Seasonal Gardener

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: Immediate  Compensation: $25/hour

The High Line is a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. Through our work with communities on and off the High Line, we’re devoted to reimagining public green spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities.

Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors—all while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City. Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations. The High Line is owned by the City of New York and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

Job description
The seasonal gardener is a temporary 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 seasonal gardener is responsible for the care and maintenance of the High Line’s landscape and living collections. Working interactively with a team of gardeners, custodians, maintenance technicians, and horticulture administrators, the seasonal gardener’s responsibilities include all aspects of monitoring and caring for the High Line’s landscapes, including diverse plantings of herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs, hardscape elements, and public use of the park.

This is a full-time, temporary, non exempt position. This position will report to the Horticulture Manager.

Responsibilities/Duties

  • Assist year-round Horticulture staff with the tasks listed below:
    • Daily checks of garden beds and paths including cleaning up debris and litter
    • Daily maintenance of the assigned area, including weeding, planting, dividing and transplanting, pruning, cut-back, and clean-up
    • Monitor soil moisture and hand water as needed
    • Group projects including working with volunteers, Spring cutback, and debris management
    • Document, report, and catalog landscape maintenance information 
  • Stage equipment, supplies, and materials for daily horticulture operations
  • Proactively communicate with the Horticulture staff regarding the status of your work
  • 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 
  • Support other parks’ operations departments with various tasks as needed
  • Regularly attend meetings as part of the High Line Horticulture team and Operations department
  • Maintain tools and equipment
  • Operate power gardening tools with requisite training and in accordance with the High Line’s Standard Operating Procedures
  • Perform other tasks as needed

Qualifications/Requirements

  • One or more seasons of experience in landscape maintenance, agriculture, or nurseries
  • Detail-oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness 
  • Willing to collaborate on any and all tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of garden and overall park management 
  • Must be a team-player and willing to maintain positive engagement with the public and colleagues
  • Basic PC skills and familiarity with MS Office and Google Suite 
  • Willing to complete and abide by safety training as required

 Preferred qualifications

  • Experience working in a crowded urban park

Required 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 of time and sometimes near adjacent construction sites

Contact Information

Friends of the High Line
Website: Apply Online