Horticulturist

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 2/20/23  Compensation: $28/ hour

The horticulturist is an employee of Friends of the High Line and an integral part of FHL’s Park Operations team. Under the general supervision of the Director of Horticulture, the horticulturist is responsible for the year-round care and maintenance of the High Line’s landscape and living collections. Working interactively with a team of horticulturists, custodians, maintenance technicians, and High Line administrators, the horticulturist’s responsibilities include all aspects of monitoring, caring for, and reporting on designated park zones, including diverse plantings of herbaceous perennials, trees, and shrubs, hardscape elements, and public use of the park.

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Daily checks of garden beds and paths, including cleaning up debris and litter
  • Daily maintenance of the assigned garden zone, including weeding, planting, dividing and transplanting, pruning, cut-back, and clean-up
  • Monitor soil moisture and hand water as needed
  • Maintain plant health through Integrated Pest Management principles, including scouting, identifying, reporting, and documenting pests and diseases
  • Maintain and stage tools, equipment, supplies, and materials for daily horticulture operations
  • Operate power gardening tools with the requisite training and in accordance with the High Line’s Standard Operating Procedures
  • Operate parks’ vehicles when requested
  • Group projects, including working with volunteers, Spring Cutback, and green waste management
  • Proactively communicate with your supervisors and teammates regarding the status of your work.
  • Document, report, and catalog landscape maintenance information
  • Contribute items to the weekly horticulture meeting agenda
  • 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; guiding tours when requested
  • Assist with training and orientation of seasonal gardeners, interns, and volunteers
  • Assist with the development, organization, and implementation of horticulture programs, publications, and tours as requested
  • Work with the Director of Horticulture and other FHL Horticulture staff to achieve departmental strategic goals
  • Attend meetings as part of the High Line Horticulture team and Operations department
  • Participate in ice and snow removal
  • Support other parks operations departments with various tasks as needed
  • Perform other duties as needed

Qualifications/Requirements

  • Two or more years of experience in landscape maintenance, agriculture, or nurseries
  • Expertise in the seasonal and long-term care for diverse plantings of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, and bulbs, including knowledge of plant culture, maintenance, and identification
  • Demonstrated knowledge of naturalistic planting design
  • Detail-oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness
  • Commitment to perform any and all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of the garden and overall park management
  • Must be a collaborative team player and committed to maintaining positive engagement with the public and colleagues
  • Basic PC skills and familiarity with MS Office and Google Suite
  • Maintain a Class D Drivers License valid in the State of New York that must be obtained for the duration of the appointment
  • Commitment to complete and abide by safety training as required

Preferred Experience (but not required)

  • Horticulture degree or certificate
  • Proficiency in operating, troubleshooting, and repairing drip irrigation systems.
  • Experience working in a crowded urban park

Abilities

  • Ability to walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and regularly lift and/or move 50 lbs with proper tools
  • Able to traverse 5-10 miles of the High Line daily
  • Ability to operate electric equipment and power tools in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures
  • Able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed
  • Can work outdoors in all weather conditions, sometimes for extended periods and sometimes near adjacent construction sites



 

 

 

 


 

Additional Information

Benefits: 

  • 20 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 9 paid holidays
  • Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Supplemental short-term disability insurance and paid life insurance
  • Commuter benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Contribution in a 403(b) retirement plan
  • Discounted Citi Bike membership
  • Employee Assistance Program

Contact Information

Friends of the High Line, Inc.
Website: Apply Online