub Grinder, Soil / Compost Screener.
• Schedules and performs routine maintenance on all vehicles and equipment. Checks overall condition of vehicles and reports any noticeable mechanical defects in the vehicle to the supervisors.
  • Checks the tires, oil and fuel of the vehicle.
  • Checks vehicle to see that lights, horn, and brakes appear to be operating properly.
  • Cleans the windows and interior and exterior of the vehicle.
  • Changes tires or wheels, as needed.
• Reports any accidents in which the vehicle may have been involved.
• Operates motor equipment mounted on, or transported by, the vehicle
• Watches for traffic hazards while labor force is engaged in making emergency repairs.
• Is responsible for tools, supplies, materials, and equipment carried in or on the assigned vehicle.
• Transports collectors and cases of coin boxes to and from collection areas.
• Prepares trip reports.
• In a small garage may dispatch personnel, motor vehicles, and equipment.
• When not driving, may be required to perform such additional duties as running errands, answering phones, and delivering mail and/or small packages.

Qualifications

• Must pass a practical exam.
• Must possess a Driver’s License valid in the State of New York.
• Experience operating Construction Equipment such as Backhoe and or wheeled front end loader preferred.
• Ability to maintain medical certification per Commercial Driver’s License requirements.
• May be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and weather emergencies.
• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

This position is classified as Code 91212 and is a public safety title requiring medical examination.

Physical Demand & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors and under glass 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Schedule

• This is a Full-Time Union Role, Monday to Friday, 8AM to 4PM
  • Must be able to occasionally work nights, weekends and weather emergencies when scheduled.
  • Must be available to work overtime as needed throughout the year

Salary

• $46,441 *($53,407)
  • *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

Accommodations

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