Gardener I or II - Sections

Central Park Conservancy

304d • $48,000 - $58,000

About The Position

The Gardener in the Landscape Management Department of the Central Park Conservancy provides all manner of care to the landscape and planting areas within the park. The Gardener supports the care and maintenance of hardscape areas within an assigned Section. The Gardener works under the guidance of the Section Manager, Assistant Manager and Foreperson. It is expected that the Gardener will work within and across their Section and with other staff in Landscape Management to perform their primary tasks.

Requirements

• A certificate from a horticulture or botanical program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or a bachelor’s degree from accredited college in a related field; or
• Two years of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in caring for trees, shrubs, perennial and annual plant material, and lawns; or
• Satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to #2 above.
• Possess a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of gardening; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals.
• Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment.
• Ability to identify ornamental and native plant material specific to the northeast US.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to lift 50lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience as described above that is equivalent to 5 years of continued increase in responsibility in gardening.
• Proficient understanding and working knowledge of gardening; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals.
• Ability to provide guidance and act as an informal resource for technical gardening tasks to colleagues and volunteers.
• Ability to provide verbal and written communication to effectively share technical gardening responsibilities.
• Demonstrated full proficiency of essential job duties.
• Satisfactory performance evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Care for and maintain all plant beds and their surrounding landscapes in an assigned Section according to an established schedule to organizational standards.
• Monitor landscape plants for insects and diseases.
• Perform pruning, weeding, planting, mulching, irrigation, raking, leaf-blowing, sweeping, basic irrigation system maintenance, and other related tasks.
• Prepare landscape beds for planting.
• Plant annuals, perennials, bulbs, woody plants and trees in compliance with approved design.
• Perform all manner of horticultural care, routine and seasonal maintenance, cultivation, transplanting, and pruning as necessary.
• Install and repair fence as needed and as directed.
• Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash in landscapes, paths, and perimeter; empties trash cans as necessary; sweep around benches, stairs and entryways.
• Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on paths, entrances, playgrounds, perimeter, and other hard surfaces with machines and hand labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards.
• Maintain surface drainage by keeping catch basins free of debris during heavy rainstorms and snow and ice in the winter months.
• Work with volunteers and seasonal interns.
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks.
• Display the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in groups.
• Keep supervision informed on important developments concerning assigned landscape management tasks.
• Keep records and makes simple written reports.
• Interact with Park patrons and colleagues in a professional manner and answer plant identification questions.
• Assist in the preparation of special events as needed.
• Operate various types of equipment including utility vehicle, light or medium weight trucks and tractors.
• Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair.
• Participate in all training sessions and seminars.
• Provide reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, and quality of life issues.

Benefits

• Salary ranges (based on level of experience): Gardener I: $48,000 - $58,000; Gardener II: $55,000 – $67,000.
• In-person (not remote role).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed