Gardener I for Citywide Nursery at City of New York

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

The Division of Environment and Planning (E&P) aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Horticulture group aims to foster & enrich horticulture across NYC Parks, inspiring the use of best practices by our gardeners, with an eye towards biodiversity, utility, beauty, the well-being of all our parklands, and its visitors. Through the Citywide Nursery, we grow quality native species and native cultivar plants for use in agency & community partner projects across our parklands.

Major Responsibilities

• Under supervision from the nursery manager, assist in general horticulture work, including landscape maintenance, plant production, and care for facilities of the Citywide Nursery.
• Perform all aspects of greenhouse and outdoor plant production: transplanting of starter materials, preparation of soil mixes and potting operations, weeding, watering, fertilizing; moving of stock; pulling and loading of stock to fill orders.
• Perform nursery yard maintenance including but not limited to identifying and controlling invasive species, removing debris and trash, weed whacking, mowing lawn areas, seeding, maintenance of hoop houses and irrigation systems.
• Use and care for a variety of hand and power tools and equipment. Make necessary operating adjustments and report needs for repairs and replacements to supervisor.
• Drive vehicles and operate certain other motorized equipment including mowers, tractors, and two-cycle equipment.
• Perform safety checks on facilities and equipment; Clean and maintain facilities
• Maintain records and prepare written reports, including daily entry of propagation and plant distribution into database.
• Assist with nursery administrative tasks as needed. Including but not limited to researching seed and plant orders and assisting with requesting quotes from vendors.
• Supervise employees and volunteers and instruct them in proper planting and maintenance techniques.
• Manage and supervise volunteer events.
• Confer regularly with supervisor and report on work productivity, performance and disciplinary issues, keeping records as needed.
  
  

Work Location: Citywide Nursery, Bronx

How to Apply: Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 754355.

All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.

• Current Employees please include your ERN on your cover letter and resume.
  
  

NOTE: All resumes must be received no later than the last day of the posting period. References will be required upon request.

nyc.gov/parks

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

For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov)

GARDENER - 81310

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following planting, cultivating and caring for trees, plants shrubs and lawns; or
• A certificate from a horticulture or botanic program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, etc.; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to 1 above. Thirty semester credits from an accredited college, at least fifteen of which must be in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, botany, landscape design or architecture, entomology, forestry, floriculture, plant production and/or crop management, may be substituted for the one year of the work experience described in 1 above.
• To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, after meeting the qualification requirements for Gardener - Assignment Level I, candidates must have one additional year of satisfactory, full time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following areas: propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs and lawns. To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, candidates must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator - Category 3A License issued by the New York State Department of Environmental conservation. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.
  
  

Driver License Requirement: A motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

• Permanent Gardeners will receive preference in hiring. 2. At least one year of experience working in a nursery or greenhouse setting. 3. Excellent communication and writing skills. 4. Comfortable using Microsoft office programs, including MS Word, Excel and Access. 5. Strong organizational and leadership skills, and ability to motivate a crew. 6. Ability to safely lift 40 lbs. of weight.
  
  

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

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.

, $50,448.00 – $58,015.00