Location: Brooklyn,NY, USA
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. We deliver 1.1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water per day to 8.5 million New York City residents and more than 1 million people in Upstate New York, and we collect and treat an average of 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater per day.
DEP is in partnership with various City agencies to construct systems of Green Infrastructure Rain Gardens, for the purposes of stormwater capture and improved water quality of NYC waterways. The majority of Rain Gardens are sited in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. DEP is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of these assets. Green Infrastructure (GI) Rain Gardens combine engineered stormwater capture with natural elements of soil and plants, and require particular and specialized care and maintenance.
The Green Infrastructure Maintenance Unit is seeking to employ an experienced Gardener I to join their team of Green Infrastructure professionals. Under the direction of the supervising Gardener II, the Gardener I will be responsible for supervising seasonal and full time City Park Workers in the daily maintenance of rain gardens, storm water greenstreets, enhanced tree pits and Pump Stations. The daily tasks include but are not limited to litter removal, sediment removal and leaf raking. The Gardener I will observe and note deficiencies in each green infrastructure asset and report to supervision as necessary. Under the direction of the supervising gardener, the selected candidates will condition or replace soil and gravel; correct uneven soil, slumping and fill in seepage holes in green infrastructure assets; removes weeds, plants and transplants trees, shrubs and ground cover plantings in rain gardens, stormwater greenstreets and enhanced tree pits. The Gardener I will maintain a daily record of activities and may record data on a handheld electronic device.
This position requires the performance of arduous labor in varying weather conditions and physical labor; bending, pulling, pushing, stooping and standing for long periods.
Must wear PPE DUST MASKS, SAFETY GLASSES, AND PROTECTIVE GEAR
Minimum Qualifications
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.
Preferred Skills
Excellent Communication Skills. Supervisory experience is preferred.
55a Program
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.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
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.