Seed Team Coordinator

DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION in Staten Island, NY, seeks a Community Coordinator to manage the seed program, coordinate seed handling and greenhouse operations, and support restoration initiatives. You will supervise staff and volunteers, collaborate with partners, and help execute seed distribution and outreach activities.

The role emphasizes organizational skills, field and nursery work, and data management, with a focus on community engagement and program impact.

Qualifications

• Degree and/or experience aligned with community work or related duties.
• Experience in seed handling, nursery operations or restoration ecology preferred.
• Ability to manage records, GIS data and inventories effectively.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate seed program operations: scheduling, harvesting, storage and workflows.
• Research and implement best seed conservation practices and germination protocols.
• Coordinate seed cleaning, labeling and storage workflows for collections.
• Supervise staff and volunteers across multiple worksites with planning.
• Support seed distribution: pulls, inventory, seed mixes and requests.
• Collaborate with nursery staff, researchers, and partner organizations.
• Assist with field collections and greenhouse activities as needed.
• Support workshops and community seed activities and data collection.
• Interact with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Skills

Organizational skills

Seed handling

Record keeping & GIS

Project coordination

Outdoor work & lifting 50 lbs

Education

Bachelor-level degree + 2 years experience

High school diploma + 6 years experience

Equivalent combination with 1+ year experience

Tools

GIS

Inventory management systems

Databases

Job description

*ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT FULL-TIME ANNUALLY PAID PARKS EMPLOYEES*

The Natural Resources Group manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars in grants from state, federal, and private sources over the past several decades to fund restoration and management across these ecosystems. The Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECaN) is the Division’s native plant and seed nursery. Our programs provide live plants, develop bulk seed and store ecologically appropriate seed to meet City and agency needs.

Major Responsibilities

• Under general direction, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, coordinate the daily operations of the seed program, including scheduling, prioritizing, and overseeing seed harvesting, storage, inventory management, and related workflows to support efficient program operations, seed propagation and restoration goals.
• Research and implement best practices in seed conservation technology, particularly those related to the storage and germination of wild seeds, through literature reviews, laboratory testing of storage and viability, data analysis and protocol development.
• Coordinate and support seed cleaning, processing, labeling and storage workflows to ensure the timely handling and organization of seed collections.
• Provide supervision to assigned staff and volunteers, including managing schedules, creating work plans and facilitating productive operations across multiple worksites.
• Support seed distribution operations by coordinating seed pulls, inventory availability, seed mixes and the fulfillment of requests.
• Collaborate with nursery staff, researchers, public agencies, nonprofit partners, and community groups to support seed collection, seed farming, production, training, and related program initiatives. This position may also assist with field collections, outdoor production activities, and cross-team operational support, as needed.
• Support workshops, volunteer seed-cleaning events, trainings, data collection, and other activities that expand participation and capacity within the regional seed and plant material supply chain.
• Assist with other team operations at PECaN, as needed. Tasks may include facility and landscape management, transplanting, plant health care, and other essential horticultural and administrative duties.
• Interact with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Work Location: Staten Island, Plant Ecology Center and Nursery

Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee between $40.00 to $101.00 based on the salary range of title. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $104.50 background check fee.

nyc.gov/parks

MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• 2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• 1. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in managing inventory, data, and workflows.
• 2. Experience with seed handling, plant propagation, nursery operations, restoration ecology, or related horticultural work.
• 3. Ability to maintain accurate records and work effectively with databases, GIS, and inventory management systems.
• 4. Ability to coordinate projects and collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, researchers, and partner organizations.
• 5. Comfortable working outdoors and in greenhouse conditions and safely lift up to 50 pounds.

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 within 90 days of hire 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.