Gardener I or II - Sections

Gardener Position

Reports to : Section Manager

Department : Park Operations

Status : Full-time / Non-Exempt

About the Central Park Conservancy :

Central Park is one of the world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $1.6 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City. The Conservancy's mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $100 million.

Position Summary :

The Gardener in the Landscape Management Department of the Central Park Conservancy provides all manner of care to the landscape and planting areas within the park. The Gardener supports the care and maintenance of hardscape areas within an assigned Section. The Gardener works under the guidance of the Section Manager, Assistant Manager and Foreperson. It is expected that the Gardener will work within and across their Section and with other staff in Landscape Management to perform their primary tasks.

Essential Duties :

Technical Responsibilities :

• Care for and maintain all plant beds and their surrounding landscapes in an assigned Section according to an established schedule to organizational standards. Monitor landscape plants for insects and diseases.
• Perform pruning, weeding, planting, mulching, irrigation, raking, leaf-blowing, sweeping, basic irrigation system maintenance, and other related tasks.
• Prepare landscape beds for planting. Plant annuals, perennials, bulbs, woody plants and trees in compliance with approved design. Perform all manner of horticultural care, routine and seasonal maintenance, cultivation, transplanting, and pruning as necessary.
• Install and repair fence as needed and as directed
• Support waste management operation by picking up and performing proper disposal of trash in landscapes, paths, and perimeter; empties trash cans as necessary; sweep around benches, stairs and entryways
• Perform snow removal and ice mitigation on paths, entrances, playgrounds, perimeter, and other hard surfaces with machines and hand labor to provide appropriate levels of access as per established organizational standards
• Maintain surface drainage by keeping catch basins free of debris during heavy rainstorms and snow and ice in the winter months

Collaboration & Communication :

Related Work :

Qualifications :

A certificate from a horticulture or botanical program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or a bachelor's degree from accredited college in a related field; or Two years of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in caring for trees, shrubs, perennial and annual plant material, and lawns; or Satisfactory combination of education and / or experience that is equivalent to #2 above. Possess a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of gardening; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals. Valid Drivers' License that must be maintained for duration of employment Ability to identify ornamental and native plant material specific to the northeast US Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed Ability to lift 50lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions

Additional Qualifications for Assignment to Gardener II :

Satisfactory combination of education and / or experience as described above that is equivalent to 5 years of continued increase in responsibility in gardening. Proficient understanding and working knowledge of gardening; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals. Ability to provide guidance and act as an informal resource for technical gardening tasks to colleagues and volunteers. Ability to provide verbal and written communication to effectively share technical gardening responsibilities. CPC Internal Candidates a. Demonstrated full proficiency of essential job duties b. Satisfactory performance evaluation.

Salary ranges (based on level of experience) : Gardener I : $48,000 - $59,800 Gardener II : $55,000 $69,000

Note : This is an in-person (not remote role).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion :

The Central Park Conservancy's work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potential dangerous condition, he / she should alert other employees and notify his / her supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.