Seasonal Gardener

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 04/03/2023  Compensation: $16 - $21 / hr

Reports to: Director or Horticulture
Uniformed: Yes         Hours/Week: 40         OT Eligible: Yes         FLSA: Non-Exempt
Start Date & Term: Seasonal, up to 8 months from date of appointment

The Trust is a public benefit corporation created by act of the New York State Legislature and a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The mission of the Trust is to design, construct and maintain a prominent, and very heavily used, 4 mile long waterfront park on the west side of Manhattan.  The Park includes landscaped public piers and display gardens, lawn areas, ecological planting zones, athletic fields, esplanades, docks, public sculptures and other special features.  Approximately 75% of the Park has been constructed with a mix of State, City and Federal capital funding. 

Job Description:
The Seasonal Gardeners will perform all aspects of landscape and general park maintenance including the care of the park’s urban tree canopy, understory plantings, perennials, formal and naturalized gardens, lawns, and plantings of seasonal interest.  The successful candidates have prior experience in gardening and/or landscaping, be capable of performing quality work, be punctual and have excellent attendance, adhere to agency uniform policy and work well with others. This is a not a permanent position.

Responsibilities/Duties

Specific Tasks & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plant Health Care:  

  • Maintain and oversee diverse plantings of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, grasses and bulbs.
  • Perform seasonal gardening/landscaping work such as pruning, weeding, fertilizing, deadheading, mulching, dividing, planting, soil placement, etc.
  • Observe tree and plant conditions and report maintenance needs to supervisor as necessary.

Turf Care: 

  • Perform seasonal landscaping work such as mowing, edging, trimming, aerating, topdressing, overseeding, dethatching, sod installation and associated clean up, etc.

General Maintenance: 

  • Remove litter and other debris from plant beds and lawn areas.
  • Keep pavements and adjoining surfaces clean.

Safety: 

The Trust places the highest value on the safety of our staff, contractors, volunteers and the general public. 

  • Perform tasks safely and comply with requirements for use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Must safely operate tools, vehicles, and specialized equipment.

Other: 

  • Must be willing and able to work with volunteer groups and our weekly regular volunteers. This includes but is not limited to event setup/breakdown, oversight of volunteers during events and maintaining inventory of tools & equipment. Must engage volunteers with a positive attitude.
  • Must be willing and able to perform duties of other divisions/positions as directed or required commensurate with need and incumbent’s level of skill.

Qualifications/Requirements

Education & Experience:

  • Candidates with experience, basic plant identification skills and general knowledge of turf care or degree in Horticulture, Turf grass Management, or other related field are preferred. 

Special Requirements:

  • Act in a professional manner at all times with other staff, outside contractors, vendors and park patrons.
  • A valid driver’s license with a clean history is preferred.
  • Direct physical labor (lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, squatting, digging, etc.) is expected and seasonal gardeners must be willing and able to work in all weather conditions.
  • Candidates should have an interest in learning and acquiring new skills.

Additional Information

https://hudsonriverpark.org

Contact Information

Hudson River Park
Contact Name: Matt Post
Email: resumes@hrpt.ny.gov
Phone: 212-627-2020