Garden Manager

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

 Compensation: $30p/hour

GARDEN MANAGER 
BROOKLYN GRANGE (DESIGN/BUILD DEPARTMENT)
LOCATION: BROOKLYN NAVY YARD, GREATER NY METRO AREA
JOB TYPE: FULL TIME, SEASONAL

Brooklyn Grange is seeking a focused, positive, hard-working leader to help expand our Maintenance Program for off-site, client based green roofs and urban landscapes.  The Design/Build/Maintenance division is charged with the care of varied sites that include residential terraces, indoor green walls, commercial green roofs, rooftop meadows, and edible landscapes.

The Garden Manager is an aesthetically driven, focused team member who can maintain Brooklyn Grange’s standards for landscaped spaces.  Responsibilities include oversight and management of client sites, including: execution of gardening tasks, ensuring quality gardening practices on-site, team management, client correspondence, and recordkeeping.  Garden Managers will also be responsible for leading, training, supporting, and providing clear feedback to Gardeners or other crew members, helping to cultivate a cohesive, strong, and effective team. The Garden Manager should also be proficient with power tools and have a strong understanding of irrigation management and installation as they will lead small scale installations and redesigns of clients’ spaces.

Garden Managers should be comfortable working independently and must be prompt and clear when communicating with the Director of Design/Build, Head of Horticulture and Maintenance, other Garden Managers, Gardeners and other team members.   This position requires strong leadership and systems acumen, adept people skills, versatile plant knowledge, and frequent physical labor in varied weather conditions.  The Garden Manager will also model and help ensure a culture of kindness, respect, support, and inclusivity for our team, as well as for the clients and community with whom we engage. 

SCHEDULE: Work will be Full Time, seasonal from February 15th to December 15th, with weekly hours varying throughout the year.  As the gardening season ramps up, you can expect to work 40+ hours per week (from approximately Mar-Dec).  Work will include pre-scheduled onsite maintenance work and light administrative work. Some work days can be expected to begin at 6:00AM.  

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Brooklyn Grange is the world's largest green roof farming and intensive green roof business.  We grow vegetables, keep bees, and host programming & events on roofs in Brooklyn, NY.  We also design and install green roofs, gardens, and farms for clients ranging from private homes, to corporate headquarters, to non-profit organizations and schools.

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING:

  • A progressive work environment as part of a small and enthusiastic team 
  • Hourly rate of $30.00 per hour
  • Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
  • Family, Medical, Bereavement, and other applicable leave
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Participation in the company’s life insurance plan, with option for additional coverage amounts
  • Participation in the company’s retirement benefit
  • Employee Assistance Program to support overall mental wellbeing, caregiving assistance, and other benefits 
  • Discounted Employee CSA offering
  • Discounts to Brooklyn Grange events and workshops, and access to NYC’s most delicious vegetables when in season

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Oversee and execute all aspects of plant maintenance, quality control, and successful upkeep of Brooklyn Grange’s client green spaces, using organic maintenance and gardening methods to ensure a high degree of beauty and plant health.  
  • Plan, lead, and execute small-scale installations or garden renovation projects, including but not limited to irrigation installations, container garden installations, garden redesigns, and small to mid-size plant outs.
  • Develop and foster client relationships, timely and professionally correspond with clients, and manage client expectations while speaking to Brooklyn Grange’s standards for quality and respect.
  • Manage, support, and help train Gardeners: cultivate onsite skills and horticultural growth; establish consistent standards and expectations re: quality; provide and receive feedback.
  • Undertake regular check-ins with Gardeners at least twice during the season
  • Cultivate strong and positive communications with the team.
  • Coordinate with the Head of Horticulture and Maintenance and other Garden Managers on plant selection, plant orders, van use, and other logistical matters. 
  • Contribute to Maintenance team meetings.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Horticulture and Maintenance on development of trainings for team throughout the season. 
  • Assist with other tasks and administrative work within the Design/Build department, as-needed, including but not limited to Brooklyn Grange facilities gardens, as well as  installations support, and other work as-needed.

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Has 3+ years of experience in landscape maintenance, including leading teams on site
  • Holds a strong knowledge of Eastern plants of zones 4 through 7b including: plant ID’s, growth habits, bloom times, training requirements, and preferred soil types and hydration requirements. 
  • Can implement and train others on best gardening practices for ornamental, edible, and native landscapes.
  • Has a strong proficiency in power tools, irrigation systems management and installation, and a strong understanding of pest/plant disease identification and management
  • Is highly organized and systems-oriented, with an eye for efficiency.  Enjoys improving upon systems, protocols, practices.  Can multitask and prioritize workload.
  • Is self-motivated and independent, has a strong work ethic, and can learn quickly.
  • Is also collaborative, thrives as part of a team, and can motivate and support team members.  
  • Is a clear communicator, both in writing and in conversation. 
  • Can navigate Google Drive, MS Excel, record and enter data into spreadsheets, etc.
  • Can lift 50 lbs. repeatedly, and can squat, kneel, bend over, & reach for extended periods of time.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. 
  • Demonstrates a passion for sustainability, a concern for equity, and is motivated to create more beautiful green spaces that center greater respect for people and planet.

Additional Information

TO APPLY:

  • Through Brooklyn Grange’s ADP Portal
  • Include resume and cover letter
  • Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Brooklyn Grange is committed to supporting a diverse and multicultural team, and fostering an inclusive workplace. We consider all individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, age, sex, gender, disability, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  If you don’t meet every requirement of this position, but you are excited about the role and your past/lived experience meet some of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Contact Information

Brooklyn Grange
Website: Apply Online