Botanical Garden Maintainer Horticulture

Queens Botanical Garden Society•New York, NY

8h•$53,997 - $79,276•Onsite

About The Position

Queens Botanical Garden is hiring a Botanical Garden Maintainer to maintain and repair the Garden’s grounds, equipment, and facilities under general supervision, and to assist Gardeners with caring for living collections in the Garden and Arboretum. The position also involves keeping records and preparing reports on work performed and materials used. The Maintainer performs groundskeeping and horticultural work, including soil and seed-bed preparation, lawn care, pruning and planting assistance, irrigation-system operation and troubleshooting, and greenhouse and nursery maintenance. The role includes operating, maintaining, and repairing gardening equipment and vehicles; supervising seasonal employees and volunteers; and removing snow, trash, and other obstructions. Work may include heavy physical labor in all weather conditions and weekend, evening, or emergency assignments. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a Sunday-through-Thursday schedule from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The salary range is $53,997 (hiring rate), $62,097 (incumbent rate), to $79,276 (maximum).

Requirements

High school graduation.
Three years of experience in professional landscaping, gardening work, and equipment maintenance and repair.
A New York State-valid motor vehicle driver’s license at the time of appointment, maintained thereafter.
Ability to perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions.
Ability to work weekends, evenings, and emergencies, which may include snow removal.
May be required to pass a written and/or practical test.

Nice To Haves

Excellent record-keeping, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Experience training staff in proper use of equipment.
Experience training and working alongside subordinate staff.
Ability to organize and lead volunteer groups.

Responsibilities

Maintain and repair botanical garden grounds, property, greenhouses, paths, sidewalks, equipment, structures, and facilities.
Assist Gardeners with maintaining and caring for living collections in the Garden and Arboretum.
Prepare soil and seed beds; grade, sod, weed, mulch, and mow lawns; assist with repairing planted areas, fertilizing, and watering.
Assist with pruning and spraying trees, shrubs, and plants, and with integrated pest control.
Perform groundskeeping tasks including mowing, trimming, edging, turf renovation, leaf collection, pruning, litter and debris removal, ice and snow removal, and perimeter sidewalk cleaning.
Operate, care for, adjust, repair, and maintain hand and power gardening tools and equipment.
Manage the 88-station inground 2-wire irrigation system, including electrical and plumbing repairs, scheduling, programming, cleaning, and troubleshooting system alarms.
Keep records and prepare reports on work performed and materials used.
Drive vehicles and operate other motorized equipment incidental to the work.
Dig up, ball, burlap, and transplant trees and shrubs; dig up and transplant sod.
Perform tasks involved in greenhouse and nursery maintenance and operations.
Supervise subordinate seasonal employees and volunteers.
Clean grounds by removing snow, trash, and other obstructions, and paint fixtures and equipment as directed.
Train staff in proper equipment use and organize and lead volunteer groups, as strengths desired for the position.