Assistant Botanical Garden Maintainer (Horticulture) (Full-Time/Union)

Assistant Botanical Garden Maintainer (Horticulture) (Full-Time/Union)

Code No. 92805

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

Under supervision, assists in the general 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.

Examples of Typical Tasks

May assist in the 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 supervision assists the Gardeners in the following tasks:

• Assists in preparation of soil and seed beds.  Receives training to grade, sod, weed, mulch and mow 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.
• Assists in and performs tasks involved in operation and care of hand and power gardening tools and equipment.  Makes necessary operating adjustments to same; reports needs for repairs and replacements to supervisor.
• Assists with maintenance of irrigation systems
• Performs simple recordkeeping and prepares simple written reports.
• 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.
• Assists in and performs tasks involved in maintenance and operations of greenhouses and nurseries.
• May supervise 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.

May on occasion meet with public, including school system classes and teachers attending botanical garden instruction programs, and advises on the location of displays, display areas, buildings and exhibits, or on the arrangement and direction for public instruction groups.

Qualification Requirements

Elementary school graduation and one (1) year of full time experience in professional landscaping, or gardening work. 

Appointments or Promotions

Appointments to positions of this class are subject to personnel administration policies and procedures of the botanical garden, provided that all appointees must possess at least the qualifications recommended above.

License Requirements

A Motor Vehicle Driver’s License valid in the State of New York at time of appointment and ability to maintain.

Additional Requirements

• May involve weekend, evening and emergency (for example, snow removal) work
  Ability to use and operate standard landscaping power and hand tools,
  Performs heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions,
  May be required to pass a written and/or practical test,
  Good communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

Strength in several of the following is desired

• Experience and ability to use and perform basic maintenance of lawn mowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers
• Experience and ability to use and perform basic maintenance of chainsaw, backhoe/frontloader, chipper, and other botanical garden tools and equipment
• Experience in operating and maintaining in-ground irrigation systems

Note: 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