Gardener I or II - Sections

Reports to: Section Manager

Department: Park Operations

Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic 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 that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $2 billion in the restoration of the Park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of the Park’s care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs approximately 400 people and has an operating budget of $120 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, playgrounds, 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:

• Work closely with volunteers and seasonal interns
• Cooperate with other staff within the department and other department personnel in completing assigned tasks
• Display the necessary initiative and dependability to work alone or in a team
• Ensure  supervision is informed on important developments concerning assigned landscape management tasks
• Keep records and makes simple written reports
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and other software applications
• Interact with Park patrons and colleagues in a professional manner and answer plant identification questions
• Support general landscape maintenance of the overall Section and assist in the preparation of special events as needed

Related Work:

• Operate various types of equipment including utility vehicle, light or medium weight trucks and tractors
• Maintain tools and equipment in good working order and report items that require repair
• Participate in all training sessions and seminars
• Provide reports of malfunctioning infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, and quality of life issues
• Perform related work as assigned 

Qualifications:

1.    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
2.    A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a related field; or
3.    Two years of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in caring for trees, shrubs, perennial and annual plant material, and lawns; or
4.    Satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to #3 above. 
5.    Possess a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of urban gardening in a park setting; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals.
6.    Ability to apply and adapt best practices for the care and maintenance of landscapes in an urban park setting using environmentally responsible horticultural practices.
7.    Valid Drivers’ License that must be maintained for duration of employment
8.    Ability to identify ornamental and native plant material specific to the northeast US
9.    Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed
10.    Ability to lift 50lbs. and perform heavy physical labor daily in all weather conditions

Additional Qualifications for Assignment to Gardener II:

1.    A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience as described above that is equivalent to 5 years of continued increase in responsibility in gardening.
2.    Proficient understanding and working knowledge of gardening; ornamental and native plant cyclical care including planting, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, transplanting, and removals.
3.    Ability to use the understanding of site setting, design intent, environmental conditions, and ecological relations to guide horticultural care and maintenance across landscapes. 
4.    Ability to provide guidance and act as an informal resource for technical gardening tasks to colleagues and volunteers.
5.    Ability to provide verbal and written communication to effectively share technical gardening responsibilities.
6.    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 in-person position (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 comply 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 potentially 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.