Compost Driver

Queens Botanical Garden Society•New York, NY

11d

About The Position

The Compost Driver will play a key role on the Compost Team at Queens Botanical Garden, supporting the delivery and hauling of materials, providing technical assistance at community gardens, engaging in community outreach, helping to process SSOW (source-separated organic waste), and moving piles as needed. The position requires flexibility, a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance, and a friendly, enthusiastic approach to promoting our composting efforts with the public. This role involves heavy physical labor daily, including lifting, hauling, carrying, tipping, stacking, and moving materials, as well as climbing and working on uneven surfaces. Applicants must be able to safely perform these essential physical tasks. The Compost Driver is expected to always uphold the highest safety standards, including the safe operation of our fleet, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adherence to site protocols, and proactive hazard identification to protect staff, volunteers, and community members.

Requirements

Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean record and experience driving large vehicles (14-24 feet)
OSHA 30-hour certified, or willing to complete OSHA 30-hour training upon hire
Experience with dump trucks and/or box trucks and lift gates is highly desirable
Able to use Garmin navigation systems consistently to navigate to delivery and community sites safely and efficiently
Familiarity with NYC truck routes and ability to navigate NYC streets confidently
Skilled in—or eager to learn—how to operate heavy machinery such as our Kubota skid steer and Kubota tractor
Demonstrate the ability to safely operate—or quickly learn—specialized composting equipment such as our Bacchus compost turner and Sittler compost screener
Demonstrates a willingness to enroll in professional development opportunities as they arise and as recommended by the Compost Project Manager (These opportunities are fully supported and funded by the Garden)
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
Ability to lead and assist physical projects, and lift 50 pounds safely
Ability to perform diverse, sometimes repetitive, tasks that can be physically demanding including kneeling, climbing, bending, stooping, and reaching
Standard power and hand tools proficiency is an important part of this role
Capable of independently troubleshooting and optimizing a variety of small-scale composting systems, including Earth Machines, tumblers, Hotboxes, and three-bin systems
Friendly, calm, and approachable demeanor suited for engaging with diverse community members
Organized and proactive, with strong problem-solving skills and an eye for detail
Ability to communicate effectively using Microsoft Outlook, Slack, and Reach UC to coordinate schedules, share updates, support team operations, etc.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a New York State Defensive Driving Course within the past two years is a plus
Carpentry skills are highly desirable
Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred, particularly in languages commonly spoken in the communities we serve (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Bengali)

Responsibilities

Process SSOW at our mid-scale site by chopping food scraps, removing contaminants, spreading sawdust, tipping water, building and turning windrows, monitoring temperatures, and sifting finished material to produce high-quality compost
Drive a 14’ dump truck and other fleet vehicles to deliver/pick up feedstock, finished compost, tools, and promotional materials to/from community sites (e.g. urban farms, schools, community gardens)
Coordinate delivery schedules and routes with the Compost Project Manager, ensuring timeliness and efficiency
Receive feedstock deliveries, documenting source and quantities, guiding safe unloading, and staging materials according to site protocols
Perform work on uneven terrain, including climbing and moving across windrows, feedstock piles, and compost mounds while maintaining balance and situational awareness
Keep accurate records of all deliveries, materials hauled, materials received, and technical assistance provided, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely submission of reports to meet all deadlines
Assist with the oversight of the vehicle fleet, including cleanliness and organization of all equipment and ensuring machinery is fueled
Serve as part of the snow removal team, collaborating with the Horticulture and Operations departments to clear snow and ice from Garden’s grounds and perimeter
Represent QBG at community events, including staffing food scraps drop-off sites (FSDOs), tabling, and other outreach activities
Provide technical assistance at community gardens and at local schools, assessing and improving composting systems to optimize their functionality
Lead tours of our Mid-Scale Compost Site and our Compost Demonstration Site
Occasional supervision of assistants, interns, and/or volunteers
Provide friendly and informative customer service, answering questions about composting and other QBG programs
Attend team meetings on time and collaborate with QBG staff to support the Compost Department's goals
Support the team as needed and/or directed by the Compost Project Manager