Senior Gardener
(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities
Start Date: March 2026 Compensation: $45-$50 per hour or based on experience
We are seeking an experienced Senior Gardener (part-time or full-time) to join our growing company. The senior gardener is a leadership role that requires sound horticultural experience, excellent problem solving skills, an artistic eye for detail and a genuine interest in creating and maintaining beautiful garden spaces.
Matthew Placek Inc. is a boutique landscape design and maintenance group specializing in residential rooftops, terraces, and townhouse gardens throughout New York City. Leading with an artist’s perspective and a personal love for horticulture, Matthew Placek Inc. has grown to serve high end clients across NYC.
This is an on-site, seasonal, independent contractor position (March - December). There is opportunity for growth for the right candidate. Hourly rate is based on experience.
Responsibilities/Duties
As lead gardener, you are responsible for the oversight, health, beauty and maintenance of our client’s gardens along with daily reporting to management and directing garden crew.
- Installing new gardens along with planting, transplanting, pruning, training vines, weeding, fertilizing, mulching, sweeping and cleaning.
- Correctly identify plants and implement management plan for optimal health and performance.
- Oversee and maintain irrigation systems and manage seasonal adjustments.
- Pest ID and pest management (using organic methods).
- Identify issues, pro-actively problem-solve and report them to management.
- Comply with office paperwork in a timely manner.
- Direct, train and oversee health and safety of gardening crew.
- Maintain the design intent and presentation established for each garden along with providing suggestions for improvement.
- Liaising with high-end clientele and reporting back to management.
- Pick up supplies as needed. Drive supplies to location and load-in with crew support.
- Drive to Long Island/NY/NJ Nurseries, select and purchase plants.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Horticulture certificate or degree in related field, and a minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field. A minimum of 1 year experience with high end, ornamental city gardening preferred.
- Excellent plant ID and plant care skills along with irrigation experience, artistic pruning skills and basic pest ID and pest management experience.
- Strong sense of design, color and proportion within the context of ornamental gardening.
- Pro-actively identify and problem-solve issues quickly and resourcefully.
- Great verbal and written communication skills along with organizational skills.
- Experience leading, managing and training staff.
- Experience fostering professional relationships with high-end clientele.
- Ability to carry a load of 50 lbs. up and down a flight of stairs and work in a variety of weather conditions.
- Ability to survey a site and choose plants to suit the site and the client’s needs.
- Clean driving record with valid driver’s license.
Additional Information
How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume to hortulis@matthewplacek.com. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.
Contact Information
Matthew Placek Inc.
Email: hortulis@matthewplacek.com