Natural Areas Crew Leader

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: October 2025 to June 30, 2026 Compensation: New Hire $31.06 Incumbent $35.72 - 40 hour work week.

NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. The Division of Environment and Planning 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 Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund the restoration and management across these ecosystems. Employees who work for 6 months or longer are eligible for healthcare benefits. All seasonal employees earn sick and annual leave. All employees receive free membership to our recreation centers.

Responsibilities/Duties

Under general supervision, plan and lead natural areas management work, including identifying and protecting native species, identifying and controlling invasives, identifying and mitigating erosion concerns, removing debris and trash, planting and maintaining planting sites, improving trails and application of herbicide. Work may be performed in multiple habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands.
Train and supervise crewmembers in completing restoration tasks including but not limited to identifying and removing invasive plants, planting native species, identifying and mitigating erosion concerns, and establishing and care of planting sites.
Train and supervise crew members in proper use and care of equipment and materials including two-cycle equipment such as hedgetrimmers and chainsaws, and specialty hand tools such as pick mattocks and McLeods.
Coordinate with other staff to plan and participate in community volunteer stewardship events in natural areas, including planting, site maintenance, trail improvements and clean-ups.
Maintain records and prepare written reports, including the daily entry of fieldwork into web-based databases.
Utilize mapping platforms such as ArcGIS and data on ArcGIS Online to create and update maps, track work progress and communicate across teams, as well as to partners across the Agency and outside the Agency such as conservancies.
Coordinate on-site restoration efforts with park managers, local community groups and other agencies.
Interact with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Qualifications/Requirements

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 one year of full-time experience in installing and maintaining trail improvement structures to mitigate erosion.
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 baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in an area related to the duties described above
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 6 months of the work experience described in “1” above.

Additional requirements for Assignment Level II
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.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
A motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment. Commercial Pesticide Applicator – Category 3A License Requirement
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 duration of employment.
Two years of full-time experience in ecological restoration work, including experience in: planting, cultivating and caring for native forest plants; removal of invasive plants by mechanical, chemical and manual means, or Bachelor’s or graduate degree with emphasis in botany, ecology, forestry, wildlife management or related field.
Experience supervising field crews
Expert in identifying both native and invasive plant species of the northeastern United States.
Ability to safely lift 50 lbs. of weight.

Additional Information

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 for all other candidates.
Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $85.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $101.25.00 background check fee.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Here Natural Areas Crew Leaderhttps://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/natural-areas-crew-leader-in-nyc-all-boros-jid-35663 OR Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 726481.

All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.
*Current City Employees please include your ERN and Job ID# on your cover letter and resume.

POST DATE: 08/15/2025 POST UNTIL: FILLED
References will be required upon request. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Contact Information

NYC Parks Dept.