NYC Parks is the steward of over 30,000 acres of land 14 percent of New York City including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks.

The Division of Environment and Planning aims to protect, restore, and expand New York City's green spaces and natural areas to maximize their benefits for environmental and community health and resilience. The Natural Resources Group within Environment and Planning manages over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and has secured tens of millions of dollars of grant from state, federal and private sources over the past decades to fund the restoration and management across these ecosystems.

Employees who work for 6 months or longer are eligible for healthcare benefits. All seasonal employees earn sick and annual leave. All employees receive free membership to our recreation centers.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under general supervision, plan and lead natural areas management work, including identifying and protecting native species, identifying and controlling invasives, identifying and mitigating erosion concerns, removing debris and trash, planting and maintaining planting sites, improving trails and application of herbicide. Work may be performed in multiple habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands.
- Train and supervise crewmembers in completing restoration tasks including but not limited to identifying and removing invasive plants, planting native species, identifying and mitigating erosion concerns, and establishing and care of planting sites.
- Train and supervise crew members in proper use and care of equipment and materials including two-cycle equipment such as hedge-trimmers and chainsaws, and specialty hand tools such as pick mattocks and McLeods.
- Coordinate with other staff to plan and participate in community volunteer stewardship events in natural areas, including planting, site maintenance, trail improvements and clean-ups.
- Maintain records and prepare written reports, including the daily entry of fieldwork into web-based databases.
- Utilize mapping platforms such as ArcGIS and data on ArcGIS Online to create and update maps, track work progress and communicate across teams, as well as to partners across the Agency and outside the Agency such as conservancies.
- Coordinate on-site restoration efforts with park managers, local community groups and other agencies.
- Interact with staff and the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Duration: October 2025 to June 30, 2026
Location: TBD
40 hour work week

HOW TO APPLY:
Go to cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 726481.
All applicants must apply via cityjobs.nyc.gov. The City is no longer using ESS to accept applications.
*Current City Employees please include your ERN and Job ID# on your cover letter and resume.

Fees: Hired candidates will be subject to a processing fee of $85.00. Hired candidates who are not currently employed by the City will be subject to a $101.25.00 background check fee.

References will be required upon request. We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

nyc.gov/parks
MOVEMENT IN THE FACE OF CIVIL SERVICE LISTS IS PROHIBITED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
For information about applying for Civil Service Exams go to: Civil Service Exams - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (nyc.gov)

GARDENER - 81310

1. One year of full-time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following planting, cultivating and caring for trees, plants shrubs and lawns; or

2. A certificate from a horticulture or botanic program containing college-level courses, such as programs offered by the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, etc.; or

3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to 1 above. Thirty semester credits from an accredited college, at least fifteen of which must be in horticulture, agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, botany, landscape design or architecture, entomology, forestry, floriculture, plant production and/or crop management, may be substituted for the one year of the work experience described in 1 above.

4. To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, after meeting the qualification requirements for Gardener - Assignment Level I, candidates must have one additional year of satisfactory, full time experience in gardening work, including experience in each of the following areas: propagating, planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs and lawns. To be appointed or assigned to Gardener - Assignment Level II, candidates must have a Commercial Pesticide Applicator - Category 3A License issued by the New York State Department of Environmental conservation. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Driver License Requirement: A motor vehicle driver license valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

1. Two years of full-time experience in ecological restoration work, including experience in: planting, cultivating and caring for native forest plants removal of invasive plants by mechanical, chemical and manual means, or 2. Bachelor’s or graduate degree with emphasis in botany, ecology, forestry, wildlife management or related field. 3. Experience supervising field crews 4. Expert in identifying both native and invasive plant species of the northeastern United States. 5. Ability to safely lift 50 lbs. of weight.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required for all other candidates.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.