What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Garden Assistant position at Queens Botanical Garden Society?
Seasonal Garden Assistant
About This Opportunity
The Horticulture Department seeks individuals with an interest in public horticulture to assist with gardening work during the 2025 growing season. Duties and responsibilities include assisting horticulture staff in the planting, cultivating, and care of trees, shrubs, flowers and other flora as well as leading a group of 5-6 student youth in these same tasks for 6 weeks in July and August.
Responsibilities include:
- Seed starting, direct seeding, and transplanting
- Preparing soil, planting, weeding and mulching
- Fertilizing and watering
- Pruning and grooming trees, shrubs and plants
- Mowing Lawns
- Operating and caring for hand and power gardening tools and equipment
- Sharpening and general upkeep of grounds tools
- Garden Assistants must be available to supervise teens as part of the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) in July and August
- Under the supervision of QBG horticulture staff, Garden Assistants will be expected to work with volunteers who may come to us as individuals or as part of a group
Qualifications
- One year of experience and/or training in gardening work, including planting, cultivating, and caring for trees, plants, shrubs and lawns
- A high school diploma or GED
- A Motor Vehicle Driver’s License valid in the state of New York
- Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely
- Ability to perform diverse, sometimes repetitive, tasks that can be physically demanding including kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching
- Willingness to learn about use of tools and equipment
- Good interpersonal skills
- Bilingual language skills, English and a second language, a plus
- Experience working with youth and leading groups a plus
Schedule & Salary
This is a part-time seasonal position. Positions are available for up to 28 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday, March 25th through November 21st and may include some weekend work.
Salary: $20/hour
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 hr@queensbotanical.org.
Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination strongly recommended for employment.
Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (physical or mental), age, marital status, veteran/active military service member status, political affiliation, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, genetic information, immigration or citizenship status, status as victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, employment/unemployment status, salary history, credit history, marital/partnership stratus, caregiver status, height and weight, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email or phone 718-886-3800 x 203.
Salary : $20
