New York Botanical Garden Careers - Gardener

TitleReports to

GardenerManager of Nolen Greenhouses

Application deadline for this position is August 18, 2025

Position Summary:

Under supervision and as directed, propagates, develops and maintains a diversity of plants grown at the Nolen Greenhouses including propagating plants for exhibitions and seasonal displays, installing and de-installing exhibitions and seasonal displays, and maintaining permanent plant collections.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains a diverse collection of herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, vines throughout the glasshouses and exhibitions including tasks such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, soil preparation and tool maintenance.
• Cares for specialized plant material in the glasshouses including tasks such as planting, transplanting, preparation of soils, propagation, moving, grooming, watering, fertilizing, propagation and training of exhibition plants and permanent collections.
• Performs tasks related to the installation and de-installation of plant material for special exhibitions and displays.
• Assists with and performs tasks related to the maintenance, cleaning, and operations of greenhouses and required equipment and tools. As directed, performs various tasks in connection with cleaning, maintenance, and equipment related to glasshouse gardening and horticulture
• Assist with IPM work including scouting and pesticide application as necessary. Help to monitor and treat health problems of all plant material including assisting and participating in the pruning, spraying, and general health care of glasshouse plants.
• Inventory of plant material, simple record keeping, and prepare simple written reports as required.
• Supervise junior staff, students, and volunteers instructing them in appropriate horticultural techniques and skills.
• Drive vehicles and other motorized equipment and machinery as necessary to perform daily assignments.
• Perform various tasks in connection with cleaning of grounds and painting of fixtures and equipment as required.

Qualifications:

• Two years 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
• 30 credits in horticulture, agriculture, or a related field from an accredited college or community college and one year of full-time gardening work experience as described above; or
• A certificate from a recognized horticultural or botanical program and one year of full- time gardening work experience as described above.
• Education and/or experience equivalent to any of the above. However, candidates must have at least one year of full-time gardening work experience as described above.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions and to work as part of a team.
• The ability to perform strenuous physical tasks in a variety of conditions.
• A Motor Vehicle Operator's License valid in the State of New York at the time of appointment, or the ability to obtain within three months.
• Commercial Pesticide Applicator-Category 3A License issued by the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation at time of appointment or the ability to obtain such within six months of hire.
• Some weekend work and overtime required

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors and under glass in all weather conditions in all seasons, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, operate lifts and other machinery, climb ladders, use hand tools and power equipment, and lift and\or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to perform tasks repetitively.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Baseline Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Must be able to occasionally work on weekends when scheduled.

Must be available to work some overtime as needed throughout the year.

Salary: $64,852; *($74,580)

• Current Garden union employees that have been employed for 2 years qualify for the higher salary rate. If a non-Garden and non-union applicant is appointed, they will be eligible to advance to the higher incumbent rate after two years.

Benefits:

• 15 Vacation Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 10 Sick Days
• Health Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at ....

EOE/BIPOC/F/Persons with disabilities/Veterans