Seasonal Gardener

Friends of the High Line•New York, NY

3d•$27•Onsite

About The Position

The seasonal gardener is a temporary employee of Friends of the High Line and an integral part of the park’s Operations team. Under the general supervision of the Senior Director of Horticulture and the Senior Horticulture Manager, seasonal gardeners are responsible for the care and maintenance of the High Line’s landscape and living collections. Working interactively with a team of horticulturists, maintenance technicians, environmental service technicians, and horticulture administrators, the seasonal gardeners' responsibilities include all aspects of monitoring and caring for the High Line’s landscapes, including diverse plantings of herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs, hardscape elements, and public use of the park.

Requirements

One or more seasons of experience in landscape maintenance, agriculture, or nurseries with knowledge of plant culture and plant identification.
Detail-oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness.
Willing to collaborate on any and all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of garden and overall park management.
Must be a collaborative team-player and willing to maintain positive engagement with the public and colleagues.
Basic PC skills and familiarity with MS Office and Google Suite.
Willing to complete and abide by safety training.
Ability to walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and regularly lift and/or move 50 lbs with proper tools and equipment.
Able to traverse 5-10 miles of the High Line daily.
Ability to provide verbal and written communication that is clear, concise and accurate.
Ability to operate electric equipment and power tools in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
Able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, sometimes for extended periods of time and sometimes near adjacent construction sites.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a crowded urban park

Responsibilities

Assist year-round Horticulture staff with the tasks listed below:
Daily maintenance of the assigned area, including weeding, planting, dividing and transplanting, pruning, grooming, cut-back, mulching and clean-up.
Monitor plants and soil moisture daily and hand water as needed.
Repair minor irrigation leaks and breakages.
Scout, identify, report, and document pests and diseases.
Ensure cleanliness and safety of the park including daily checks of garden beds and paths, cleaning damage, debris and litter.
Daily maintenance of horticulture related hardscape such as signages and plant bed protections, including repair, replacement and installation.
Clean, maintain, and stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily horticulture operations.
Document, report, and catalog landscape maintenance information.
Support team projects such as green waste management, plant deliveries, operation space and storage clean-up, tree pruning and removal, and Spring Cutback.
Operate power tools and equipment after requisite training and in accordance with the High Line’s Standard Operating Procedures.
Proactively communicate with the Horticulture staff regarding the status of your work.
Act as an ambassador for Friends of the High Line, answering questions for park visitors about horticulture, High Line history, design, and general park information.
Attend scheduled meetings as part of the High Line Horticulture team and Operations department.
Support other parks’ operations departments with various tasks as needed.
Perform other tasks as needed.