Botanical Garden Maintainer Horticulture

Code No. 92810

Queens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis where people, plants and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision, performs responsible maintenance and repair of botanical garden grounds, equipment, and facilities; performs related work.

Assists the Gardeners in maintaining and caring for living collections in the Garden and Arboretum, performs related work as required.

Keeps records and prepares reports on work performed and materials used.

Examples of Typical Tasks

Maintenance and repair of grounds, property, greenhouses, path, sidewalks and other equipment, structures, and facilities in a botanical garden (which includes snow removal and assistance with garbage pick-up).

Under general supervision assists the Gardeners in the following tasks:

• Preparation of soil and seed beds. Grades, sods, weeds, mulches and mows lawns. Assists in repairing damaged planted areas, fertilizing and watering soil. Is trained in pruning and spraying trees, shrubs and plants and assists with integrated pest control.
• Performs groundskeeping tasks such as mowing, trimming and edging, turf renovation, leaf collection, pruning, litter and debris removal, ice and snow removal, perimeter sidewalk cleaning
• Operation and care of hand and power gardening tools and equipment. Makes necessary operating adjustments to and repairs and maintains same
• Manages 88 station inground 2-wire irrigation system with computer controller. Performs electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, scheduling, programming, cleaning, and troubleshooting system alarms
• Keeps records and prepares reports on work performed and materials used
• Drives vehicles and operates any other motorized equipment incidental to the performance of duties
• Assists in and performs tasks such as digging up, balling, burlapping and transplanting trees and shrubs. Digs up and transplants sod.
• Performs tasks involved in maintenance and operations of greenhouses and nurseries
• Supervises subordinate seasonal employees as well as volunteers
• As directed, performs various tasks in connection with cleaning of grounds including removal of snow, trash and other obstructions and painting of fixtures and equipment

Qualification Requirements 

High school graduation and three (3) years of experience in professional landscaping, gardening work, and equipment maintenance and repair. 

Appointments or Promotions

Appointments to positions of this class are subject to personnel administration policies and procedures of the botanical garden concerned, provided that all appointees must possess at least the qualifications recommended above.

License Requirements

A Motor Vehicle Driver’s License valid in the State of New York at time of appointment and ability to maintain.

Additional Requirements

• May involve weekend, evening and emergency (for example, snow removal) work
• May involve weekend, evening and emergency (for example, snow removal) work
• Machine and equipment operation and maintenance, small and large, including leaf blowers, string trimmers, edgers, aerator, rototiller, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, walk behind mowers, zero turn mowers, tractor, skid steer, excavator, pickup truck, dump truck, woodchipper, utility vehicle, electric golf cart, snow plows, snow blowers,
  
• Performs heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions,
  
• May be required to pass a written and/or practical test
  

Strength in several of the following is desired

• Excellent record keeping, communication (both verbal and written), and interpersonal skills
• Training staff in proper use of equipment
• Training and working alongside subordinate staff
• Organizing and leading volunteer groups 

Note: Roman type is generally taken directly from the New York City job description. Italics have been added for clarification for Queens Botanical Garden. Some language in this description is taken from other City titles.

Schedule

This position requires a 40 hours/week schedule Sunday through Thursday 7am-4pm schedule.

Benefits and Salary

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center. 

If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources.

Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination strongly recommended for employment.

Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (physical or mental), age, marital status, veteran/active military service member status, political affiliation, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, genetic information, immigration or citizenship status, status as victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, employment/unemployment status, salary history, credit history, marital/partnership stratus, caregiver status, height and weight, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email or phone 718-886-3800 x 203.