Botanical Garden Maintainer Horticulture (Full-Time/Union)
Code No. 92810
General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities
Under general supervision, performs responsible maintenance and repair of botanical garden grounds, equipment, and facilities; performs related work.
Assists the Gardeners in maintaining and caring for living collections in the Garden and Arboretum, performs related work as required.
Keeps records and prepares reports on work performed and materials used.
Examples of Typical Tasks
Maintenance and repair of grounds, property, greenhouses, path, sidewalks and other equipment, structures, and facilities in a botanical garden (which includes snow removal and assistance with garbage pick-up).
Under general supervision assists the Gardeners in the following tasks:
- Preparation of soil and seed beds. Grades, sods, weeds, mulches and mows lawns. Assists in repairing damaged planted areas, fertilizing and watering soil. Is trained in pruning and spraying trees, shrubs and plants and assists with integrated pest control.
- Performs groundskeeping tasks such as mowing, trimming and edging, turf renovation, leaf collection, pruning, litter and debris removal, ice and snow removal, perimeter sidewalk cleaning
- Operation and care of hand and power gardening tools and equipment. Makes necessary operating adjustments to and repairs and maintains same
- Manages 88 station inground 2-wire irrigation system with computer controller. Performs electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, scheduling, programming, cleaning, and troubleshooting system alarms
- Keeps records and prepares reports on work performed and materials used
- Drives vehicles and operates any other motorized equipment incidental to the performance of duties
- Assists in and performs tasks such as digging up, balling, burlapping and transplanting trees and shrubs. Digs up and transplants sod.
- Performs tasks involved in maintenance and operations of greenhouses and nurseries.
- Supervises subordinate seasonal employees as well as volunteers
- As directed, performs various tasks in connection with cleaning of grounds including removal of snow, trash and other obstructions and painting of fixtures and equipment
Qualification Requirements
High school graduation and three (3) years of experience in professional landscaping, gardening work, and equipment maintenance and repair.
Appointments or Promotions
Appointments to positions of this class are subject to personnel administration policies and procedures of the botanical garden concerned, provided that all appointees must possess at least the qualifications recommended above.
License Requirements
A motor vehicle operator’s license valid in New York State at time of appointment and ability to maintain.
Additional Requirements
- May involve weekend, evening and emergency (for example, snow removal) work
- Machine and equipment operation and maintenance, small and large, including leaf blowers, string trimmers, edgers, aerator, rototiller, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, walk behind mowers, zero turn mowers, tractor, skid steer, excavator, pickup truck, dump truck, woodchipper, utility vehicle, electric golf cart, snow plows, snow blowers,
- Performs heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions,
- May be required to pass a written and/or practical test
Strength in several of the following is desired
- Excellent record keeping, communication (both verbal and written), and interpersonal skills
- Training staff in proper use of equipment
- Training and working alongside subordinate staff
- Organizing and leading volunteer groups
Roman type is generally taken directly from the New York City job description. Italics have been added for clarification for Queens Botanical Garden. Some language in this description is taken from other City titles.
Schedule
This is a full-time Union position with benefits. This position requires a 40 hour/week Sunday through Thursday 7am-4pm schedule.
Salary
Hiring rate: $53,997; Incumbent Rate: $62,097; Maximum: $79,276
For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our
Career Center.
If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources at hr@queensbotanical.org.
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