Gardener

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: September 2024  Compensation: $49,000 starting salary

The Battery is one of New York City’s oldest public open spaces, located at the tip of Manhattan overlooking New York Harbor. The Battery Conservancy was created in 1994 to rebuild the Battery and Castle Clinton National Monument, in partnership with city, state, federal agencies, and private donors. The park features extensive perennial gardens designed by the Battery’s master horticultural planner Piet Oudolf, encompassing all of his different garden styles over the past decades. The Gardener position is full-time, non-exempt and reports to operations management. The Battery is 100% pesticide free. 

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Care for extensive naturalistic herbaceous perennial gardens, trees, shrubs, bulbs, and turf.
  • Perform routine maintenance including but limited to: watering, weeding, planting, pruning, propagating and transplanting of perennials and mulching.
  • Supervise seasonal interns and gardeners.
  • Serve as an ambassador of The Battery Conservancy, answering the park visitor’s questions about horticulture, history and design of the park, and general park information.
  • Lead volunteer groups, both corporate and individual.
  • Scout for pests and disease, and create monitoring reports.
  • Debris and trash removal. Storm and snow management as needed.
  • Operate and properly maintain tools, equipment and irrigation system within your garden zone.

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Two or more years horticultural experience and/or related field.
  • Degree or certificate in horticulture preferred.'
  • Ability to use and operate standard landscaping power and hand tools.
  • Familiar with Piet Oudolf's design concept and/or ability to learn.
  • Strong knowledge of plant maintenance and identification.
  • Experience supervising volunteers.
  • Able to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed.
  • Ability to work as part of a team or alone, in all weather conditions.
  • Perform heavy physical work on a daily basis. Must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds.

Additional Information

The Gardener position is year round, full-time 40 hours per week. Hours are 7 am - 3 pm Tuesday - Saturday (April-October) and Monday - Friday (November - March). Excellent benefit package which includes medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K, monthly omni card, and 37 days PTO in the first year. 

To apply: Please send resume and cover letter to positions@thebattery.org with “Gardener” in the subject line. No phone calls please. 

Contact Information

The Battery Conservancy
Contact Name: Sean Kiely